Director of Education Katherine MacIver shared a letter today with all HPE Schools families about enhanced COVID-19 screening. Read more below.
Dear Families:
Enhanced COVID-19 safety measures at schools
The rising case numbers of COVID-19 in our communities have many people concerned. At Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, our intention is to keep students safe and learning at school, working in partnership with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
NEW DAILY SCREENING MEASURES FOR ALL STUDENTS, STAFF AND VISITORS
Beginning December 7, 2021, anyone going to a school must pass the provincial screening tool AND the updated HPE Enhanced Screening Tool (PDF) before going to school.
The updated HPE Enhanced Screening Tool includes the following:
- daily screening for sore throat or difficulty swallowing;
- runny or stuffy nose;
- abdominal pain;
- headache (unusual or long lasting);
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye); or
- decreased/lack of appetite.
If anyone answers 'yes' to any of these symptoms, do not attend school/work until the symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours. Please refer to the attached "Enhanced school measures including screening, effective Tuesday, December 7 (PDF)" from Ethan Toumishey, Acting Medical Officer of Health, for more information.
To help control virus spread, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health has directed local school boards to implement additional safety measures at elementary schools for students, staff and visitors beginning Tuesday, December 7, 2021 until further notice:
- requiring masks for all JK/SK students;
- strict cohorting inside the school. This means only one group at a time in spaces, such as gyms or libraries; and
- cohorting outside at recess and lunch when masks are not worn, or if cohorts are using the same area outside, masks must be worn.
Everyone at Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is working diligently to keep students safe and our schools open. We are responding to confirmed COVID-19 situations as quickly as they arise.
As always, if you have any questions about your child's learning, please contact their teacher, or the school principal.
If you have questions about the enhanced screening, or the additional safety measures put in place by the HPE Public Health, please go to the public health web page School and COVID-19 Guidance for Parents, Guardians and Caregivers.
Thank you for your continued support of your child's school and your assistance in doing all you can to help keep everyone safe.
Sincerely,
Katherine MacIver
Director of Education