Like many other institutions scrambling to keep up with all the changes happening since the province declared a state of emergency, our education system is in the same boat.

During this turbulent time, the school division wants to ensure the education community that their focus is on the health and well being of its students and staff.

Chinook School Division is doing its due diligence by maintaining an open line of communication with its teachers, student families and the Ministry of Education.

The entire province is mandated to follow the state of emergency protocol that is directed by the Chief Medical Officer and as such, the Government of Saskatchewan announced the indefinite suspension of schools in the province beginning Friday, March 20.

In terms of how long 'indefinite suspension' means has yet to be determined. It could mean the school year has ended or it may mean when the COVID-19 outbreak has stabilized. It is impossible to know at this point so no final determination has been made.

In addition to this announcement, the Ministry of Education has also announced an educational pause for school programming from March 20 to March 27 inclusive, meaning parents, families and staff will still be able to contact the school division office for inquires.

Another area of concern that the division would like to alleviate for parents is the expectation that parents are now expected to teach their children from home. Chinook wants to confirm that there is no academic emergency now. Instead, they encourage parents to focus on the health and safety of family and to make the most of this time.

One of the Ministry of Education’s plan is to ensure the successful completion of high school courses and that grade 12 students can continue to improve their standings. Once the pause is lifted, the teachers will reach out and provide instructional support to students and resources for parents.

The main take away from this crisis is to remember that the school division is doing its best to keep everyone informed and to thank everyone for their understanding and patience as we all try to adapt to the ever-changing circumstance known as COVID-19.