Collège Louis-Riel shuts down temporarily

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/11/2020 (1888 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Collège Louis-Riel will remain temporarily closed until at least Nov. 9 after several cases of COVID-19 were confirmed among members of the school’s community.

In a letter dated Oct. 28 from the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine that was sent to home to families, the division’s superintendent Alain Laberge said the increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Winnipeg area forced officials to make “a difficult but necessary decision.”

In the letter, Laberge said recent results from health authorities indicate there are an increasing number of reported cases in the area, and although the vast majority of these cases come from “outside of our schools, they end up having an impact on our students and our staff.”

“In particular, we note a resurgence of cases at Collège Louis-Riel. Although public health tells us that there are four new confirmed cases, in order to minimize the risk of transmission, we ask all parents to keep their children at home until (Nov. 6), inclusive.” Students will be able to return to school on (Nov. 9), the letter states.

Laberge said he acknowledges the unexpected inconvenience, but stressed the decision was made in the best of interests of students, school staff and the health of the community. He said that students would be able to continue their education remotely, and there will be regular contact between staff and students and their families.

“Cohorts and individuals in isolation will continue to be required to comply with isolation restrictions. Those who have not received such a directive are encouraged to limit their interactions with people outside their homes so that together we can work to ensure a return to school as soon as possible,” the letter ends.

Talking to the Lance on Oct. 29, Laberge said a number of the school’s cohorts had been affected by positive tests of COVID-19. At press time, there had been eight confirmed cases at the St. Boniface-based school.

“Sending everyone home was the best thing we could do,” Laberge said, noting that he can’t guarantee the school will reopen on Nov. 9, but that remains the plan barring further dramatic developments.

“We’re going to keep monitoring things daily.

“We’re doing this for the community. Although most of the confirmed cases at Collège Louis-Riel have come from outside the school, it’s our duty to collaborate with the community to help stop this pandemic.”

At press time, the school was undergoing intensive cleaning procedures.

Brigitte L’Heureux, executive director of the Fédération des parents de la francophonie manitobaine said from the perspective of a parent, it’s “better to be safe than sorry.”

She acknowledged that while learning at home brings a whole set of challenges for parents and caregivers, it’s a “chance for parents at home to monitor their child,” while the child isn’t in close contact with their classmates.

L’Heureux said while some parents won’t have been prepared for the temporary closure, many knew it was a possibility.

“As time goes by, this might not be a unique situation across Winnipeg. The key thing is that parents stay informed and work in partnership with the schools, so that their kids are still able to learn. It’s about collaboration.”

Go online at www.dsfm.mb.ca for more information.