March 18, 2020 -- Message from Director of Education, Greg Enion.
Over the past few days, our everyday routines of school, work and learning have been first disrupted and now cancelled. As many of us are parents, we too have had many of the feelings of uncertainty and concern.
The absence of information often creates anxiety. To keep all our school families informed. I would like to share some information that your school division does have. Please know that we do not yet have any information relating to what's next for students, especially those requiring credits, or who are graduating this year. My promise to you is that we will share this information, the moment we have it.
With respect to our schools:
- As a response to the Government of Saskatchewan's direction for all school staff to take a six-day pause, all our schools will be closed from Friday, March 20, 2020 until further notice.
- During this time, there will be no school staff on premises and all doors, including those for in-school building childcare providers, will be locked.
- Our school division office will be closed to the public from Friday, March 20, 2020 until further notice.
- Select staff, including myself and the management team, will be working at the division office at this time ensuring that critical functions, such as IT, HR, Finance and employee payroll continue to operate on behalf of all Regina Public School employees.
- Please do not visit the school division office, but if you have any questions, we will do our best to answer them. Contact info@rbe.sk.ca or call 306 523-3000. We will have staff answering telephones and email. However, we do ask that your first refer to www.reginapublicschools.ca and to Twitter @regpublicschool for updates and information.
- For your information, our school-based staff have been asked to stay home, as directed by the government for the six-day pause period.
- For your further information, and to ease any concerns that you may have, we have made accommodations for all Regina Public Schools employees who because of personal, health, or family reasons cannot attend to duties as assigned. We would like all school families to understand that the health and mental wellness of all employees is critical to our school division and to our ability continue to provide excellent education services to our students in the future.
What continues to be important to us is the health and wellness of everyone in our school family. This includes students, parents, guardians, and extended family.
Please take the time, when and if you can, to spend time with your families. Engage in activities that provide comfort and peace and balance. Also, please heed the advice of professionals wash your hands often, practice social distancing, contact 811 or otherwise, if directed for health concerns.
Together, I am confident that we will persevere and all of us, especially students will have stories and experiences to tell that will inspire future generations.
Here are some resources that I hope you will find helpful.
First and foremost, the Government of Saskatchewan COVID-19 information link.
The Regina Public Schools website health and wellness page.
Please consider the following ideas to support you and your families in the coming days and weeks.
- Practice Self-Compassion. Even those who don't typically struggle with anxiety may experience increased anxiety during uncertain times, so don't be hard on yourself if you are feeling more worried or anxious than usual.
- Practice Self-Care. It remains important to engage in healthy and relaxing activities that you enjoy. Consider a wide variety of fun, intellectually stimulating, and physically active options such as reading for professional growth or leisure, cooking, practicing yoga, exercise, meditation, and spending time in nature.
- Stay Connected. Stay connected with family and friends.
- Establish and maintain routines. Keeping similar routines and developing healthy new routines helps provide predictability and a sense of safety for you and your family.
Supportive Resources
Regina Public Schools will strive to keep all school families informed. We appreciate your trust, your patience and your support and we look forward to seeing our students smiling faces back in the classrooms and playgrounds as soon as is possible.
Keep healthy!
