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The Hastings Prince Edward District School Board is pledging that students will be safe when they return to school.
Sean Monteith, Director of Education for the Board, says their schools will be safe and clean when they open their doors on Monday. However, they are asking students and staff to self-screen each day.
Due to the new provincial mandate about mandatory masks for grades 1 to 3, the board’s schools will provide masks for these students. The board is also complying with the stay at home order and will have as few people as possible in their offices at this time.
Schools are going to reopen in Bancroft and Area.
The province has announced that both the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board and the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic School Board will be able to return to classes. The ministry of education made the announcement this afternoon.
Education Minister Stephan Lecce says the government is also introducing new health measures, like enhanced screening and mandatory mask-wearing in grades 1-3 and outdoors.
Initially Hastings Prince Edward School Board was considered part of Southern Ontario. However, the Provincial Government previously said that it would review the cases to see if schools could open as soon as their Northern Ontario counterparts. Schools in COVID-19 hotspots, like Toronto and York Region, will remain closed.
(Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
The past year has been a roller coaster ride for everyone, but the education sector had to make some very significant and sudden changes.
Hastings Prince Edward District School Board Director of Education Sean Monteith says the pandemic forced them to make changes that would have taken ten years if it weren’t for COVID-19.
“Education is one of those businesses and sectors that is, in some ways, very resistant to change and so often what happens is when change is suggested in education, it becomes a matter of debate, and I’m not sure sometimes why there is even a debate, it should just be done. Especially when you know certain things are good for kids and the pandemic took the opportunity to debate a lot of things out and said you’ve got to get it done.”
The Hastings Prince Edward District School Board is preparing for an extended winter break.
In a letter from the Director of Education Sean Montieth, the Board says they were informed by a letter from the Ministry of Education earlier this week. But he adds that they have received no indication schools will close. But the Board wants to make sure that if any change comes about, that it goes through smoothly.
Montieth has also said that parents should prepare for a shift to remote learning. He asks them to make sure that there is a working device at home, and that the school board has their correct email for online learning. The Board also asks parents to ensure everything your child’s personal belongings are brought home as well.
Belleville, ON, Canada / Quinte News
Dec 17, 2020 1:19 PM
There are now 45 active cases of COVID-19 in Hastings Prince Edward as two new cases were confirmed today.
Both new cases were transmitted through close contact.
The HPE Public Health Unit says there have been six recoveries while one person remains in hospital.
A new outbreak was also declared by the health unit at Seasons Dufferin Centre in Quinte West.
The long term care centre has one case confirmed so far.
The seven day case rate per 100,000 is sitting at 23.1.
There are 20 cases in Belleville, 15 in Quinte West, five in Prince Edward County, four in Tyendinaga and Deseronto and one in Central Hastings.