MARCH 13, 2020 – IMPACT OF SCHOOL CLOSURE ON USE OF FACILITIES
Further to the announcement by the Minister of Education on Thursday, March 12, 2020 that a Ministerial Order has been issued to close all publicly funded schools in Ontario for the period of March 14 through to April 5, 2020 in response to the emergence in Ontario of COVID-19, please note the following information:
Closure of Schools
All Near North District School Board elementary and secondary schools will be closed to students and staff beginning March 14, 2020 through to April 5, 2020. This includes all school-based staff who will not be required to report to their school.
Child Care, School Aged Programs and EarlyON Child and Family Centres
During the Ministry ordered school closure, all child care, school aged programs, and Early On Child and Family programs located in NNDSB schools will remain closed. We recognize the significant impact this decision will have on families, students, schools, as well as the broader community, but this precaution is necessary to keep people safe.
Community Use Programs
All community use of facilities permits, agreements and use by groups and external parties are cancelled during the Ministry ordered school closure.
Additional Information and Updates
As we continue to monitor this situation the NNDSB website will be utilized as the primacy mechanism for providing updated information as soon as new information is received, and decisions are made.
Follow up communications will be made to impacted stakeholders as necessary in accordance with past practice. However, at this time redirecting parties to the website is the most effective means of communicating information quickly.
March 12, 2020 – Late this afternoon, the Premier’s Office and Minister of Education announced that all publicly funded schools in Ontario will be closed for the period of March 14 through to April 5, 2020 in response to the emergence in Ontario of COVID-19.
As such, all Near North District School Board schools will be closed to students and staff beginning March 14, 2020 until April 5, 2020 inclusive. This decision was made by the Minister of Education on the advice of the province’s chief public health official and is aimed at reducing the rates of transmission of COVID-19.
We recognize the significant impact this decision will have on families, students, schools, as well as the broader community, but this precaution is necessary to keep people safe. We also understand that there are a number of questions that students, staff and families will have as a result of this announcement. We will provide more information as soon as we learn more. Thank you for your ongoing patience.
March 9, 2020 -Information on Coronavirus and Health Precautions
The health and safety of all students, staff and school communities is our top priority. In partnership with public health officials, the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is closely monitoring the current situation with regards to the novel coronavirus.
We understand that many of our families have questions and concerns. Public health officials continue to advise that the risk to the public remains low. As a result, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit are not advising schools to take any additional precautions.
Ontario Ministry of Health Letter – January 27, 2020
To reduce exposure to the virus and protect your health, you should follow usual precautions such as:
- wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- sneeze and cough into your sleeve
- avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- avoid contact with people who are sick
- stay home if you are sick
In addition, there are a number of resources and sources of information that are available regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued public health guidance on the prevention and management of COVID-19 . These information sheets are available in English, French, and more than 20 additional languages.
PHAC’s Travel Health Notices outline potential health risks to Canadian travellers and recommend ways to help reduce them. Particular attention should be paid to the travel advisories which offer guidance on the level of risk for travellers. Several notices have been issued related to COVID-19.
As you know, the circumstances regarding COVID-19 are dynamic and advice may change based on the evolving situation. We encourage you to monitor the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 webpage and PHAC’s travel health notices for up-to-date information.
If you have concerns about your or your child’s health, please contact a medical practitioner or North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. https://www.myhealthunit.ca.
