Post-Holiday Return to School Plan

The Valley Unified Education Service Center has developed a plan for transitioning back to school after the Holiday Break.  To review the details of our transition plan, read the letter from Superintendent of Schools, Ben Sirois, at bit.ly/34V969r or click on the image below.  

As always, we thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to maintain quality educational programming while also ensuring our students and staff remain safe and healthy.

We wish you all a Happy New Year.

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We Need Substitute Teachers

Valley Unified schools need additional members for our team of dedicated Substitute Teachers.  

We offer a solid daily pay-rate and service incentives.

Earn While Helping Students Learn! 

For more information about this opportunity, go to bit.ly/34Cpeg8 or click on the image below.

Don't wait!  Apply today!

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Municipality Leaders from several communities weigh in on Regional School Project

 Please see two letters below from both the MSAD27 municipal leaders and the Town of Frenchville leaders on their position for the Regional School Project. 

Click here or the image above for the Frenchville letter. 

Click here or the image above for the MSAD27 joint Municipality letter.  

Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families: December 7 - 13

 We thank the MSAD27 families for your understanding and patience as we moved to the Remote Learning Framework after last Sunday’s announcement and also to the MSAD33 and the Madawaska School Department families for your understanding and patience as we moved into a Hybrid Model only 2 days later.   Teaching staff are reporting that students are able to connect remotely at a higher success rate as compared to the spring.  It is apparent that our efforts to make both models more prescriptive, following the regular school schedule as close as possible, is helpful.

Please click the image below for this week's updates. Wishing you all good health.

Click here or the image above

Update on December Teacher Workshop Day

In case you missed our previous notices, the December, 2020 Teacher Workshop Day has been changed from Friday, December 18 to Wednesday, December 16.  For more information on this change, go to bit.ly/3a13zBA or click on the image below.

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Valley Unified Update - December 9, 2020

Please see the attached update which includes the latest information regarding an upcoming mediation that will occur between the three Valley Unified partners. 

We appreciate the public's patience with inquiries about Valley Unified.  The recent events that have caused our schools to move to remote or hybrid learning have been the priority at this time.  

Click here or the image above to access the update.

Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families: November 30 to December 6

To review the latest Valley Unified Education Service Center School Reintegration Update for Students and Families, go to bit.ly/3gk5diN or click on the image below.  Thanks to all Valley Unified families, students, and staff for all you do to keep our schools safe.

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How We'll Decide if We Need to Move to Hybrid or Remote Learning

The Valley Unified Education Service Center has updated its guidance and decision-making process for determining whether or when to move from In-School, In-Person Learning to either Hybrid or Remote Learning.

Superintendent of Schools, Benjamin Sirois, has prepared a letter for Valley Unified students, families, and community members about this update.

To read the letter and review our updated guidance, go to bit.ly/3qmiH2k, or click on the image below.

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A Message from Valley Unified's School Physician

Dr. Alexandra Roberts, School Physician for the Valley Unified Education Service Center, offers a message to all Valley Unified staff, students, and families regarding staying safe and healthy as we enter the holiday season.  

To view a video of Dr. Robert's message, go to bit.ly/3ft9MqE or click on the image below.  

We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

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School Cancellation Notice

Due to mixed precipitation, iced-over back roads, and slushy main roads, all Valley Unified schools are cancelled today. Please be safe.

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Two-Hour Delay Today

All Valley Unified Schools are on a two-hour delay this morning due to icy roads. https://bit.ly/3q3UFJo.

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Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families: Week of November 16

To review the latest Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for students and families, go to bit.ly/2URJBAC or click on the image below.

The Valley Unified Education Service Center wishes all students, families, and staff a Happy Thanksgiving.  Please know we are grateful for your on-going support, understanding, and patience during this challenging school year.

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SJVTC Featured on WAGM TV 8

On Thursday, November 12, students and programs at the St. John Valley Technology Center - the Career and Technical Education arm of the Valley Unified Education Service Center - were featured on the WAGM TV 8 evening newscast.  

To view the segment and to hear about the programs and from students about their learning experiences at the SJVTC, click here or on the image below.

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Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families: Week of November 9

To review the latest Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families, go to bit.ly/3ppur3F or click on the image below.  

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2020-2021 Regional School Calendar Update

The MSAD #27 and MSAD #33 School Boards and the Madawaska School Department School Committee have approved a revised School Calendar for 2020-2021.  

Beginning on November 20, all previously scheduled Early Release days will now be be full Teacher Workshop days.  Students will not attend school on these days.

To review the revised calendar with the notation, Last Update of 11/9/20, go to bit.ly/36trmGW or click on the image below.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we make adjustments for the benefit of students and staff and the betterment of teaching and learning during these challenging times.

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Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families: 10-26-20 to 11-1-20

To review the Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families for the week October 26 to November 1, 2020, go to https://bit.ly/2JsSxtR or click on the image below.

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From the St. John Valley to NASA

Kevin Lavoie, director of the St. John Valley Technology Center (SJVTC), the Career and Technical Education arm of the Valley Unified Education Service Center, received notification on October 22, that a design and prototype project completed in 2019 by SJVTC students, Shelbie Dumais of Madawaska and Paige Paradis of Fort Kent, will now enter the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Design Development project phase for the International Space Station.

Dumais and Paradis were juniors in the SJVTC Advanced Technologies I program led by Mr. Mitchell Daigle when they designed their Advanced Resistive Device (ARED) Cable Cover prototype which they presented to NASA engineers at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX in April, 2019 through the High school students United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) program.

The SJVTC joined the HUNCH program in 2018.  HUNCH is a partnership between NASA and 77 schools from 24 states in the U.S.  Through the program, students help address NASA-identified needs for the space station by engaging in hands-on Project Based Learning opportunities that help strengthen their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills.

To read the letter of congratulations sent to Lavoie by NASA's HUNCH Implementation Project Manager, Florence Gold, go to bit.ly/3oJQulh or click on the image below.

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Upcoming Valley Unified Table-To-Trunk Food Distribution Initiative

ATTENTION PARENTS/GUARDIANS - VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOLS

Valley Unified Director of Food Services/School Food Pantry Administrator, Melanie Lagasse, has organized Table-To-Trunk Food Distribution Events one Saturday a month at locations in each Valley Unified school unit, beginning next month on the following dates and at the following locations and times:

• Saturday, November 7 - Wisdom Middle/High School - 10 AM - 1 PM
• Saturday, November 14 - Fort Kent Elementary School - 10 AM - 1 PM
• Saturday, November 21 - Madawaska Middle/High School - 10 AM - 1 PM

Parents/guardians of school-age children whose families are in need of this service should contact Lagasse at mlagasse@vuesc.org for more information and to reserve their food boxes.

NOTE: During food box pick-up times, drivers and passengers will remain in their vehicles and food boxes will be placed in their trunks.  

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Update on Status of VUESC and Proposed Regional School Project

We have prepared another update for you concerning the status of the Valley Unified Education Service Center and the proposed Valley Unified Regional Middle/High School.

To read this second update, go to bit.ly/35blgdT or click on the image below.  

Thank you for your continued interest in the education of our region's young people.

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Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families: 10-12-20 to 10-16-20

To review the Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families for the week of October 12-16, 2020, go to https://bit.ly/31haOQY or click on the image below.

For all your support and encouragement during these past seven weeks of successful return to instruction for our students, we extend our thanks to all Valley Unified parents, families, staff, and community members.

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Valley Unified School Nutrition Programs Achieve Gold Standard

Valley Unified Food Service Director, Melanie Lagasse, recently learned that all six Valley Unified elementary and middle/high schools earned Smarter Lunchroom gold awards for 2020 from Let's Go!

Let's Go! works with School Nutrition programs to:

• increase participation in school meals
• improve the perception of school meals
• improve the nutritional quality of school meals

Using Smarter Lunchroom cutting-edge strategies, School Nutrition programs partner with Let's Go! to improve the health of students and to help ensure they are ready and able to learn by providing them access to healthy, nutritious foods.

Congratulations to and thanks for all they do go out to the School Nutrition teams at:

• Dr. Levesque Elementary School
• Fort Kent Elementary School
• Madawaska Elementary School
• Madawaska Middle/High School
• Valley Rivers Middle School/Fort Kent Community High School
• Wisdom Middle/High School

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Valley Unified Think Tank to Occur on Wednesday, October 14

There will be a Valley Unified Think Tank meeting on Wednesday, October 14 beginning at 6:00pm. This is work group meeting where no quorums or decisions will be made; however, each School Administrative District representative will be discussing concerns that have been brought forth in an effort to resolve those concerns and move forward with the regional school project.  

Those looking to view the meeting simply need to go to https://bit.ly/MrSiroisYouTube

Check Out the New SJVTC Heavy Equipment Operation Program

The St. John Valley Technology Center (SJVTC) -- the Career and Technical Education (CTE) arm of the Valley Unified Education Center -- has a new Heavy Equipment Construction Operation (HECO) program this year.

 

Developed in response to a needs assessment conducted with local employers and the results of student interest surveys, the HECO program has eight students from the three Valley Unified sending high schools enrolled for 2020-2021.

Program instructor is Mike Berube, a Certified Logging Professional (CLP) with 20 years experience operating and maintaining heavy equipment.  Berube, who has also owned heavy equipment, commented that "we've needed this program for some time in this region, because skilled operators are in high demand."

In the HECO program, instruction and skills-based learning is based on the standards from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).  Students in the program use simulators and actual machinery to learn skid steer, excavator, loader, and dump truck operation and maintenance skills.

For more information on this program, go to page 11 of the SJVTC 2020-2021 Program of Studies at bit.ly/3jJX4VT or click on the image below.  Students and parents interested in the HECO program should contact their school Guidance Counselor.

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SJVTC has Added Electrical Construction to Program Menu

In response to a needs assessment conducted with local employers and the results of student interest surveys, the St. John Valley Technology Center (SJVTC), the Career and Technical Education (CTE) arm of the Valley Unified Education Service Center, has added Electrical Construction to its program menu this school year.

The program is housed in leased space a short distance from the SJVTC at the former LJB Plumbing and Heating site at 409 U.S. Route 1 in Frenchville.  A total of eight students from the three Valley Unified sending high schools are enrolled in the first year of the program.  

Program instructor is Jan Perreault, a Master Electrician with 15 years experience.  According to Perreault, "the electrical field has so many different career opportunities and the demand for skilled workers is high, so my job is to introduce and give students the chance to apply a broad set of skills."

During this first year, students are learning various residential wiring methods and techniques that meet or exceed National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.  In year two of the program, students will learn more advanced skills while earning experience hours that fulfill electrical journeyman licensing requirements. 

For more information about this new hands-on, application-based, career-focused learning opportunity, go to page 8 of the SJVTC 2020-2021 Program of Studies at bit.ly/34h6n8S or click on the image below.  Students and parents who are interested in this program should contact their high school Guidance Counselor.

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We Know You're Wondering

Based on the number of questions we've heard, either directly or through others, we know that many of you are wondering about the status of the Valley Unified Education Service Center, in general, and the proposed Valley Unified Regional Middle/High School, in particular.

In an effort to address your questions, Valley Unified Superintendent of Schools, Benjamin Sirois, has written a letter that provides a detailed summary of key information points for Valley Unified community members, parents, students, families, and staff.

To read Superintendent Sirois' letter, go to bit.ly/30BhpFr or click on the image below.  Thank you for your interest in the education of our region's young people.  We hope this status update answers your questions.

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Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students and Families: 9-28 to 10-4

To review the Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for the week beginning September 28 and ending October 4, go to bit.ly/3jx5vDM or click on the image below.

Valley Unified looks forward to welcoming Middle/High School students back to school from Harvest Recess tomorrow, October 6.

All Valley Unified families are reminded that today, October 5, is a Professional Development Day for staff and that students will not be attending school.

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Sports & Entertainment Marketing: Our Newest SELECTIVES Course

Through the Valley Unified SELECTIVES Initiative, learners at Madawaska High School, Community High School in Fort Kent, and Wisdom High School in St. Agatha, are engaged this fall in elective blended learning opportunities (a mix of anytime, anywhere learning and face-to-face instruction) in the following career-focused and/or special interest topics:

• Healthcare Career Preparation (earns articulated credit at Northern Maine Community College)
• Introduction to Criminology, Forensics & Criminal Justice (earns articulated credit at the University of Maine at Fort Kent)
• Modern Digital Multimedia & Game Development
• Principles of Business, Marketing & Finance
• Principles of Engineering & Technology
• Principles of Photography
• Sports & Entertainment Marketing

To review the syllabus/pacing guide for for our newest SELECTIVES learning opportunity, Sports & Entertainment Marketing, go to bit.ly/36pkaxo or click on the image below.

For information on our any of our 14 SELECTIVES courses, students and parents should contact their school Guidance Counselor.

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Valley Unified Broadband Internet and Cellular Connectivity Survey

ATTENTION ALL VALLEY UNIFIED PARENTS OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

We need to know about the Broadband Internet & Cellular Connectivity where you live. Go to https://bit.ly/3n1gVC5 for a short survey.  In advance, thank you for your help.

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Alternative Schooling Enrollment Report

The Valley Unified Education Service Center strives to provide a broad range of educational opportunities to students in all the schools of the Upper St. John Valley.  One of the ways we do this is through Alternative Schooling programs and coursework for our high school students.

Alternative Schooling is an educational model designed to accommodate the varied needs and interests of students through learning opportunities and formats that are not available through their school's standard curriculum and programming.

At this early stage of the 2020-2021 school year, 69 students from Madawaska High School, Wisdom High School in St. Agatha, and Community High School in Fort Kent have enrolled in regional Alternative Schooling opportunities, including TOPS Academy, Hybrid Learning, SELECTIVES Blended Learning, and Standards/Credit Recovery.

To review the initial Valley Unified Alternative Schooling Report for 2020-2021, go to bit.ly/33Q4nEH or click on the image below.

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Valley Unified Weekly Update for Students and Families: 9-14 to 9-20

To review the Valley Unified School Reintegration Weekly Update for the week beginning September 14 and ending September 20, go to bit.ly/3mFjBVS or click on the image below.

Valley Unified extends all Middle/High School students and families a productive, enjoyable Harvest Recess and all Elementary School students and families a great week of school.

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Yes, We Will Let Them Play

The school boards/committees in Madawaska, MSAD #33, and MSAD #27 have approved a return to competition in the Fall sports of soccer, golf, and cross-country running for middle school and high school student-athletes.

Coaches and athletes will comply with the guidance and guidelines developed by the Maine Principal's Association in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, the Maine Superintendent's Association, and other state agencies, including the Governor's Office, for a safe return to athletic competition.

Competition in Fall sports will be restricted to games, contests, and meets with other teams in Aroostook County.

Attendance at home games, contests, and meets across the Upper St. John Valley and Aroostook County will be limited to 100 people, including student-athletes, coaches, officials, other game staff, and the parents/guardians of home team players.  Student-athletes will be provided tickets or badges which their parents/guardians will use to secure admission to home contests.  

If the projected number of attendees at any particular fall sports event are not expected to reach 100, then tickets or badges will be allotted to other members of each school community in a manner that has yet to be determined.

We also hope and are exploring options to live-stream home and away contests to accommodate fan interest.

To review Maine's Return to Competition Guidelines, go to Return to Competitive Athletics and Activities or click on the image below.

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Valley Unified Weekly Update for Students and Familes

 To review weekly updates for students and families, please go to VUweeklyUpdate9-7 or click on the image below.  Valley Unified extends all students and families our sincere thanks for your support and understanding as we navigate school reopening and return to instruction during these challenging times.

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Valley Unified Elementary School Students Return to School This Week

Elementary school students in Madawaska, MSAD #27, and MSAD #33 will return to school through either on-site or remote learning, beginning tomorrow, September 10 and/or Friday, September 11.

According to Principals, Lise Pelletier, Robby Nadeau, and Cheryl Hallowell, they and the staff at each school are excited, enthused, and eager to begin receiving students after extensive planning over the summer for a safe return to school for all.

Students returning to in-school instruction will receive guidance concerning face masks, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing/sanitizing.  Remote learning students will be guided on how to participate in learning through technology, Zoom meetings, and Google classroom.

At the Valley Unified elementary schools, students will see desks and tables spaced apart for physical distancing, hand sanitizing stations, and hallways marked with directional arrows or footprints to guide their movements through the buildings. 

The Valley Unified Education Service Center welcomes all elementary school pupils to the 2020-2021 school year which promises to be different but still productive.  There will be wrinkles and speed bumps, and the staff in each school are prepared to adjust and adapt as needed.

Best wishes to all students, families, and staff as our elementary school schedule gets underway. 

Pre-K students in each school will start school on September 21.

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School Lunch Program Update

For an important update on the school lunch program in Valley Unified schools, go to bit.ly/3jVZoZE or click on the image below.

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Valley Unified School Reintegration Weekly Updates: Week of August 31 - September 6

 Valley Unified is dedicated to keeping our students and families updated on our school reintegration process.  We will therefore provide a weekly update as we bring students back to in-classroom learning, and manage remote learning needs at the same time.  Each weekly update will focus on the updates and information specific to health and wellness of our students and staff, in addition to new information we receive from the Department of Education. 

We appreciate all the help and support each of you have extended to us during this transition.  Valley Unified Schools are blessed to be able to return to school safely while there is no/low community spread of COVID-19.   

Click on the image for this week's update

And We're Off!

Valley Unified Middle/High School students from the Madawaska School Department, MSAD #33, and MSAD #27 started the 2020-2021 school year -- a year unlike any we've ever experienced -- on Thursday, August 27 or Friday, August 28 through a staggered first day schedule with half the student body in each school attending on Thursday and the other half participating on Friday.

The opening days focused on health and safety protocols. 

Face coverings, one-way hallways and staircases, physical distancing, and Google Classroom were among the key features and topics of each day.

There were hiccups and wrinkles but students and staff remained positive and adapted as necessary.

We at the Valley Unified Education Service Center thank our students, their families, and all school staff for their spirit of patience, determination and positivity during these opening days and throughout our return to school planning process. 

We could not have done this without you and your support and understanding.

With our procedure-focused opening days and the lessons we learned from them behind us, we look forward to the start of full day, full week instruction for Middle/High School students on Monday, August 31.

We wish you all a productive and successful school year!

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A Resource Guide for Staying Healthy and Well During COVID-19

As a service to our students, staff, and their families, the Valley Unified Education Service Center, relying on the experience and expertise of our Health and Physical Education teachers, has compiled a resource guide of sample indoor and outdoor physical and fresh air activity suggestions to engage in during these challenging times brought on by COVID-19.

To review the guide and even add suggested activities you'd like to share with others across the Upper St. John Valley, go to bit.ly/323WpHg or click on the image below.  Stay healthy and be well.

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Important Update on the Start of School

In order for our schools to open safely, we want to ensure that all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available for our staff and students.  

Additionally, we need to ensure that all safety measures, including temperature screening tools, floor signage, and informational displays are in place.  

Finally, we still need all parents/guardians to complete a school enrollment form for their children, so we know if they are coming back to in-classroom instruction or if they will be participating in remote learning to start the year.  School enrollment forms are available at www.vuesc.org.  

Because all of the above measures have not been finalized, Valley Unified Schools, including MSAD27, MSAD33, and the Madawaska School Department have delayed the start of the school year by one week.  

All 7-12 students will be now starting on August 27 and all K-6 students will be starting on September 10.  The Pre-K start date of September 21 remains the same.  To view our updated calendar, go to bit.ly/3aoA2zW or click on the image below.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prepare for a safe return to school.  

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Valley Unified One-Stop Resource for Returning to School

As the students, staff, parents, families, and communities across the Upper St. John Valley prepare for the start of school this month for our Middle/High Schools and in September for our Elementary Schools, the Valley Unified Education Service Center has created a convenient one-stop website where all the resources we've used for our return to instruction planning and our school reintegration plan are located.

To review these resources, go to vuesc.org or click on the image below.  We encourage you to bookmark this link as we will post up-to-date information and news here on an on-going basis.

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Important and Helpful Information for Valley Unified Parents/Guardians

The Valley Unified School Social Workers have prepared important and helpful information and a checklist of considerations for parents/guardians that will be useful in preparing their children and youth for returning to school in August for Middle/High School and for Elementary School in September.

To review this resource, go to bit.ly/33CmTSs or click on the image below.

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Valley Unified School Reintegration Guide

At meetings this week the Madawaska School Committee, MSAD #27 School Board, and MSAD #33 School Board approved the Valley Unified School Reintegration Guide - a plan for returning to school in the Upper St. John Valley.

Our middle/high schools are set to receive students on August 20 and our elementary schools will start on September 3.

Our School Reintegration Guide provides parents and families the information they need to understand what it will be like for our young people to return to or start school in 2020-2021, a school year that will be unlike any we've ever experienced before.

We know our regions's parents and families have been waiting for this plan, and we thank you for your patience as we've worked to develop a reintegration guide that prioritizes and outlines a safe return to school for all.  

To review this comprehensive plan and the important student and staff health and safety considerations it includes, go to bit.ly/2XDT1RV or click on the image below.

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