Dear ASD-S
Families,
The
following is information from the Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development regarding the new rapid COVID testing program announced today. This
will be implemented in our schools when there is a confirmed COVID-19
case starting October 12, 2021.
- - -
October 5,
2021
New Rapid Testing Program (COVID-19)
Students and
Families,
Given the
current situation of the pandemic, the Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development has collaborated with Public Health on the development of
a new rapid testing program for schools to minimize disruption to learning due
to outbreaks of COVID-19.
Starting
October 12, unvaccinated students identified as close contacts with
a confirmed case will receive rapid test boxes and instructions. Test boxes
will be distributed to parents directly by the school or district.
Students will
be required to self-isolate for a period of at least 24 hours, during which
time they are to take the first two tests. Unless otherwise advised by Public
Health, students will be able to return to school as soon as they have two
negative tests with no symptoms.
Students who
do not participate in the program will be required to self-isolate and follow
Public Health guidelines. Also, they will not take part in blended or online
learning, but will be provided with homework or other projects.
Students and
school staff, regardless of their vaccination status, who are identified as
close contacts and who receive a positive result of COVID-19 or who present
with ONE symptom, must stay at home and contact Public Health to receive a PCR
test.
It was also
announced today that additional measures will be implemented for communities in
zones 1, 4 and the northern portion of zone 3. This is for your information only, as ASD-S is in zone 2.
All schools in those regions will remain open. However, additional
measures will be in place. Sports and extracurricular activities will be paused
for children under the age of 12 who cannot be vaccinated in those zones. For
students aged 12 and over, extracurricular activities may continue for those
who are vaccinated, but no spectators will be allowed during sports or school
activities (indoors or outdoors) in these areas. In accordance with public
health travel guidelines, there will be no travel between those areas.
Since the
beginning of the pandemic, partners across government have worked together to
modify and adapt plans based on new research, experiences and evolving
circumstances and will continue to do so throughout the 2021-22 school year.
Families need
to be prepared for the fact that outbreak management decisions will continue to
be made on a case-by-case basis. This means that students will likely have to
continue distance learning at certain times in the coming year, in accordance
with public health guidelines or for operational reasons.
We are aware
of the upheavals that these new measures can cause. We must continue to work
together to enable our students to continue learning in healthy and safe
schools.
George Daley
Deputy Minister