​January 05, 2021

Dear ASD-S Families,

With the increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick, the province is moving to the Orange phase of recovery as of tonight, midnight January 5. We understand that this move to Orange may raise questions and concerns for some families.

Our move to the Orange phase requires enhanced safety measures for our staff and students and our schools’ Operational Plans outline very specific ways they are working to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the schools. Operational Plans can be found on each school’s website. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has created this document, with Public Health, outlining the updated safety protocols, which include increased mask use at all grade levels and limiting of certain activities. Extra-curricular music activities, such as choir, band, and field trips, are not permitted at this time. Please take the time to review this document for full details.

As a reminder, during the Orange phase, students from K-12 are required to wear a mask on the bus. Students K-8 must wear masks at all times in school unless eating, sitting quietly at their desk or during physical education class. Students in grades 9-12 must wear a mask at all times in school except when eating or during physical education class. This includes outside, for all grades.

We ask all families to continue reminding students about the importance of hand washing/sanitizing; practicing good cough/sneeze etiquette; physical distancing; bringing 2 clean face masks each day;  and monitoring for symptoms.  If you have symptoms, you can visit this site to do a self-assessment and book a COVID-19 test.

Thank you for your understanding as we work together to follow the safety guidelines provided to us by Public Health and EECD. We understand that some families and students may feel anxious to return to school during the Orange phase. Please know that our staff and students have been doing an exceptional job adhering to safety procedures and we thank them, as well as you for your support, in maintaining protective measures in our schools and on our buses.

We will continue to provide you updates as the situation in our province evolves.

Zoё Watson,

Superintendent

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