The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District is suspending in-class instruction for all schools in the St. John’s metro area, as well as those in Bell Island, Mobile and Witless Bay. This action comes on the advice of Public Health (Eastern Region) and is effective Thursday, February 11 to Friday, February 26. A complete list of schools impacted is provided below.

All school staff, with the exception of those required to self isolate on the direction of Public Health, are required to report to work at their school. Teaching staff will begin online instruction as follows:

• High schools effective tomorrow, February 11.
• Intermediate will begin Friday, February 12.
• Primary/Elementary will begin Monday, February 15. 

The District is also cancelling all extra-curricular/co-curricular activities across the province at this time, again on the advice of Public Health. This is a precautionary measure which expands on the suspension of activities in the St. John’s area, announced earlier this week.

These measures are taken to allow Public Health to expand its contact tracing and testing into other school populations in the metro area, and to further limit all student interactions with each other and the community at large. Public Health officials will be working with schools directly impacted by Covid-19 in the coming days to provide direction with respect to any public health measures required.

“I recognize this situation is stressful for all involved,” said Tony Stack, CEO/Director of Education. “The District continues to adhere to the expert and prudent advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health officials and we are thankful for their tireless work. Their advice has held us in good stead so far and we will continue to work hand-in-hand with them as we move forward. Our priority continues to be the health and safety of our school communities.”