Martensville High School (MHS) has moved to online classes only as a result of a surge of COVID-19 cases.
Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD) officials announced late last week that the school is shifting to Level 4 of the Saskatchewan Safe Schools Plan.
Level 4 involves discontinuing in-class instruction and moving to “alternative learning opportunities” only.
“This means that all classes at Martensville High will be moving online effective immediately and continue until Monday, November 23,” stated the PSSD officials. “On Monday, November 23, we plan to move to Level 3 at Martensville High, which will continue until the Christmas break. These plans will depend on further direction and information from the Saskatchewan Health Authority. (SHA)”
Level 3 of the provincial plan involves “reduced in-class learning.”
MHS is one of three PSSD schools to have confirmed cases of COVID-19, but the only one to cancel in-class learning as of Monday, November 16. PSSD officials did not state how many individuals at MHS have tested positive for the virus.
PSSD officials confirmed on Sunday, November 15 that an individual at Warman Community Middle School (WCMS) had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
On November 10, PSSD officials confirmed an individual at Colonsay School had also tested positive.
PSSD officials say the school division is working closely with the SHA to ensure necessary measures are in place to protect all students and staff.
“We all have a shared responsibility to decrease the risk of COVID-19 entering schools. Our school plans contain many important measures, processes and protocols which add layers of protection for students and staff,” said PSSD officials.
“Students and families are reminded to be diligent in performing the daily health screening, stay home if ill, call HealthLine 811 if exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, practice proper hand hygiene, maintain physical distancing as much as possible, wear a mask when appropriate, and do everything we can to keep each other safe.”