Blind River Public School and W.C. Eaket students move to online learning after suspected Omicron COVID-19 case reported

Students at Blind River Public School and W.C. Eaket Secondary school were advised on Friday to take home any tech they would need for online learning.

A case of COVID-19 was reported in the school community.

APH is currently investigating whether this is a case of the Omicron variant, and they are looking for any close contacts of that individual.

APH will contact anyone who has been in close contact with the individual and will provide further instructions at that time.

If your family is not contacted, there is no need to get your child tested unless they've developed symptoms.

Due to the number of staff that need to isolate, and a short supply of occasional teachers, the schools have been closed for the week of Dec. 13.

Curbside pick up will be available for any students that did not take home all of the necessary equipment and for the rapid antigen tests that all students were to have before going on winter break.

Algoma District School Board has noted that the closure is not due to a high level of exposure, but a shortage in staff to ensure instruction and safety of the students.

For further details please see the full letter from Algoma District School Board below.

Late in the day, on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, we were advised that an individual associated with Blind River P.S. tested positive for COVID-19. In further discussion with staff from Algoma Public Health, we learned that the case met certain criteria associated with the new Omicron variant, therefore additional measures were being implemented as a precaution.

The additional measures mean that more students (ie. siblings) and staff have to isolate and, due to familial or other connections, there is impact on our staffing at W.C. Eaket Secondary School, too. Therefore, due to the lack of available occasional teachers and the number of staff required to isolate, we do have not adequate staff to ensure the supervision and instruction at either site. Therefore, it is necessary that starting on Monday, December 13th, the school populations of Blind River P.S. and W.C. Eaket will move to online learning for the remaining week.

Students at Blind River P.S. were advised to take their technology home on Friday, however any elementary or secondary student requiring their assigned technology (or who are in need of technology), are asked to contact the school via phone or Edsby, to arrange for curb-side pickup. Additionally, the government-issued Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits for testing prior to returning to school in January, were also distributed at the elementary school on Friday, but not at the secondary school. Any elementary student who did not receive a kit, is asked to contact the school. For secondary students, the school will contact families with a schedule for pick up of Rapid Antigen Test Kits and technology. In addition, if students need any items from their locker, this can be accommodated when they pick up their Rapid Antigen Test Kits.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and as always, appreciate your ongoing partnership and understanding. We want to reiterate that the need to pivot to online learning is not due to high levels of exposure, but rather due to staffing, supervision and safety.

We ask that we all remain vigilant and continue to follow the necessary health and safety measures, such as masking, distancing and frequent hand washing, as we work to protect ourselves and our communities. Thank you for your understanding,