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UPDATE: N.B. Schools Likely Closed For The Rest Of The School Year

Saint John, NB, Canada / 97.3 The Wave
Brad Perry
Apr 2, 2020 | 11:19 AM
UPDATE: N.B. Schools Likely Closed For The Rest Of The School Year

Bill McChesney / CC



New Brunswick’s education minister says schools will likely remain closed for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.

Dominic Cardy said Thursday the school year will not be extended in any way unless the pandemic situation improves drastically.

“If that information does become available and there is a miracle cure suddenly that is found proven to work, of course, we will look at that. But at this point we have no reason to believe that the situation will be recoverable for the school year,” he said.

Cardy said plans are being developed for home learning options and more details will be released in the near future.

“In the days to come, schools in both sectors will be in contact with families to share home learning options and activities to guide in the development of age-appropriate life skills along with activities to support physical and mental well-being,” said Cardy.

Cardy said the online learning programs will feature between one and two-and-a-half hours of learning each day.

“In addition to completing suggested home learning options, students and families are encouraged to read for a minimum of 30 minutes daily and to engage in 30 minutes of physical activity to promote physical health and mental well-being,” he said.

Educational resources for students in the anglophone sector will also be shared on the newly-established New Brunswick Family Resources website. Francophone school districts are in the process of developing their own website and more information will be available in the coming days.

Educators will be contacting families weekly and teachers will participate in the development of home learning options, as well as preparing for the eventual return of students to the classroom.

Cardy said students in a position to move forward to the next grade level will do so. Grade 12 students who were on track to graduate will receive their diploma.

He said decisions on graduation ceremonies and other graduation events will be made in the coming weeks, based on direction from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.