The Department of Education, in consultation with Public Health, has advised the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District and the Francophone School District to suspend in-person classes for students two days early. The final day of classes will be Monday, December 20, 2021, and classes will resume on January 4, 2022.

While Public Health advises that it is safe for schools to remain open at this time, it has been determined that it is safer to undertake preparations for online learning now, due to uncertainty around the Omicron variant and the potential for disruptions in January.

While no decision has been made at this time on a shift to online learning, classes will resume on January 4 regardless of format. On Tuesday and Wednesday, schools will be open for educators and administrators, who are asked to treat these days as normal preparation days for a potential shift to online learning in the new year.

All students are asked to bring home any supplies they might need in the event of a shift to online learning in the new year. For students in Grades 7-12, this includes their Chromebook devices.

Any educator who is required to self-isolate as a result of recent direction from Public Health, will receive further follow-up communication from their administrator or the school district in the coming days to develop a plan for preparations and the resumption of classes.

Any students aged 5-11 who have COVID-19 vaccination appointments this week are advised that those appointments will still be available.

For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19. For general inquiries related to available government services, please email covid19info@gov.nl.ca.

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Avis public : les écoles ferment deux jours plus tôt pour les vacances de Noël

Media contact
Tina Coffey
Education
709-687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca