The South East Cornerstone Public School Division has announced that the Estevan Comprehensive School and the Weyburn Comprehensive School will return to Level 2 (full attendance for students every day), starting Thursday.
In a press release, Cornerstone said the safety of all staff and students has been their collective priority during the pandemic.
“Our school division has worked in cooperation and support with Public Health officials to develop and implement safety protocols. The restrictions across the system have been successful in that we have had instances where individuals attended the school(s) while infectious however there has been no known spread in any facility.”
In November, given the rise in cases across the province and positivity rates, Dr. Saqib Shahab, chief medical health officer, recommended that all high schools with a student population of over 600 operate at Level 3 to reduce school population and ensure limited exposure.
The school division says it has continued to work with health partners both at the local and provincial level. We have been in discussions and studying the trends over the last several weeks.
The positive case numbers in our area are very low and have remained low for several weeks. “We had been contemplating a gradual return of students with a review of the cases. However, as the numbers have remained low and in conjunction with our established plans to transition between levels seamlessly as needed, we are preparing to move to Level 2,” the school division said.
Staff members have been anxious to have students return full-time and look forward to full classrooms. Please know that it will take some transition time for the staff once all students are back.
As per the SECPSD Health and Safety Plan, if there are positive cases in classrooms, the division will move to Level 4, remote learning, if directed by Ministry of Health partners following contact tracing. Processes are in place for a smooth transition between levels as needed.
We are hopeful that the positive rate will remain low and manageable in our area.”
In conjunction with health partners, the division will continue to monitor the area and study metrics should a return to Level 3 be required.
“We are prepared to move nimbly to ensure safety of all,” the division said.
“We believe strongly that the best place for students to be is in a classroom in front of a teacher. We will do our utmost to have this happen in a safe environment for all.”
The division asks parents to please contact their school administration if they have questions regarding their child’s return.
