NOVEMBER 20, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Chief Provincial Public Health Officer has announced that effective November, 24, 2020, the Hanover School Division will move to the Critical (Red) level of the #MBRestart Pandemic Response System.

This action is taken as a preventative safety measure in response to the increased test positivity rate in Steinbach and the RM of Hanover. The decision to move Hanover School Division to the Critical (Red) level is not a reflection of school-based virus transmission. Our schools continue to be safe places to learn. In consultation with Public Health and Manitoba Education, Hanover School Division is working on an action plan to respond to our communities’ increased positivity rate. Continuity of learning in the Critical (Red) level is of key importance.

What does a Critical (Red) level mean for schools?

  • All students move to teacher-led remote learning at home.
  • Schools and school divisions will endeavour to accommodate K-6 children of critical services workers who cannot make alternative care arrangements so that these students may attend school. While at school, these students will participate in and receive support for the same teacher-led remote learning that their classmates who are learning from home are receiving.
  • Students over age 12 who are children of critical services workers and who have disabilities or special needs that preclude them from staying home (independently) may also be accommodated at the school and receive supervision and remote learning support.
  • If you identified in-class learning is required through the recent CSW survey, your child can attend on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. You will be required to provide the transportation.

For additional information, please view the provincial document, Guidance for Critical (Red) Response Level For Manitoba Schools.

School divisions are not responsible for student transportation during a Critical (Red) level. We do understand and agree that this may create hardship for some families. This Pandemic has created many hardships for families and schools alike. To that extent, we are exploring our options and the possibility of continuing minimal bus transportation. There are, of course, many complicating factors and layers of decisions that need to be considered. As we continue to plan, we will evaluate the possibility of continuing transportation for those who have exhausted all other options.

All HSD schools will remain open and classes in session for Monday, November 23. Your child’s school will continue to communicate with parents/guardians. In the meantime we will provide additional phone support this weekend for general questions regarding the shift to Critical (Red) level. Phone support will be available from 9am – 4pm on Saturday (Nov. 21). Please dial the number for your child’s school, and press #1 when prompted.

Once again, thank you for your support. We appreciate your continued partnership and willingness to adapt and respond to these evolving conditions. We will work together to get our community through this pandemic.

Respectfully,

Shelley Amos, Interim Superintendent/CEO
Hanover School Division

in: General