News

COVID-19 Update from the AFN Health Director | March 31, 2020

Published: March 31 2020 14:48

March 31, 2020

Health Director Update #8

As of March 30, 2020, there are 127 cases of Covid-19 in NS. The cases are spread throughout NS and range in men and women from their late teens to mid seventies.

 

Update provided by Atlantic Policy Congress:

March 30, 2020 6:15 PM

Premier Stephen McNeil and chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang provided an update earlier today, March 30, on plans to support ongoing student learning as Nova Scotians deal with COVID-19. Following the recommendation of Dr. Strang, all public schools and licensed child care providers will remain closed until at least May 1.

A recording of the news conference is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syiW1isUqOM. A short audio recap from Dr. Strang will be available soon at https://anchor.fm/nsgov .

Highlights of the plans to support ongoing student learning announced today are outlined below:

  • No student will be penalized because of COVID-19. Students and families will have access to e-learning and at-home learning materials will be provided for students without internet access. Families who feel at-home learning may be a burden are asked to speak to their child's teacher.
  • Students who were on track to graduate will graduate and Grade 12 students who need a preliminary paper-based transcript for bursaries, scholarships or university entrance will receive one by contacting their Regional Centre for Education or Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP). Students who were on track to proceed to their next grade will move to their next grade on time. Students will receive end of year report cards.
  • During the ongoing closure of public schools:
    • all Grade primary to 9 students will receive at-home learning packages distributed bi-weekly by SaltWire Network
    • students in grades 10 to 12 who require at-home learning packages will work with their individual teachers to address their specific needs; additional information on distribution will be forwarded to schools
    • learning will be assignment and project focused
    • a dedicated learning website for families is available at
      https://curriculum.novascotia.ca/learning-home
    • all school trips planned for May and June are cancelled
    • Provincial Assessments, Nova Scotia Exams and final exams in all courses are cancelled
    • Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française (DELF) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams are cancelled
    • students in grades 9 to 12 will receive additional access to the Homework Hub, a free online resource and tutoring for math
    • teachers will connect directly with students and families to help support learning
  • Students and families will continue to have access to student support services. SchoolsPlus facilitators and community outreach workers continue to support students and families via phone, email and text. The facilitators are also available to accept new referrals to support students and families not currently using SchoolsPlus. Mental health clinicians continue to work with students and their families by phone, secure video conferencing or in person, where possible. For those who require additional supports, ask your teacher or principal and they will connect you to the support you need.
  • To better support students and adults with special needs, the province is modifying existing policies and agreements to allow teaching assistants and child and youth care support workers to provide paid respite care in the community.
  • Next year, teachers will help students prepare for their new grade and conduct additional review.

Additionally, the province has created an online tool to help businesses and non-profits clarify if they may remain open and how they can comply with public health orders and workplace safety requirements. This tool is available at https://covid19-employer-assessment.novascotia.ca/en

The full news release is available at: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20200330004 and in French at: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20200330005.

 

Marla Robinson-Pyne
Health Director Acadia First Nation
Phone: (902)742-0257