All public schools in Halifax Regional Municipality and surrounding areas not already doing so will close Tuesday and start preparations to move to at-home learning as of Thursday.
This move affects all pre-primary children and grades primary to 12 public school students in Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE), as well as Conseil scolaire acadian provincial (CSAP) schools and Chignecto Central's schools in the Enfield, Elmsdale and Mount Uniacke areas.
Nova Scotia's Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution and in consultation with public health.
"Moving schools in HRM and surrounding areas to at-home learning is a necessary step at this important juncture," said Derek Mombourquette in a news release. "I know this will be difficult for some families, but Nova Scotians have shown time and time again that they'll step up in our fight against this virus."
The province's chief medical officer of health added, even though he feels the best place for students is in the classroom, given the fact that cases continue to climb, he supports the decision.
"If we all do our part, our kids may be able to return to the classroom soon," said Dr. Robert Strang.
More information about a return to school date is expected by May 7.
As of Monday afternoon, since April 18, there have been 26 COVID-19 cases connected to schools in the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.
The Auburn Drive, Cole Harbour District, Dartmouth High and Prince Andrew families of schools already planned to move to online learning for the next two weeks, along with the Dartmouth campus of the Bedford & Forsyth Education Centres and St. Joseph's - Alexander McKay Elementary.
With community spread confirmed in the Halifax area, the Nova Scotia Teachers' Union sent out a statement earlier today questioning why so many students were still expected to go to school.
"All of us recognize that in-person learning is far superior to virtual learning and we’ve been fortunate to have had eight months of uninterrupted public education inside our provincial bubble," said NSTU president Paul Wozney. "However, circumstances have changed with the emergence of new and more dangerous variants. Our top priority must be stopping the spread and saving lives.”
"Where community spread is present, schools are not healthy learning environments right now," he added. "Teachers, parents, and students are scared."
However, an emailed statement from the Provincial Pediatric Advisory Committee sent out Monday morning said at-home learning should be considered a last resort as closing schools has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of children.
"Children’s mental health has suffered across all ages, especially amongst teenagers and adolescents, while younger children are at risk of missing important developmental phases in terms of speech, language, and socialization," the statement said.
"Children with underlying learning disorders are significantly affected as they may not have access to important services and resources."
The committee also pointed out some children rely on the medical care provided by schools along with meal programs.
A statement from HRCE's regional executive director of education, Elwin LeRoux, says any families in need of food can call 211 to arrange a free food box delivery from Feed Nova Scotia.
In addition to all of the schools in HRCE, the following CSAP and CCRCE schools will move to at-home learning:
- École Bois-Joli, Dartmouth
- École des Beaux-Marais, Porters Lake
- École Beaubassin, Halifax
- École du Carrefour, Dartmouth
- École du Grand-Portage, Lower Sackville
- École Mer et Monde, Halifax
- École secondaire du Sommet, Halifax
- École secondaire Mosaïque, Dartmouth
- Enfield District Elementary, Enfield
- Elmsdale District Elementary, Elmsdale
- Hants East Rural High, Milford Station
- Maple Ridge Elementary, Lantz
- Riverside Education Centre, Milford
- Uniacke District School, Mount Uniacke
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMif2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmhhbGlmYXh0b2RheS5jYS9sb2NhbC1uZXdzL2FsbC1wdWJsaWMtc2Nob29scy1pbi10aGUtaGFsaWZheC1hcmVhLXRvLXN0YXJ0LWF0LWhvbWUtbGVhcm5pbmctbGF0ZXItdGhpcy13ZWVrLTM2NjYzMDbSAYMBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaGFsaWZheHRvZGF5LmNhL2FtcC9sb2NhbC1uZXdzL2FsbC1wdWJsaWMtc2Nob29scy1pbi10aGUtaGFsaWZheC1hcmVhLXRvLXN0YXJ0LWF0LWhvbWUtbGVhcm5pbmctbGF0ZXItdGhpcy13ZWVrLTM2NjYzMDY?oc=5
2021-04-26 17:41:00Z
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