The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board spokesperson has clarified remarks concerning the Principal of Northumberland Hills Public School in Castleton.
On Monday, November 30, 2020 Principal Stephen Koshurba issued a statement to students, staff and family members along with posting it on the school’s Facebook site.
The message stated, the school had learned that Tim Hortons, “has been closed because of confirmed COVID-19 cases.”
“Some of our families either work in this facility or are in close contact with people that work in this particular location.”
The message went on to state that the health unit’s request to follow protocol put in place for children attending the school.
Spokesperson for the school board, Greg Kidd initially stated on Monday, December 1, 2020, “In speaking with the Principal that message/content was shared on behalf of HKPR Health Unit.”
But in a later e-mail stated, “it seems I need to correct some things. In reviewing again with the Principal at Northumberland Hills, there were some things that weren’t clear from my earlier conversation with him. The email home was to help respond to some parent inquiries he was getting, and after discussion with HKPR staff, they helped him with the public health language. The final product was his alone and the reference to the work place in question was an error.”
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Good evening,
We have heard today that the Tim Hortons at the 401 and county Rd. 25 has been closed because of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Some of our families either work in this facility or are in close contact with people that work in this particular location. Based on the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit, the follow protocol is in place for your children and attendance at school:
If you are contacted directly by someone at Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Public Health and they tell you that you MUST self-isolate for 14 days and get a COVID test, then you must isolate from your children for that time as well. If you cannot commit to isolating from your children, then they must stay at home and self-isolate with you for the next 14 days. Even if your test is negative, you must still self-isolate for the 14 day period.
If you have NOT been contacted directly by someone at Public Health and you are asymptomatic (i.e., no symptoms of illness), then you self-monitor using our COVID-19 self-screening each morning. You may send your children to school as long as everyone in the household remains without symptoms.
If you have specific questions about school protocols, please reach out to Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Public Health directly at: 1 – 866-888-4577 (ext. 5020). This is the school information line.
Self-monitor means – Doing the daily COVID-19 self-check. If your child has any symptoms, please keep your child home.
Self-Screening Link: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
Please be aware that we will be in close contact with our local health unit and will keep you informed of updates.
Stephen Koshurba
Principal
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