There will be no classes tomorrow for students at four high schools in the Charlottetown region as they prepare to move classes online.
Norbert Carpenter acting director of P.E.I. Public Schools Branch (PSB) made the announcement in an unscheduled news briefing Sunday evening after chief public health officer, Dr, Heather Morrison announced four new cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. Sunday afternoon.
Schools impacted are Charlottetown Rural Regional High School, Colonel Gray Senior High School, Bluefield High School and Grades 10 - 12 at Ecole Francois Buote.
The decision comes as the province moved to a “modified yellow” phase for the next 14-days to tamp down the spread of COVID-19.
“(In) high schools, it’s very, very difficult to cohort in a way that would mitigate the risk if there were potential cases,” said Carpenter, adding elementary and intermediate level schools are able to maintain cohorts.
“It has everything to do with the programming and the nature of how high school runs, so out of an abundance of caution, we do want to make sure we’re doing everything we can from the PSB in conjunction with the CPHO,” said Carpenter.
High school students in the Charlottetown area will transition to online learning starting Tuesday. There will be no classes Monday as teachers prepare for the switch.
Special education programming will be available, said Carpenter. Additionally, any student who needs a device from school in order to learn from home are asked to contact their school.
“This situation is fluid, so I would remind people to always keep their ear to the ground and listen for any changes that may come on suddenly,” said Carpenter.
School websites and social media will have information for parents and students in the coming days, said Carpenter.
Younger students in intermediate and elementary schools across the Island will continue classes as normal on Monday.
However, before and after school activities will be paused for the next 14 days at all public schools, said Carpenter.
Busing will be a little different without high school students, and buses may arrive a little earlier than usual. Carpenter compared it to days the high school students have exams.
As restaurants and public spaces restrict the number of people allowed inside, Carpenter encouraged students to plan to eat lunch at school. Students will still be allowed to leave school property as usual for now, but that could change, said Carpenter.
“Packing a lunch is always a great idea but it’s even more important now as as options for our intermediate students are limited due to restrictions on dining inside restaurants,” he said.
Lunch programs are continuing as planned, said Carpenter.
Also, there will be no community use of school facilities for the next two weeks, said Carpenter.
