Dear Students, Colleagues and Friends:
As you are all aware, the global outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has forced numerous changes to the 2019-20 academic year. While there is much confusion and misinformation being circulated, the health and safety of NISEP students remains our top priority.
Below, you will find links to the latest information as provided by various local and international sources, including the provincial and federal governments, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD).
As always, if you have any specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at anytime.
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
In an effort to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government has announced that effective immediately, as of March 18 2020, Newfoundland and Labrador has declared a Public Health Emergency. At this time, gyms and other fitness facilities, bars and sporting arenas are required to close. Furthermore, gatherings of more than 50 people are not permitted at this time. Failure to comply with these restrictions could result in serious repercussions.
In the event that you are in need of medication, pharmacies may extend certain prescriptions within their scope of practice, with goal of limiting the number of doctor’s visits.
The status of the Public Health Emergency will be re-assessed every two weeks by Public Health.
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
The provincial government announced on Thursday, April 2, 2020 that ALL final and public exams for junior high and high school students for the 2019-20 school year have been cancelled. While details are still lacking, online resources are available to students in order to continue their studies through distance learning. See the information below, as outlined by the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District.
The District has outlined next steps for #nlschools high school students.
Many thanks to our great partners & staff members throughout the province.
For more information, please see the full release at https://t.co/Hc6L46pfOP#covid19nfld #thelearningcontinues#LearnatHomeNL pic.twitter.com/QeER8mLWH6— NLESD (@NLESDCA) April 2, 2020
On Thursday, March 19, 2020, NLESD announced that all K-9 students would be progressing to their next grade level in the coming year, regardless of what happens to the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. For students in grades 10-12, options are still being weighed regarding high school credit courses. While a solution has yet to be finalized, the Department of Education has assured families that everything possible is being done to assure that graduating students can still do so without any complications. To view NLESD’s most recent statement to families in the district, please click on the following link.
As of Tuesday, March 16 2020, all in-class instruction has been suspended until further notice. Students WILL NOT be permitted inside their schools at this time, unless critical items are on campus, such as medications. Arrangements to retrieve these items must be made by homestay families by contacting school administration.
This District advises that, based on the most recent update and recommendations from @GovNL we are cancelling plans for families to retrieve personal/ instructional materials from schools Wed & Thurs.
Please visit https://t.co/Hc6L46GQGn for more #nlschools info. pic.twitter.com/VNeWw2WZpC
— NLESD (@NLESDCA) March 17, 2020
Important information for students parents, teachers and regulated child care providers! pic.twitter.com/x23Ub9rwSx
— Education and Early Childhood Development NL (@EDU_GovNL) March 16, 2020
Rest assured, we are in frequent communication with the Department of Education, and will provide more details as they become available. In the meantime, remain up-to-date with NLESD’s response to COVID-19 at this link.
Government of Canada
The federal government announced that beginning Wednesday, March 18, Canadian borders would be closed to a majority of foreign travellers in an attempt to flatten the curve of COVID-19. Furthermore, non-essential travel out of the country is strongly discouraged.
As Canada ramps up its aggressive precautionary measures, the federal government continues to release updated safety and travel tips, as well as the latest statistics as they are received. Below are some printable resources provided on the Government of Canada Website.
about-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
know-difference-self-monitoring-isolation-covid-19-eng
covid-19-be-prepared-infographic
World Health Organization
On Wednesday, March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. While research into the effects and treatment of the virus continues, WHO is at the forefront of the crisis. Embedded below are videos detailing the virus and prevention methods. For more information regarding WHO’s approach to this outbreak, please follow this link.