Superintendent’s Office
October 30, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Pandemic response planning for schools has focused on the safety and health of students, staff, and families while ensuring reasonable measures are in place to minimize the risk of transmission and exposure to the virus in school settings.
As per the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, effective Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, the Southern Health-Santé Sud Region will be operating in the Restricted Level (orange) of the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. For additional information regarding today’s announcement, please view a description of the orange level in the Pandemic Response System Levels for Schools.
Pandemic Response Levels
Prior to this announcement, schools in the Winnipeg Metro Region, which includes Landmark and Niverville, were already in the Restricted Level (orange). Although the Winnipeg Metro Region is now shifting to Critical Level (red), Landmark and Niverville schools will remain at the orange level. There is no change in the recently announced plans for these schools while in orange/restricted. As a result of today’s announcement, all remaining HSD schools in Blumenort, Bothwell, Grunthal, Kleefeld, Mitchell, and Steinbach will shift from Caution Level (yellow) to Restricted Level (orange).
Grades K-8
To ensure continuity of learning during the Restricted Level (orange), HSD will offer temporary remote learning for Gr. K-8 students who can be supported to learn at home. In-class learning will continue to be provided at school. The temporary remote learning option for Gr. K-8 will be available beginning Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, and will be in place while our schools are in the Restricted Level (orange). The remote learning approach relies on the parent/caregiver to monitor the engagement and completion of required independent work. Students will be required to participate daily in learning and assessment with minimum standards. Your child’s school will send further correspondence next week.
In order to facilitate school-level planning and implementation, we are requesting parents/guardians of children in Gr. K-8 to inform us of their choice – temporary remote learning or in-class learning. Parents/Guardians will receive a separate email (response form) later today, one for each eligible child in Gr. K-8. Upon receiving the response form, please indicate your selection by 4:00 pm on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020.
Grades 9-12
Gr. 9-12 will continue to operate using their current model. There are no changes.
Halloween
With Halloween approaching, be sure to have your family be COVID CAREFUL. With a few extra precautions this year, you can ensure everyone has a ‘spooktacular’ time while keeping safe. Manitoba Public Health has provided some safety tips for trick-or-treating and handing out candy this weekend.
Thank you once again for your commitment to student safety, doing your part to ensure learning continues for all. As partners in your children’s education, we appreciate your cooperation and willingness to adapt and respond to the evolving conditions.
Respectfully,
Shelley Amos, Interim Superintendent/CEO
Hanover School Division
For additional COVID-19 information, please visit HSD.ca/COVID19