*Note: Since the publication of this article, two new cases of COVID-19 have been linked at St. David Catholic Elementary School. Public Health Sudbury & Districts made the announcement at 9 p.m. on Jan. 19. Read more here.
St. David Catholic Elementary School is moving to remote learning effective immediately and until Jan. 29.
In a second letter to parents, Sudbury Catholic District School Board said Public Health Sudbury and Districts has asked many staff members to self-isolate as a result of the confirmed case of COVID-19 at the school.
"Due to the number of staff members not able to attend the site due to the self-isolation period, we will be moving to remote learning effective Wednesday, Jan. 20 and St. David school will remain closed until Friday, Jan. 29," reads the letter. "At the moment, students are expected to resume their in-school learning on Monday, Feb. 1. If this return date should change, the board will inform you of the details."
To support students in their learning, Kindergarten to Grade 6 students from St. David will be able to pursue their learning at home in a virtual format until their return to the classroom.
On Tuesday, staff will communicate with students and families to inform them of the upcoming steps and explain how this will unfold and remote learning will begin on Jan. 20. The distribution of technological tools is expected to take place today and tomorrow according to the needs of families, and always respecting recommendation from Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
Parents who have any questions are asked to contact the school at 705-674-4096 and to leave a message. Messages will be checked regularly throughout the day. Updates will be posted on the school and board websites.
Original story
Students in the Senior Kindergarten/Grade 1 class at St. David Catholic Elementary School have been dismissed until Jan. 29 after Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed a case of COVID-19 at the school.
Sudbury Catholic District School Board posted a letter today on its website dated Jan. 17 that said the person who tested positive is currently self-isolating and being monitored by the health unit while the investigation continues.
Anyone with questions is asked to visit the board’s website where the board will post updated information.
“Public Health continues to investigate the situation, and if any risks to the school community are identified, they may direct additional measures,” said Joanne Bénard, director of education, in the letter to parents. “The situation will be monitored closely, and we will provide timely updates on both our board and the St. David websites.”
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is working closely with the school to manage the case, the board said. PHSD will directly contact all parents of children and all school personnel who have been identified as close contacts, said the letter.
If you are not called by Public Health Sudbury and Districts, you are encouraged to follow the general advice in this letter: In general, if your child is dismissed from school as part of this situation, but you are not contacted directly by Public Health, your child must self-isolate immediately until and including Jan. 29. Your child should also seek COVID-19 testing as soon as possible. If the test is negative, retesting should occur if symptoms develop.
In general, if your child is not dismissed from school as part of this case, the following applies:
-Simply passing by an infected person in the hallway is not considered close contact, and the risk of spreading the virus this way is extremely low.
-Continue to use the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care to monitor your child for symptoms and follow the direction provided.
The board said it is understandable this situation may make caregivers anxious and some will choose to keep their child at home as a precaution. Advise the school if you choose to do this so the school can make arrangements for continued learning when possible.
If you have any questions regarding COVID-19 or the measures taken to address COVID-19, please visit www.phsd.ca/COVID-19 or contact Public Health Sudbury and Districts at 705-522-9200 ext. 524 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200).
For information specific to the case and the schools’ response to the situation, call St. David School or Rossella Bagnato, superintendent of School Effectiveness at 705-673-5620 ext. 300.
