Community

A Message from Saskatchewan's Education Partners

NOVEMBER 17, 2020 -- Please click on the letter below to read an important message from the Saskatchewan Association of School Business Officials (SASBO), Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) and Saskatchewan League of Educational Administrators, Directors & Superintendents (LEADS), requesting that we all do our part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Regina Public Schools is an active member of each one of these Saskatchewan education sector organizations.

Open Letter from Saskatchewan’s Education Partners

New Mask Requirements

NOVEMBER 5, 2020 – Effective Monday, November 9, 2020, all Regina Public Schools students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 will be required to wear a non-medical  mask in school and on school buses. This change comes at a time when all schools and the school division are working to focus on limiting health risks to students and staff and to minimize disruptions to student learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please read the letter to all parents and guardians from Director of Education Greg Enion. It explains the background and the rationale for this decision.

We have also updated a number of documents to reflect this change. This is a great time to review these documents below.

If you have any questions, please direct them to your school principal.

Re-open Plan

Return-to-School Parent Handbook

Return-to-School Safety Plan Poster

New Air Filtration at Schools

OCTOBER 22, 2020 -- A key component of keeping Regina Public Schools students breathing safely at our schools and buildings is the installation of new air filtration systems. The filter technology is called bipolar ionization. This technology:

  • Reduces particles and smoke in the air
  • Kills pathogens (bacteria, viruses, molds) including human influenza viruses, coronavirus and SARS
  • Helps control allergens and asthma

Following a request for proposal process, work on acquiring these units began in September and Phase One is estimated to be complete by the end of November. This first phase includes installing systems on rooftop units, unit ventilators and furnaces. Phase Two is anticipated to begin in late November once the equipment arrives and will include the installation of large-scale air handling units on school buildings.

Regina Public Schools staff and external contractors, who are following all safety protocols and are focussed on minimizing any disruption to school staff and students, are doing work. This complex work involves more than 800 individual installations. Work is proceeding well with Phase One approximately 25 per cent complete as of October 21, 2020. Regina Public Schools appreciates the understanding and patience of staff and school families as work is done to complete this important component of the Regina Public Schools Return-to-School Safety Plan.

Voting in October and November

October 22, 2020 -- Provincial and civic elections are around the corner. The provincial election will be held on October 26, 2020. Twenty-six Regina Public schools will be used as polling stations. This day is a school division-wide professional development day and there will be no students in schools. School staff will be at work on those days.

For the safety of staff and voters, we have worked with Elections Saskatchewan to ensure that all voting activities and elections staff follow health and safety protocols, including the use of different entrances and exits for school staff and for voters.

The civic election for City Council and School Boards is on November 9, 2020. The majority of the 13 schools hosting polls will have virtual conferences with parents on that day, meaning students will not be at school, although staff will be working. Regina Public Schools has worked with Elections Regina to ensure that all safety protocols are in place for the safety of staff and students.

Regina Public Schools asks all voters and members of the public to follow the signage and rules that Elections Saskatchewan and Elections Regina will have posted and will be monitoring at all of our buildings. For the safety of everyone in our schools, we also ask all voters and visitors to our schools to wear non-medical or disposal masks.

For more information about the provincial election, please visit www.elections.sk.ca. For the civic election, please visit www.regina.ca/elections.

 

 

Masks Required on Public Transit

OCTOBER 15, 2020 -- As COVID-19 cases increase in our city, Regina Transit is reminding all passengers to continue to wear masks on public transit. Starting on October 19, 2020, Regina Transit will be denying service to elementary and high school students who do not wear a mask or alternative face coverings while boarding and riding the bus.

If students do not have a mask, it is recommended that they source one to avoid being denied rides in the future. Passengers can wear non-medical face masks, including alternative coverings like a bandana in two layers wrapped around the mouth and nose. It is important to note that mask exemptions are still in place for children under five years of age, persons with medical conditions, or those who cannot place or remove masks without assistance.

Mask use should be combined with other protective measures, such as physical distancing and proper hygiene, including hand washing, not touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and, of course, staying home if you are not feeling well.

Stay Safe; Keep Everyone Safe!

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 -- Before school, check for symptoms. If not feeling well, stay home and call 811. Use the SHA online self-assessment tool. Please contact school if student will be away. Remember that students with any cold or flu-like symptoms should not return to school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.

See the Regina Public Schools’ Return-to-School Safety Plan infographic and read the Return-to-School Parent/Caregiver Handbook.

COVID Alert App

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 -- With the fall weather moving Canadians indoors, it's important that all tools be used to fight the spread of COVID-19. Health Canada has requested that we share information about the COVID-19 alert app for all of our school families and staff. Please consider downloading this app.

To view the Health Canada poster, please CLICK HERE.

Dismissal Procedures for Elementary Schools

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020—With almost one week of classes for all students completed, we are grateful for school family cooperation that has helped make student school experiences safe and positive.

As we proceed into the school year, we are refining our school-based procedures, including how we release students at the end of the school day. Although we initially communicated that we required parent permission to release students at 3:22 p.m., this is no longer the case.

In order to minimize students congregating on school grounds, we are allowing students to leave the school property at 3:22 p.m.; however, supervision will be provided until 3:37 p.m. for those students who choose to stay.

This change does not affect students who are transported by bus or light vehicle. 

Please ensure that your children have clear direction from you regarding your family’s after-school plan.  Thanks in advance to all school families for their ongoing support and cooperation.

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