Pandemic messages prior to school closure
March 15, 2020
We continue to put plans in place that allow us to respond responsibly to any government public health measures, including school closures, but which will also ensure your students can continue their learning remotely from home.
Parent-Teacher Interviews Postponed:
Interviews currently scheduled for Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 will be postponed. Thursday and Friday will follow the new schedule.
Lunch Periods and the Cafeteria:
As the Chief Medical Officer recently stated, we need to practice social distancing, which obviously includes our lunch periods. We will open the Student Commons and classrooms as lunch spaces. Teachers will help supervise these areas during lunch.
What If Regular Classes Are Cancelled?
There is a very real possibility that regular classes in the province will be suspended sometime in the future. If in the future there is a decision made to close schools, we are prepared to start by delivering classes using an online tool called Google Classroom. This will be the platform where teachers will post materials, lesson plans, announcements, assignments, resources, assessment feedback, etc. Later this week, we intend to add additional technology which will allow us to do remote face-to-face interactions with students.
If your student does not have access to the internet at home, please phone our main office at your earliest convenience - 306.791.9150.
Decisions regarding midterm exams, All College, and other school activities still several weeks away will be made as we need to do so. Because the situation is so fluid and dynamic, this seems the most prudent course of action.
Public Health Reminders:
- Please continue to check https://www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus which has the most current information on the pandemic.
- All students and staff returning from out-of-country travel must self-isolate for 14 days, and if symptomatic, call 811.
- All students and staff returning from out-of-province travel should self-monitor for 14 days, go home if they become symptomatic, and call 811.
If you experience any symptoms of the virus including fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties, please stay home, call 811 for further directions. A self-assessment tool is available at here.
Please continue to report your child’s absences to the school no matter the reason to lutherhs@luthercollege.edu.
March 13, 2020 - 6:00 p.m.
As you probably already know, Saskatchewan has introduced increased preventative measures regarding COVID-19.
For Luther College, this means the following changes will be in effect starting Monday, March 13:
- We will be following the schedule found below until we notify you otherwise. You will see we only have four minutes between classes in an effort to discourage large group gatherings.
- Chapel as we currently conduct it (a large assembly) will be cancelled.
- We will be working with our cafeteria staff to determine the best way to serve lunches.
- Our teachers are looking into how best we can teach remotely, if that possibility becomes more reality in the near future.
Please be aware that the rapidly changing situation around us requires us all to be as flexible as possible, sometimes on very, very short notice. I would ask that you check e-mails and our website frequently. Be assured we will update you whenever we can.
Our chief priority is to err on the side of safety for all in our community.
Class Schedule - Effective - Monday, March 16
Period 2 8:25—9:20
Period 3 9:24—10:20
Period 5 10:24—11:19
Period 6 11:23—12:18
Period 7 12:22—1:17
Period 8 1:21—2:16
Period 9 2:20—3:15
March 13, 2020
Contingency planning for remote operations due to COVID-19
We are providing an update to you following discussions about COVID-19 preparedness and impacts to the normal operations of the school. Like you, we are following the guidelines set forth by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to reduce the risk to our students and staff.
What’s changed?
Luther College High School is operating normally with the following modifications:
- Additional hand-washing procedures and sani-wipes for use throughout the building
- Changes to food handling practices in the cafeteria
- Public health procedures regarding dorm student isolation should that be required in the future
- Dorm staff are working with our international families directly to keep them informed on travel precautions and public safety guidelines
- Increased cleaning and sanitizing of all facilities using materials approved to kill the coronavirus.
What’s the next step?
We feel it is diligent to make plans for school operations if we encounter a high degree of absenteeism due to either illness or self-isolation. As such, we are just beginning to discuss how we might teach as many classes as we possibly can remotely if an entire school shutdown becomes the necessary precaution. We are just beginning to have those discussions and will keep you informed when, and if, any decisions are made.
COVID-19 Guidelines and Precautions
You may be wondering about your family’s health and safety and what precautions to take. I want to encourage you to stay informed about COVID-19 by visiting www.Saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus. This is the best place to get the most up-to-date information for the public as it is coming from experts on public health.
We will keep you informed by email about any operational changes at the school.
This is obviously a situation that is fluctuating and changing rapidly, so we thank you for your patience and understanding as we work towards making the best possible decisions for your student’s health and well-being.
March 10, 2020
Due to the cases of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) being reported across Canada, we wanted to update you all on the steps Luther College is taking to keep our students, faculty and staff healthy and prepared for potential risks. Our administration has been working with our school nurse Jan Ferguson to ensure the safety of our students against viruses, including COVID 19. Jan is also working closely with local health authorities in this preparation.
Luther College is ensuring we have adequate healthcare supplies in stock, as well as cleaning and isolation procedures in place. This includes additional sani-wipes and hand sanitizer throughout campus to keep hands and surfaces clean. We have a pandemic plan in place to implement should the need arise.
Just a reminder, Saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus is the single location for COVID-19 information for the public and care providers and will be updated frequently with the latest information.
If your student lives in the dorms and you require further information or have any questions, as usual, you may contact the Dean of Women, Mary Gurel, mary.gurel@luthercollege.edu or the Dean of Men, Tanner Brightman, tanner.brightman@luthercollege.edu.
Please be assured that we have also made preparations specifically for the health of our dorm students. If you have a day student, you can contact our nurse Jan Ferguson at jan.ferguson@luthercollege.edu if you have further questions.