Dear ASD-N Families,

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we continue to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 Global Pandemic.

This afternoon, the Province of New Brunswick announced new restrictions and safety guidelines affecting schools across the province. As of midnight tonight, all youth sports for children under 12 years old are cancelled until further notice, including all community use of schools for youth sports. The province will provide an update when these programs may resume. In addition, all youth sports for ages 12 and over will be reduced to one team practices/skills and drills only. All upcoming games and tournaments are cancelled until further notice from the province.

The Province of N.B. also announced that classes for students in grades Kindergarten to Grade 6 will be dismissed for the holiday break at the end of the day on Friday, December 17^th as opposed to midday on Thursday, December 23^rd. This decision is being made in an effort to curb the spread of COVID, among students who are not yet fully vaccinated (ages 5-11), to more vulnerable members of the community. There is no expectation for learning for these grades until school resumes on Monday, January 10^th, 2022.  All K – Gr. 6 staff will report to their respective schools next week to prepare for January.

Students in Grades 7-12 will continue to attend school until midday on Thursday, December 23^rd as previously planned.

All students in grades Kindergarten to Grade 8 will receive rapid testing kits this week. We will let families know when we receive these kits from the province and provide further instructions at that time.

Thank you for your continued patience.

Rest assured, student safety remains our highest priority.

Sincerely,

Mark Donovan