Update: Letter regarding C.M.L. Snider School reopening from Sean Monteith, Director of Education
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Dear C.M.L. Snider School Families and Staff:
This letter is further to a telephone message you received earlier today about C.M.L. Snider School reopening on Monday, December 7, 2020. I am taking the unusual step of sending a letter on a Saturday due to the time sensitive information.
As the Director of Education, I want you to know that the decision to close the school was made by me after careful consideration and for the safety of the entire school community. Closing a school is significant and as a father, I am aware of the pressures it places on families when children cannot go to school.
When I made the decision to close the school last Thursday, it was because neither I, nor the principal, Tina Jones, could be assured that there would be enough staff to teach and safely supervise students as we awaited contact tracing by public health.
Today, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health confirmed that all high risk contacts of the positive COVID-19 case have been contacted and are now isolating. All other members of the school community are not required to isolate at this time.
The school has been cleaned and disinfected, and therefore will be open as usual on Monday, December 7, 2020.
At this time, I ask all students, families and staff to continue following public health measures to keep safe, including physical distancing as much as possible, frequent hand washing, using face coverings and staying in cohorts, as well as doing daily screening before going to school. The provincial screening tool is available online.
While I realize that news about positive COVID-19 cases in any school community can be concerning, please be assured that our Facility Services, Education Centre and school teams are working diligently to provide safe learning environments.
On behalf of Principal Tina Jones and the C.M.L. Snider School staff, we look forward to the school reopening on Monday, December 7, 2020.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure safety for the C.M.L. Snider school community.
Sincerely,
Sean Monteith
Director of Education
cc: Tina Elliott, Superintendent of Education
Tina Jones, Principal, C.M.L. Snider School