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March 26, 2020

Dear NESD Families,

We hope that everyone is at home safe and sound and looking after each other. Together, we can do our part to practice safety guidelines and self-isolation to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Self-isolation and social distancing is our shared responsibility to give our health providers an opportunity to deal with the pandemic.

Last week classes in our schools were suspended and schools were closed. This week our system has been on pause to adjust to the new reality. A big question that you may have is, what will learning look like for your child(ren) going forward during school closure.

In the North East School Division you can expect that: 

• All school buildings will remain closed.
• All administration, teachers and support staff will be working from home beginning March 30.
• During the week of March 30, school staff will be contacting you to discuss your child(ren)'s learning plan.
• Updated information will be available on the NESD website.

It is important to maintain the relationships we have built with our students, families and communities. We look forward to finding innovative ways to support your child(ren)'s learning journey as they develop the necessary skills for the future.

Sincerely,

Luke Perkins,                                                                               Don Rempel,

Board Chair                                                                                 Director of Education

North East School Division                                                       North East School Division

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Update: March 18, 2020

Dear parents and staff,

A decision was made by the education sector Response Planning team in conjunction with advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Saskatchewan, that starting Friday, March 20, all Saskatchewan school boards should pause educational operations for a one-week period. This one week away will allow the Response Planning team and individual school divisions to consider longer term plans to support students, staff and families moving forward and to plan supports to lessen the negative impact of school closure.

To achieve this, all school staff, supporting professional staff and non-essential business staff will be directed to stay home until end of day Friday, March 27.  The NESD will be focusing on our business continuity plan to ensure that core functions such as technology, payroll and building security are structured to function effectively over the coming months. 

We thank you for your continued efforts and support in ensuring the needs of students, staff and families are met.

Don Rempel

Director of Education

North East School Division

PO Box 6000

Melfort, SK  S0E 1A0

Ph# (306) 752-5741

Email: rempel.don@nesd.ca

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March 17, 2020

Please see the following Government of Saskatchewan news release on the formation of a Response Planning Team to work through the logistics of school closures.

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2020/march/17/education-update-covid-19

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The Government of Saskatchewan has just announced that due to COVID-19, classes in pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 will be suspended indefinitely, starting Friday, March 20, 2020.

For the period of March 16^th to March 19^th, pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 classes will wind down. This means that parents who are able to keep children home should do so immediately, with no absence or grade impacts. Parents with limited childcare options have a window to plan for class suspensions.

The news release is available here: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2020/march/16/class-suspensions