Message from the Director Nov. 11, 2021
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe there is only five weeks
until the December break. It has been a busy school year so far with a return
to more normal activities at school. With this return to more typical
activities in our schools, and across the region and province, some challenges
with respect to the management of COVID-19 have emerged in our communities.
Over the past few weeks, we have seen a
considerable increase in cases of COVID-19 in our schools. While most of the
cases are among elementary students who are not currently eligible for
vaccination, cases are also popping up among students’ family and social
circles – siblings, parents, extended family and friends. As we have shared
throughout the pandemic, our schools are a mirror of what is taking place in the
community. KFL&A Public Health has been clear that most cases are being
acquired outside of the school environment where perhaps some protocols have
been relaxed. Naturally, these cases make their way into our schools resulting
in class dismissals, isolation requirements, testing and often a move to remote
or hybrid learning to ensure learning continues for students. In some cases,
this has resulted in outbreaks at some of our schools putting significant
strain on those school communities, and some families in particular. This
has been a stark reminder that this pandemic is not behind us. I would
like to thank all affected school staff, students and families for their
patience, understanding and care to ensure student well-being. I also want
to acknowledge the hardships and challenges that face students, staff, and
families when cases impact a community. During these times, we have to
support each other and do the best we can under very challenging
circumstances. A big thank you to KFL&A Public Health for directing
the response to school cases and outbreaks.
This brings me to how we can all continue to work
together to limit further spread in our communities. As cases continue to spike
in the region, KFL&A Public Health is urgently reminding everyone to take
these key steps:
- Screen daily for symptoms of COVID-19. Public
Health is now reviewing symptom screening and will be expanding the
symptoms in the coming days. More information will be shared in the near
future. Please continue to screen
each day.
- Stay home, isolate, and get tested if you have
any symptoms of COVID-19. KFL&A COVID-19 assessment centres are
offering a less invasive swab for children to help ease the testing
experience.
- Limit indoor social gatherings.
- Stay two metres apart and wear a mask in indoor
public spaces or any time physical distancing is not possible, including
outside.
- Get fully vaccinated.
On a positive note, this
fall saw the return of extracurricular activities in schools. To date thousands
of students have had the opportunity to engage in school-based activities that
were not possible during the first 18 months of the pandemic. Our thanks to
everyone for their patience as we phased in a return to activities in a safe
way. It has been exciting watching students return to sports and events they
love, and that help provide a well-rounded school experience. The fall season
is wrapping up and the winter season is fast approaching.
Having visited several schools during
these first couple of months of school, it is clear that by and large, students
appreciate being back in school and learning and connecting with their
peers. School spirit days and community-minded endeavors like the Terry
Fox Run and Socktober are all important and meaningful ways that
students, staff and families are working together to move beyond the pandemic
and back to some normalcy. This fall we also released the board’s new
three-year Mental Health and Substance Use Strategy, and next week,
students in Grades 4 to 12 will be invited to participate in a school climate survey to gather data that supports
creating a positive school environments.
November is Indigenous Education month
in Limestone. This is a time to celebrate Indigenous cultures, languages,
perspectives, histories, and contemporary experiences on this land.
Schools are engaging in a wide range of learning and activities putting a focus
on ensuring greater understanding of the importance of Truth and
Reconciliation; the legacy of Residential Schools; the importance and value of
Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being; and information about Treaties on
the lands where we live, among other learning.
Finally, today was Remembrance Day. As home to CFB
Kingston, our region and our school board is a proud supporter of our military
members and families. Schools held a variety of ceremonies and events to
commemorate veterans and acknowledge their supreme sacrifice as well as
recognize those who continue to serve. I encourage everyone to take a moment to
reflect and be grateful for the past service, and continued service, of many
members of the community.
As always, thank you for your support of our
important work. The pandemic continues to have an impact, and we must
continue to be vigilant in limiting its reach, and minimize the impact on
school so students can continue to learn, and benefit from what schools provide
for their well-being.
Krishna Burra
Director
of Education