Here's how Saskatoon area schools are responding to the end of COVID-19 case reporting
As of Friday, parents and caregivers are no longer required to report kids' positive COVID-19 tests to schools.
Also, unvaccinated close contacts are no longer required to self-isolate and the isolation time for unvaccinated individuals has been reduced from 10 to five days.
Here is how Saskatoon area schools are responding to the changes announced on Thursday.
SASKATOON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
In a letter to parents and caregivers, the city's public school division said it is immediately dissolving its communication process for positive cases.
"Saskatoon Public Schools values open and transparent communication with families and this will not change," the letter from education director Shane Skjerven said.
"Without a requirement to report positive cases to schools, our school division cannot accurately track this information and report it to the school community," Skjerven said.
In the absence of a public health order or direction from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Skjerven said the division can't share private health information.
Parents and caregivers whose kids test positive for COVID-19 are instructed to simply report the student as "sick."
GREATER SASKATOON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
In its message to parents and caregivers, the city's Catholic division said it will no longer send exposure notifications to parents and caregivers.
"Everyone is reminded to continue self-monitoring for symptoms, use rapid antigen tests to monitor and detect positive cases, and stay home if you are not feeling well or test positive," the division said.
As with the city's public division, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools said without direction from the province or health officials, it does not have the authority to share health information that parents and caregivers share in confidence.
The division also said any classes that are currently online will resume in-class learning on Jan. 31.
PRAIRIE SPIRIT SCHOOL DIVISION
The school division serving communities outside Saskatoon, including Warman and Martensville, said it will no longer provide daily COVID-19 notifications to the school community as a result of changes announced on Thursday.
"Those who test positive are required to self-isolate and will be absent from school and activities for the duration of the self-isolation period," education director Darryl Bazylak said in a letter to parents and caregivers.
Any Prairie Spirit classes now learning online will return to in-class learning as of Feb. 1.
"We expect students and staff members to stay home if they have any symptoms. If your child tests positive for COVID-19 or is sick, please report their absence as 'illness' when you contact the school," Bazylak said.
"This information is requested by Public Health as part of their ongoing monitoring at schools."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.