On July 22, 2020, Zach Churchill, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) along with Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced Nova Scotia's plan for the safe return to school for all children, students and staff on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
Nova Scotia’s Back to School Plan was developed with input from public health, advice from experts at the IWK Health Centre, feedback from union partners, staff, families and students.
For information on the announcement, please access the following links:
EECD News Release: Students Return to School in September
Back to School Plan: Information and Supporting Documents
- Nova Scotia's Back to School Plan - Full Document
- Nova Scotia's Back to School Plan - Executive Summary
- What We Heard: A Summary of Results from Parent and Student Learning At Home Surveys
Back to School Plan:
- We know the best place for students is in the classroom with their teachers and peers.
- The Back to School Plan will help inform our local plan that will meet the needs of our school communities.
- Our priority is to ensure the safe return of students and staff to in-class learning in September. The government has purchased sanitizer and personal protective equipment (PPE) for schools.
- Nova Scotia’s Back to School Plan has response plans in place, should COVID-19 activity change. Any decision to change the approach to school will follow public health’s guidelines.
- The government has secured 14,000 computers and technology devices. If we move to at-home learning all students who need a device will be provided one.
- Accommodations for staff and students with significant health issues will be in accordance with existing procedures.
Additional information will be shared as the SRCE implements the plan in preparation for school opening in September 2020. The SRCE will continue to share updates on this webpage and on twitter, @SRCE_NS.
The Strait Regional Centre for Education (SRCE) is in close contact with public health officials through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. We are following their guidance and advice to prepare for school opening in September 2020.
The SRCE is communicating regularly with families as the situation evolves. All messages to families can be found below.
Messages to Families
October 7, 2020 - Updated Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Schools Fact Sheet for Families
September 9, 2020 - Updated COVID-19 Resources for Families
September 3, 2020 - Message to Families: Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year
August 14, 2020 - EECD News Release - Mandatory Masks in School
August 13, 2020 - Information for Families: Opening of Pre-primary Programs for 2020-2021
August 4, 2020 - Message to Students and Families Regarding Back to School Plan
July 22, 2020 - Message to Students and Families Regarding Nova Scotia's Back to School Plan
Video Messages
Being back in school is important for many reasons. Dr. Andrew Lynk, chief of pediatrics at the IWK Health Centre talks about a few of them in this video clip.
Supporting Documents/Posters
A Parent and Guardians' Guide to the 2020-2021 School Year
Back to School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Schools
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet for Individuals and Families
IWK/Nova Scotia Health Authority
Coping with COVID-19 (Nova Scotia Health Authority)
Information and Updates
Find accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19, including when to seek help at:
- Province of Nova Scotia: novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
- Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
- Public Health Agency of Canada: Coronavirus Information Line – 1-833-784-4397
Additional Resources
- Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
- The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll free)
- Kids Help Phone is available 24/7, by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)
- Mental Health and Well-Being Resources at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/mental-health/.
