March 13, 2020
Dear Families,
As you know, a Ministerial Order issued March 12 will close all elementary and secondary schools from March 14 to April 5, 2020 inclusive in response to the emergence of COVID-19. This is an unprecedented action with several operational and logistical issues to take into consideration.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work together with our partners in public health and other community agencies to prioritize the safety and well-being of the entire Limestone community.
Our senior management team and key departments have met to determine the overall effect of this closure on our operations. The Board has a Pandemic Response Plan that outlines our response during a pandemic. Our overarching priority is always student and staff safety.
Here is what you need to know:
- All schools are closed to students and staff from March 14-April 5.
- All child-care and before and after-school programs located in our schools are closed from March 14-April 5.
- All community use of school rentals are suspended from March 14-April 5.
- This closure is not an extended March Break
What is most important to note is that the extended school closure is not an extension of the March Break. This is not a vacation. Public health officials have ordered this closure to help slow the possible spread of COVID-19 in our community. In addition to hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (cover your cough/sneeze), a key infection control practice is social distancing. We expect that students and families will heed medical advice to limit their contact with others and only perform necessary trips outside of the home.
We know you have many questions and we have provided answers to some of them. There may still be additional questions that require answers and we will work as quickly as we can to update them when new information is available.
We encourage all families to continue to take everyday actions to lower your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 infection, which include:
- washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands;
- avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
when coughing or sneezing:
- covering your mouth and nose with your arm or tissues to reduce the spread of germs;
- immediately dispose of any tissues you have used into the garbage as soon as possible and wash your hands afterward;
- cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as toys, electronic devices, and doorknobs; and
- staying home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
We know an extended school closure is an exceptional step but one that we believe will help stop the spread of COVID-19, and allow our health-care partners to deal with those who are most sick and in need of care.
Please be assured we continue to work with our public health partners to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, families and broader school communities.