The Sun West School Division has released the following statement to parents and the public regarding the Coronavirus situation:
Please know that our primary concern is the health and safety of our students and staff. In order to address the Covid-19 health situation, school divisions along with the ministries of Education and Health are having bi-weekly conference calls. We are managing operations in accordance with existing board policies and operating procedures according to our pandemic plan, which we have been preparing for in advance.
SCHOOL FACILITIES AND CLASSROOMS
We will be increasing preventative measures in our facilities. We will be introducing additional disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces and staff are following cleaning and sanitizing guidelines provided by the Saskatchewan Health Authority. All students and staff are encouraged to follow thorough hand washing procedures to help stop the spread of viruses. If your child is sick, please keep your child home from school monitoring their situation and contacting your health care provider if necessary. Please follow the advice of our healthcare providers to help protect yourself and others:
● Practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette (into a tissue or the bend of your elbow);
● Wash your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds) with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
● Stay home if you become ill and prevent the spread of the illness;
● Avoid hugging, kissing, shaking hands and high-fiving; and,
● Don't share water bottles, band instruments, eating utensils, personal electronic devices, ear pods, or food.
RETURNING FROM TRAVEL
If you or any members of your household have travelled out of country recently, it is very important that you read the advice and travel guidance that is continuously updated by the Government of Saskatchewan at Saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus. According to the government’s travel guidance, all travellers should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough or difficulty breathing) for 14 days after returning to Canada and avoid places where you cannot easily separate yourself from others if you become ill. If you have even mild symptoms, stay home and call HealthLine 811 for advice. If you have travelled to a country with a level three travel advisory, limit your contact with others for a total of 14 days starting the day you began your journey to Canada. This means self-isolate and stay at home. Contact HealthLine 811 within 24 hours of arriving in Canada for direction.
In addition to the preventative measures at our facilities, we will be looking at not having large gatherings in one room of over 250 people. This may mean restricting large gatherings in our gyms such as pep rallies, assemblies, etc... We will be re-examining our format and activities for professional development days. Decisions on this will be communicated once we have had more time to communicate with stakeholders.
SCHOOL CLOSURE:
Saskatchewan school divisions are required to take direction from the government and at this time there are no school closures. If there is a community outbreak, the Saskatchewan Health Authority will provide direction. This could mean that all community members will be asked to stay home and they recommend school closure. Anyone with questions or seeking more information is asked to visit Saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus for the most up to date information from the province and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Further updates will be provided as necessary.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation,
Dr. Guy G. Tetrault
Director of Education/CEO
