Schools To Close For Remainder Of School Year On March 20th
It is something which many parents and the Official Opposition has called for and now the Province of Saskatchewan will be taking action by closing all high and elementary schools for the remainder of the school year effective March 20th. The Province has kept the schools open based upon the professional advice of the Chief Medical Officer.
Schools are now closing as a precautionary measure to stop the spread of Novel Coronavirus COVID - 19 there is no evidence at this time there are any confirmed cases within the school systems and the risk of transmission remains low.
According to a news release from March 16 to March 19, pre K-12 classes will wind down. This means that parents who are able to keep children home should do so immediately, with no absence or grade impacts. Parents with limited childcare options have a window to plan for class suspensions.
The province based its decision to keep the schools open until March 20th on the advice of the Chief Medical Health Officer who indicated on March 15th that school closures would be based on a number of factors including:
• Evidence of sustained transmission within the community;
• Rapid increase of local cases; and
• Transmission without a known link to travel or confirmed cases.
In the release the province stated “There continues to be no evidence that any of the above three criteria have been met. Children remaining in schools between March 16 and March 19 face a low risk of exposure to COVID-19. A preventative approach of proactive school closures beginning March 20 means reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.”
Every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade, and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate. The Ministry of Education and School Divisions will work with Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Institutions to adapt entry requirements for programs commencing in the next academic year.
Teachers and staff can work from home or in schools as scheduled during the class cancellations. For the rest of the scheduled school year, the Ministry of Education will work with School Divisions and Saskatchewan Teachers to implement a supplemental curriculum program through distance and alternative learning methods. While this supplemental curriculum will have no impact on final grades, it will ensure that students seeking to continue learning will have the resources necessary to do so.
These measures apply to daycares that are co-located with schools, but do not apply to licensed daycare facilities outside of schools. Further measures regarding licensed daycare facilities are being considered and will be implemented at a later date, the release stated.
Officials are currently examining options to provide childcare services for individuals that are providing essential services during the COVID-19 response.
COVID-19 Information From The Province:
If you have recently travelled internationally and are experiencing respiratory or flu-like symptoms, please call HealthLine 811.
For the latest advice to the public and information on prevention measures being taken, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus.
Public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.