​Dear ASD-S Families,

With the increase of new COVID-19 cases confirmed around our province and the closure of a high school north of the province due to a confirmed case, we understand families may have questions and increased concerns.

Currently we do not have any students or staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 in ASD-S. However, we recognize that this can change any day and we are prepared if someone were to test positive in one or more of our schools. We want families to know what they should expect if a positive case of COVID-19 were confirmed in their child(ren)’s school.

•      IF a ​member of school staff or a student were to test positive for COVID-19, they would be required to self-isolate. Public Health would then notify the District. We would inform parents/guardians of students at that school, as well as our staff, that there is a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in their school community. The identity of a confirmed case would not be shared for privacy reasons.

•        Public Health would work with the person who tested positive and their family, with assistance from the school and the District, to perform contact tracing to identify anyone who would be considered a “close contact” of that person. Individuals must meet certain criteria to be considered a “close contact”; every student at school would not automatically be considered at risk of exposure to the virus.

•        IF your child(ren) were determined to be a close contact of the person who tested positive, you would be informed right away by Public Health and provided further information on self-isolation and testing.

•       Contact tracing information will help Public Health to determine the next steps. They may require self-isolation of an individual or several individuals, a classroom or multiple classrooms, or a whole school population. If your child is required to self-isolate, you will be notified.

Some families may be experiencing concern and anxiety at this time. Families are encouraged to talk to their children about any worries and remind them to treat one another with kindness and respect.

As always, we must continue good hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette; remaining home and calling 811 if we are feeling ill; and practicing physical distancing and mask use when we are outside of our bubbles. Please note, although this week there is a new provincial mask requirement for public spaces, the mask requirements in schools have not changed.

We thank you for your continued support and hope you enjoy a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend,

Zoё  Watson

Superintendent