Families,

We are looking forward to welcoming more than 52,000 students back to school next week.

The start of the 2020-2021 school year is now only days away. There is no question that opening will look and feel different this year, and may include feeling anxious, nervous, uncertain or afraid about going back to school in a pandemic.

Nova Scotia’s Back to School plan was developed in consultation with Nova Scotia Public Health and medical experts from the IWK Health Centre. Their advice is that the best place for most children – to support their physical, social, and emotional well-being – is in school.

Over the past two weeks, school principals have been sharing information about specific school plans. They’ve also been sharing images on Twitter to show the work that has been done. In addition, our Communications team has also produced a video to give you an idea about some of the changes that have been made in school buildings.
You can watch the video at: https://youtu.be/-MQd34MNfy0 .

How Families Can Help
• Complete the Daily COVID-19 Checklist before school every day. Our shared health depends on us all. If your child is ill or displaying symptoms, it is important that you keep them home.

• Have a back-up plan. Please have arrangements in place for your child to be picked up as quickly as possible if they become ill or display (even mild) symptoms of COVID-19.

• Model good hygiene practices. There will be frequent opportunities to practice good hygiene. Modelling these practices at home, especially with younger children, will ease the transition back to school.

• Take a walk in your child’s shoes. If your child’s school has shared the plan for arrivals and dismissals, review it thoroughly. If you have the time this weekend, please take your child to school and coach them to walk from the bus loop to their entrance, or from the school property to their entrance. Our collective efforts strengthen the school team’s plan for Day 1, and your child’s safe transition back to school. 

I have every confidence in the commitment of our staff to support your children on their return to school. As Tuesday approaches and the plan at your child’s school comes into clearer focus, I hope you share in this confidence. More importantly, I hope you share this confidence with your children!

Day 1 will have new routines, hand sanitizer and arrows to follow. Together, we can ensure our students remember it as a re-start filled with encouragement, support and promise!

With thanks,
Elwin LeRoux
Regional Executive Director of Education