ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Students are parents will not be permitted to enter schools this week after all.
The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) said today that the plan to allow them back in schools to retrieve students' personal and instructional materials has been changed.
It comes just a day after Education Minister Brian Warr — in announcing K-12 schools, registered daycares and the College of the North Atlantic would be closed — said students and parents could go back in schools on Wednesday and Thursday to get what they needed.
This District advises that, based on the most recent update and recommendations from @GovNL we are cancelling plans for families to retrieve personal/ instructional materials from schools Wed & Thurs.
— NLESD (@NLESDCA) March 17, 2020
Please visit https://t.co/Hc6L46GQGn for more #nlschools info. pic.twitter.com/VNeWw2WZpC
However, in a news release issued today, the department has reversed that decision based on the most recent update and recommendations from the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzpatrick, it said.
The only exception will be for the retrieval of critical items, such as medical equipment or prescriptions currently housed at the school. Parents are advised to contact their school administration to arrange for the transfer of these items.
"The district regrets the inconvenience this causes," the news release stated. "We are, however, determined to keep staff, students, parents/guardians and school communities as safe as possible during this uncertain time."
The district plans to advise parents and students of a plan for retrieval of all non-essential items at some point in the future.
