Important Public Health Information: NPSC Schools Closed March 14 to April 5, 2020
Important Public Health Information:
NPSC Schools Closed March 14 to April 5, 2020
March 13 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians
As you are aware, the Premier’s Office has announced that in response to the emergence of COVID-19 in Ontario, all publicly funded schools in Ontario will be closed for two weeks following March Break. As a result, all schools in the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board will be closed from March 14 to April 5, 2020.
Specifically, this means that between Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, April 5, 2020 inclusive:
- All schools will be closed to students, families, volunteers, visitors, and community members / agencies.
- All Community Use of Schools permits and internal school bookings are cancelled.
- All student transportation to and from schools will be cancelled.
- All childcare centres located in our NPSC schools will be closed.
- All before and after school programs located in our schools will be cancelled.
- The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) which was scheduled to be administered on March 31, will be rescheduled. No date has been selected at this time. Information will be provided as soon as it becomes available. Students who require the test to graduate will be supported.
- NPSC Co-op placements, Dual Credit and SCWI programs are cancelled.
- All practices, tournaments, and competitions for student athletics and arts programs will be cancelled.
- All extracurricular activities will be cancelled.
- All field trips scheduled to occur during this period will be cancelled.
- All Adult and Continuing Education classes and programs are cancelled.
The two-week school closure period after the March Break is intended to be a period during which all students, employees, volunteers, visitors, and families assess themselves and self-monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19, and self-isolate / self-quarantine, where necessary, including following any travel out of the country over the March Break.
This two-week closure is a proactive measure that allows us to do our part to protect our students, families and community. We encourage families to stay informed by monitoring the Public Health websites listed below and remain vigilant regarding hand hygiene and cough / sneeze etiquette.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority, and we will continue working with local Public Health officials to ensure our schools remain clean, safe and welcoming in anticipation of the re-opening of schools in April. In that spirit, proactive measures are being taken and a deep cleaning and disinfecting of all schools will be completed during the March Break.
We ask all parents and guardians to continue monitoring our board website for up-to-date information.
As a faith community, we offer prayers for the safety and well-being of our students, their families, staff, board members and all those around the world who may have been affected by COVID-19.
March 9 2020
Public Health Info: COVID-19
The health and well-being of all students, staff, volunteers and community members is a priority for the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC). NPSC works in collaboration with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit on issues related to public health, including COVID-19.
The following usual precautions are recommended to reduce the risk of transmission of the flu and respiratory illnesses:
• Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Cough and sneeze into the bend of your arm, not into your hand
• If you use a tissue, throw it away immediately and wash your hands
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes with your hands
• Get plenty of rest, eat healthy and stay physically active to keep your immune system strong
• Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with other people until you are better
• If you have not already done so, get the yearly influenza vaccination
• If you suspect that you are sick, avoid visiting people in long-term care, or individuals with health concerns
• If your symptoms feel worse than a common cold (for example, fever, cough, difficulty breathing) and you have travelled to an affected area within 14 days of symptom onset, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or contact our local public health unit.
At this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the public health risk as low for Canada. Please see the resources listed below for the most up to date information related to COVID-19.
• North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit – https://www.myhealthunit.ca/
• Ontario Ministry of Health: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
• Public Health Ontario: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/
• Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
• Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisory: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/210
• The World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
If you have additional questions, please contact the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit.
Additional Resources:
• Ministry of Health COVID-19 Fact Sheet (pdf)
• Did you wash your hands? (pdf)
• How to use Sanitizer poster (pdf)
• Cover your cough (pdf)
• Hand Hygiene Fact Sheet (pdf)