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January 11, 2022 -- Regina Public Schools communicates incidents of cases of COVID-19 in schools. The school division also reports if a classroom has moved to remote learning. The school division does not currently report on individual case numbers in schools.

Why the changes?

We used to report case numbers. In 2021, individual cases, whether they were in students or adults, were officially announced and provided by Saskatchewan Health Authority. That is no longer the case. As of the return to classes on January 4, 2022, Regina Public Schools relies on notification of cases from parents, guardians, students and staff members. They have been asked to self-report to their schools/workplaces.

Self-reporting and the subsequent tracking at the school and school division level is inherently less reliable in terms of accuracy. We have seen case report numbers increase during the day after we have already reported them. We have also seen these numbers decrease after a report -- due in part to the discovery that a student was not in school while infectious.

In reporting cases to school families, Regina Public Schools' goal is to quickly inform families and staff, and to make them aware of cases of COVID-19 affecting their schools. We do not wish to send out potentially incorrect or incomplete information. School administration sends out an information letter to parents/guardians/students about affected classrooms.

What’s the current process for reporting?

For your information, the current process is:

• A parent/guardian, student or staff member contacts school administration and self-reports if a RAT (rapid test) shows they have COVID-19, or if they have a positive result on a PCR test.
• School administration sends out letters to school families about affected classrooms.
• The school division informs the greater Regina community and the news media through the school division website, Twitter and news release.

Regina Public Schools continues to strive towards transparency in all its reporting and is grateful for the extra effort and patience demonstrated by students, school families and staff during a very challenging time in our history.

No School for students, Monday, January 17, 2022.  Professional Development for staff. 

January 5, 2022 – Regina Public Schools has learned of a case, or cases of COVID at Gladys McDonald School who may be considered as close contacts have been informed.

If there are any future close contacts identified at the school, they will be contacted.

If any staff, student or school family members show any symptoms, they should please stay home and contact Healthline 811.  Symptoms are described here. 

Students are asked to seek medical advice and not to attend school if feeling unwell or showing any symptoms. As a potential close contact, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) would strongly recommend children take a Rapid Antigen Test, which are available to families at schools or at locations in the community

If additional support related to questions about self-isolation requirements is needed, please contact Healthline at 811.

The Government of Saskatchewan has provided this infographic.

January 3, 2022 -- Happy New Year! Classes will resume as planned on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.  The Saskatchewan Health Authority has confirmed that schools can return to in-class learning following the break, with continued safety measures in place. In preparation, we encourage all school families to complete an at- home rapid test prior to the return to school. Most families will have had access to these tests through schools. A list of where these tests can be acquired in the community, free of charge, is available here.

The Government of Saskatchewan announced on December 30 that:

• Fully vaccinated individuals who test positive on either a rapid test or PCR test are to self-isolate for five days from the date of test or 48 hours after symptoms have ended, whichever is later.
• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals are to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of test or 48 hours after your symptoms have ended, whichever is later.

Details from the Government of Saskatchewan can be found in their recent release here. Please also see the graphic below. In all cases, do not return to school if symptoms are present and inform the school if any student is to be absent.

Close contacts must isolate for 14 days from the date of last exposure unless they are fully vaccinated and do not have any symptoms. Use rapid antigen testing if asymptomatic, ideally between day five and seven of the 14-day isolation. If any symptoms develop, seek a PCR test.

Regina Public Schools continue to take a multi-layered approach to COVID-19 safety, including mandatory masks in all schools and buildings, increased sanitation protocols, cohorting of students where possible, a focus on hand hygiene, and upgraded ventilation in all Division-owned schools.

We continue to support the Government of Saskatchewan’s recommendation that all residents, including students aged five and older, get fully vaccinated and get their booster shot, when eligible. There are a number of walk-in vaccine clinics in Regina as well as many pharmacies that offer this service. Read more about clinics here.

As we begin the new year, please be assured that we will continue to be vigilant to mitigate risks to students, staff and school families as we resume the important work of in-class teaching, learning, socializing, and growing in Regina Public Schools.

In learning and in health,

Greg Enion

Director of Education

Please click here for a PDF version of this letter.

No School on Monday, December 6 for students.  Teachers and staff are participating in a professional development day.