Following consultation between the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD), the Department of Education, the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Public Health officials, NLESD is moving forward with plans that maximize in-class instruction for high school students while adhering to updated public health guidance.

Following updated public health guidance for K-12 Education, high school students who are currently attending online classes will move into a blended learning model. Under this modified Scenario 2 approach, high school classes will be split into two groups and students will alternate between in-class instruction and online attendance, with access five days each week. On days when students are not physically in class, they will be able to access the classroom remotely with their peers via Google Classroom.

These changes will take effect throughout the province starting on Wednesday, April 14. Educators will be provided two days for transition time and professional learning on Monday, April 12 and Tuesday, April 13, during which time the Easter Break will be extended for high school students currently learning under Scenario 3.

Under this new guidance, classes that are not able to maintain cohorts in a school setting, including high school classes, are required to divide students into two separate groups who will attend in-person on alternating days. This, combined with the requirement for students to wear masks in school, should maximize distancing while minimizing the risk of transmission in a school setting.

More information can be found in the backgrounder below.

It is important to note that all classes for the Francophone School District are operating at full capacity under Scenario 1.

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education and Mr. Tony Stack, CEO and Director of Education of the NLESD will be available to speak with media today (Wednesday, April 7) at 3:30 p.m. Media wishing to participate are asked to please RSVP to Tina Coffey (tcoffey@gov.nl.ca) who will provide the dial-in details.

Quotes
“Our number one priority has always been to keep students in school when it is safe to do so. In recent weeks we have worked closely with Dr. Fitzgerald and her team and with the NL English School District to find a solution that supports this priority while reducing the risk of a further outbreak. We recognize the value of in-person instruction, and it is my hope that if we all remain mindful of public health guidelines we can maintain this approach for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education

“The Board is pleased to see high school students who have been studying exclusively online have the opportunity to access in-class instruction with their teachers and peers. Our trustees have advocated for ways to maximize in-class learning for students, recognizing it is the optimal environment to address students’ learning needs, as well as their social-emotional and mental well-being.”
Goronwy Price
Board Chair, NL English School District

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Media contacts
Tina Coffey
Education
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

Cheryl Gullage
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
709-758-0032, 697-5856
cherylgullage@nlesd.ca

BACKGROUNDER

High School Scenarios

Effective Wednesday, April 14, high school students who are currently attending online classes will move into a blended learning model (Scenario 2), which will see students alternating between in-class instruction and remote access to their classrooms five days a week. Specific start times and schedules will be communicated to staff, students and families by the school administration.

High school students currently attending in-class instruction full time (Scenario 1) will continue to do so. Some smaller schools may move from Scenario 2 to Scenario 1 if it is feasible. K-9 arrangements remain unchanged at this time.

AVALON REGION

Scenario 1 – In-class Instruction 

Dunne Memorial (K-12) Fatima Academy (K-12) Horizon Academy

Hospital School St. Catherine’s Academy (K-12) Stella Maris Academy (K-12)

Scenario 2 – Blended Learning – Effective April 14

Ascension Collegiate Baccalieu Collegiate (Grades 10-12 only) Baltimore School (Grades 10-12 only) Carbonear Collegiate (Grades 10-12 only) Crescent Collegiate (Grades 10-12 only) Gonzaga Regional High Holy Heart Regional High Holy Spirit High (Grades 9-12) Holy Trinity High (Grades 10-12 only)

Laval High School (Grades 10-12 only) Mobile Central High (Grades 10-12 only) Mount Pearl Senior High (Grades 10-12 only) O’Donel High School Prince of Wales Collegiate Queen Elizabeth Regional High Roncalli Central High (Grades 10-12 only) St. Kevin’s High (Grades 10-12 only) St. Michael’s Regional High (Grades 10-12 only) Waterford Valley High

LABRADOR REGION

Scenario 1 – In-class Instruction

Amos Comenius Memorial School (K-12) Bayside Academy (K-12) BL Morrison School (K-12) Henry Gordon Academy (K-12) JC Erhardt Memorial School (K-12) Jens Haven Memorial School (K-12)

Labrador Straits Academy (K-12) Lake Melville School (K-12) Northern Lights Academy (K-12) St. Lewis Academy (K-12) St. Mary’s All Grade (K-12) St. Peter’s School (K-12) William Gillett Academy (K-12)

Scenario 2 – Blended Learning – Effective April 14

Mealy Mountain Collegiate (Grades 10-12 only)

Menihek High School (Grades 10-12 only)

WESTERN REGION

Scenario 1 – In-class Instruction  

All Saints All-Grade (K-12) Bonne Bay Academy (K-12) Burgeo Academy (K-12) Canon Richards Memorial (K-12) Cape John Collegiate (7-12) Cloud River Academy (K-12) E. A. Butler All-Grade (K-12) French Shore Academy (K-12) Grandy’s River Collegiate (K-12) Gros Morne Academy (K-12) Hampden Academy (K-12)

Holy Cross All-Grade (K-12) Jakeman All-Grade (K-12) James Cook Memorial (K-12) Long Range Academy (K-12) MSB Regional Academy (K-12) Main River Academy (K-12) Mary Simms All-Grade (K-12) St. Boniface All-Grade (K-12) St. James All-Grade (K-12) St. Peter’s Academy, Westport (K-12) St. Simon & St. Jude Academy (K-12) Valmont Academy (K-12) Viking Trail Academy (K-12)

Scenario 2 – Blended Learning – Effective April 14

Bayview Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Belanger Memorial (Grades 10-12 only) Copper Ridge Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Corner Brook Regional High Dorset Collegiate (Grades 10-12 only) Elwood Regional High Indian River High (Grades 10-12 only)

Pasadena Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Piccadilly Central High (Grades 10-12 only) St. James Regional High (Grades 10-12 only) Stephenville High (Grades 10-12 only) Templeton Academy (Grades 10-12 only) White Hills Academy (Grades 10-12 only)

CENTRAL REGION

Scenario 1 – In-class Instruction

A.R. Scammell Academy (K-12) Bishop White School (K-12) Christ the King School (K-12) Cottrell’s Cove Academy (K-12) Fitzgerald Academy (K-12) Fortune Bay Academy (K-12) Gill Memorial (K-12) Holy Cross School (K-12) Holy Name of Mary Academy (K-12) J.M. Olds Collegiate (7-12) John Watkins Academy (K-12) King Academy (7-12) Lakeside Academy (K-12)

Point Leamington Academy (K-12) Random Island Academy (K-12) Southwest Arm Academy (K-12) St. Gabriel’s All Grade (K-12) St. Joseph’s Academy (K-12) St. Joseph’s All-Grade (K-12) St. Lawrence Academy (K-12) St. Mark’s School (K-12) St. Peter’s All Grade (K-12) St. Stephen’s All Grade (K-12) Swift Current Academy (K-12) Tricentia Academy (K-12) Victoria Academy (K-12)

Scenario 2 – Blended Learning – Effective April 14

Bay d’Espoir Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Botwood Collegiate (Grades 10-12 only) Clarenville High Discovery Collegiate (Grades 10-12 only) Exploits Valley High Fogo Island Academy(Grades 10-12 only) Gander Collegiate Glovertown Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Heritage Collegiate (Grades 10-12 only) Jane Collins Academy

John Burke High School (Grades 10-12 only) Lakewood Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Leo Burke Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Lewisporte Collegiate Marystown Central High New World Island Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Pearson Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Phoenix Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Riverwood Academy (Grades 10-12 only) Smallwood Academy (Grades 10-12 only)