NLPS update on COVID-19

Message from Northern Lights Public Schools:

Earlier this week we committed to sharing updates about COVID-19 and what we are doing in our schools when there was new information to share. We have been monitoring what has been happening in the province and reviewing the information and updates provided by Alberta Health. A lot has happened over the last couple of days and we have some updates to share with you.

• Just this afternoon, Alberta Health recommended that all large gatherings (defined as more than 250 people) be cancelled. At this time, schools remain open, but we will be taking steps to ensure that not more than 250 people are in the same room at any given time. This will affect activities such as school assemblies. We will also be reviewing any upcoming events that may include more than 250 people and will cancel them if needed. We continue to be in close contact with Alberta Health and Alberta Education and will be following any additional recommendations or directives for schools issued with respect to COVID-19.
• Our custodians are continuing with their regular practice of cleaning all high touch areas (doorknobs, light switches, bathroom stall doors) and surfaces (including student desks) in our schools on a daily basis. The cleaning product we use is Vert 2 Go and it is hydrogen peroxide based. It is approved by Health Canada. Parents are asked to refrain from sending cleaning wipes (such as Lysol wipes) to school as those products can react with the Vert 2 Go product. Schools have access to cleaning wipes to use during the day if needed.
• Our schools regularly remind students of the importance of handwashing and good hygiene practices, but we will be placing greater emphasis on this. This will include:
  • daily announcements focused on handwashing, not touching your face with unwashed hands, and coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your sleeve, etc.
  • handwashing posters (Handwashing Poster – NLPS) will be placed in all school washrooms and other areas where handwashing might take place

THE LATEST ON COVID-19

There is a lot of information being shared about COVID-19, some of which is good and some that is not very accurate. We are including some links below where you can find out more information and go to for updates. One of these is a link that provides information about how to talk to children about COVID-19 and what is happening.

• Alberta Health COVID-19 Coronavirus Information for Albertans – includes links to the latest information regarding COVID – 19 from Alberta Health
• Northern Lights Public Schools – we will be posting the information in this email on our website and will put any updates here
• NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) – a link to a document that is a parent resource for talking to children about COVID-19

We will be providing everyone with another update when we have more information to share. We would like to thank all of your for your patience and co-operation as we work together to maintain a safe and caring learning environment for our students.