Updates from CrossRoads regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Archived Updates:
UPDATE: AUGUST 19, 2020
CrossRoads is happy to announce the return of in-person classes for our Fall 2020 programming!
We will be closely following health directives and provincial mandates for all our classes in order to keep students and staff as safe as possible. Today the province announced mandatory masks for all Grades 4-12 students and staff, which we fully support.
Please check back in September for our full plan for Restoring Safe Classes.
CrossRoads is happy to announce the return of in-person classes for our Fall 2020 programming!
We will be closely following health directives and provincial mandates for all our classes in order to keep students and staff as safe as possible. Today the province announced mandatory masks for all Grades 4-12 students and staff, which we fully support.
Please check back in September for our full plan for Restoring Safe Classes.
UPDATE: MARCH 31, 2020
MANITOBA K-12 SCHOOLS CLOSE INDEFINITELY
Classes for all K-12 schools will close indefinitely for this year due to the COVIC-19 pandemic. Teachers will continue to teach remotely, assign work, and conduct assessments. At this moment, we are awaiting guidance on how Adult Learning Centres should proceed, but we will likely fall in like with what the K-12 system is doing.
What this means for the time being, is that classes will continue as before with the majority of the work and interaction being done with teachers being online. It is crucial that you connect with your teachers to advise of your access to technology and limitations that may come as a result of this change.
Classes that were scheduled to run in Trimester 3 - starting on April 6, will proceed as planned. More details will follow this week from your teachers. If you do not receive an email by the end of the week, please call or email the school on Monday morning!
More details will follow as this change evolves we are given further information. For more information on the K-12 school changes, please read: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/pallister-education-minister-covid-19-measures-1.5516053
Stay well,
Barbara
MANITOBA K-12 SCHOOLS CLOSE INDEFINITELY
Classes for all K-12 schools will close indefinitely for this year due to the COVIC-19 pandemic. Teachers will continue to teach remotely, assign work, and conduct assessments. At this moment, we are awaiting guidance on how Adult Learning Centres should proceed, but we will likely fall in like with what the K-12 system is doing.
What this means for the time being, is that classes will continue as before with the majority of the work and interaction being done with teachers being online. It is crucial that you connect with your teachers to advise of your access to technology and limitations that may come as a result of this change.
Classes that were scheduled to run in Trimester 3 - starting on April 6, will proceed as planned. More details will follow this week from your teachers. If you do not receive an email by the end of the week, please call or email the school on Monday morning!
More details will follow as this change evolves we are given further information. For more information on the K-12 school changes, please read: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/pallister-education-minister-covid-19-measures-1.5516053
Stay well,
Barbara
UPDATE: MARCH 20, 2020
SCHOOL CLOSURE
As many of you are already aware, in response to COVID-19 health concerns, all schools across Manitoba will be suspending classes from March 23rd to April 10th, 2020. During these uncertain times, everyone at CrossRoads has been working hard this week to ensure that all students will be engaged in learning activities from the safety of their homes in the upcoming weeks. Teachers will be contacting all students to provide them with information on how to access information and course materials.
Our amazing staff have been undergoing intensive learning this week in order to adjust classes and switch to an online delivery method. As you can imagine, this has not been an easy task. Teachers will strive to maintain our high standards and create meaningful learning opportunities in spite of all of the challenges that such a change creates. We do ask for your patience as we learn to navigate these ever changing dynamics with you. Teachers will continue to be available for questions during regularly scheduled class times - please be sure to check your emails for information from your instructors on how to best contact them. Many teachers will be exploring innovative technology like Edmodo and Zoom. Please be sure to inform your instructors if you have limited internet access. Switching to an online method can create several barriers for students, and staying connected to our students during this time, more than ever, remains our top priority.
Please do not hesitate to contact your teachers via email, should you have any questions or concerns. Messages will also be checked on the school phone (204-953-2030) during the closure.
We hope to see you all again soon. Stay safe and well out there.
Yours in Learning,
Barbara Reimer
Director, CrossRoads Learning Centre
SCHOOL CLOSURE
As many of you are already aware, in response to COVID-19 health concerns, all schools across Manitoba will be suspending classes from March 23rd to April 10th, 2020. During these uncertain times, everyone at CrossRoads has been working hard this week to ensure that all students will be engaged in learning activities from the safety of their homes in the upcoming weeks. Teachers will be contacting all students to provide them with information on how to access information and course materials.
Our amazing staff have been undergoing intensive learning this week in order to adjust classes and switch to an online delivery method. As you can imagine, this has not been an easy task. Teachers will strive to maintain our high standards and create meaningful learning opportunities in spite of all of the challenges that such a change creates. We do ask for your patience as we learn to navigate these ever changing dynamics with you. Teachers will continue to be available for questions during regularly scheduled class times - please be sure to check your emails for information from your instructors on how to best contact them. Many teachers will be exploring innovative technology like Edmodo and Zoom. Please be sure to inform your instructors if you have limited internet access. Switching to an online method can create several barriers for students, and staying connected to our students during this time, more than ever, remains our top priority.
Please do not hesitate to contact your teachers via email, should you have any questions or concerns. Messages will also be checked on the school phone (204-953-2030) during the closure.
We hope to see you all again soon. Stay safe and well out there.
Yours in Learning,
Barbara Reimer
Director, CrossRoads Learning Centre
UPDATE: MARCH 17, 2020, 2:30 PM
IMPORTANT REMINDER TO STUDENTS RE: UPDATED EMAIL ADDRESS/HOW TO STAY INFORMED
Please ensure that you have a current, updated email address and phone number provided to your teachers. COVID-19 (coronavirus) planning and information will be communicated to you this way. Please visit this page regularly for updates and watch your email for information from your instructor about course delivery; please note delivery plans could be subject to change with minimal notice. As we are partnered with MITT, we will also be posting the information that they are sharing with their students here as well.
UPDATE: MARCH 16, 2020
IMPORTANT REMINDER TO STUDENTS RE: PICKING UP COURSE MATERIALS
Please be advised that teachers are currently working on preparing course packages/materials in all classes. If you need to come down to the school to pick up materials in person, please do not come down to the school if you are currently ill, or have come in contact with a person with COVID-19. We will make arrangements with you to get you the course material another way.
IMPORTANT REMINDER TO STUDENTS RE: PICKING UP COURSE MATERIALS
Please be advised that teachers are currently working on preparing course packages/materials in all classes. If you need to come down to the school to pick up materials in person, please do not come down to the school if you are currently ill, or have come in contact with a person with COVID-19. We will make arrangements with you to get you the course material another way.
IMPORTANT UPDATES REGARDING TRAVEL
The Government of Canada is advising:
- All Canadians avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice
- That many countries have put in place travel or border restrictions and other measures such as movement restrictions and quarantines.
- That new restrictions may be imposed with little warning.
- That your travel plans may be severely disrupted and you may be forced to remain outside of Canada.
Manitoba Health advises “All Manitobans . . . are strongly advised to cancel or postpone any non-essential international travel.”
If you are considering any travel for personal reasons, please consider the warnings issued by our governments. For travel advisories, please visit, www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
In addition, CrossRoads/MITT staff please view this important information from Manitoba Blue Cross about COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the impact on travel medical coverage. If you are out of the country, and do not have valid health insurance with due to COVID-19 being a known risk or being stranded outside Canada for a prolonged period, you could face serious personal and financial risk.
If you have been traveling, please follow the guidelines from the Province of Manitoba. As of March 15, 2020, “all international travelers should self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after returning to Canada.” This includes travel from the United States. If you have travelled and have returned to Canada from any other country since March 1 (14 days ago) please self-isolate – phone Health Links and advise People Services. International travelers who have developed cold or flu like symptoms within 14 days of returning to Canada should call Health Links at 204 788 8200 or 1 888 315 9257 for advice on accessing the health system (getting tested). Directions change quickly, please refer to: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/index.html.
IMPORTANT UPDATES REGARDING COVID-19 RELATED SCAMS
According to the Province of Manitoba: “There have been reports of multiple phishing scams related to COVID-19. Many are asking people for credit card information to provide medication following a positive test results. This is not a call that Manitobans would receive from public health officials. Manitobans are advised to not provide any financial data, hang up on the call and to report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at (toll-free) 1 888 495 8501.”
IMPORTANT UPDATES REGARDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Various telecoms in Canada are taking measures to support the heightened demand on internet and wireless networks from COVID-19 related situations (e.g. remote work/work from home arrangements).
Below, for your convenience, are links to information various major providers in Manitoba are taking in response to COVID-19.
Shaw Communications
BellMTS
Telus
Rogers
Virgin
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update from Ray Karasevich, President and CEO
March 14, 2020
Dear staff and students,
MITT is concerned about your health and safety and is taking measures to protect you while minimizing the disruption to student studies.
Yesterday, Manitoba’s Department of Education mandated a suspension of classes for all K-12 students from March 23 to April 10 inclusive, with classes expected to return on April 13. Unless you hear otherwise from MITT leadership, you can anticipate this will apply to all MITT classes whether they have secondary (high school) students or not.
Starting immediately, students are advised to please monitor their email and ensure MITT has an updated email address for you, as your instructor may provide assignments to be completed at home in an effort to ensure your continued progress toward program completion. Students’ academic success continues to be a priority through this difficult time.
Per the mandate from the Minister of Education, classes will continue the week of March 16 to March 20 and MITT will begin implementing social distancing protocol for all learning and common spaces during this period and also after classes resume in April.
Please observe the following:
COVID-19 symptoms? STAY HOME
If you have symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus we ask that you do not come to school or work at MITT. If you are ill, please notify the college (as per normal absence procedures) of your absence. Symptoms of COVID-19 may include runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (in severe cases). Students are required to work with their instructor to ensure plans are made to keep their coursework on track in the event of self-isolation or illness.
If you suspect you have COVID-19
Contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204 788 8200 or toll-free 1 888 315 9257 to determine if you should seek medical treatment.
In the case of suspected or confirmed COVID-19
Neither staff or students will require a physician’s note for an absence due to illness/self-isolation. We have suspended the current policy at this time and will operate on the assumption that all staff and students will observe this policy suspension in good faith.
In addition to the policy suspensions, we are implementing the following measures:
Self-isolation is recommended for the following groups for 14 days after departing the area, or since their last known contact or exposure:
o Close contacts (within 2 metres/6 feet) of individuals with flu-like symptoms who have traveled internationally within 14 days prior to becoming sick
o International travelers who develop cold or flu-like symptoms within 14 days of returning to Manitoba should contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free 1-888-315-9257 to determine if testing for COVID-19 should be considered. In cases where testing is not recommended, they should stay home (self-isolate) until they are well.
We encourage all staff and students to stay informed and seek information from trusted sources only. We will provide MITT-specific updates on COVID-19; I continue to recommend you look to the Province, the Government of Canada, or the World Health Organization for broader-scope updates and advice.
Staff and students, please follow best practices regarding hygiene, social distancing, self-isolating/self-monitoring as directed by Manitoba Health throughout your day; they have proven effective as counter-measures to the spread of COVID-19.
MITT has initiated increased cleaning measures and will continue to do so through the suspension of classes. Once in-person classes resume, staff and student can expect enhanced social distancing practices and continued increased cleaning protocols.'
We will continue to provide you as much information as possible and follow the recommendations we receive from Manitoba Health and the Departments of Education/Economic Development and Training and we will provide information about where you can direct your inquiries, by email.
While the information we are providing is related to your role with MITT, we encourage you to implement similar practices elsewhere.
F
inally, we would like to remind staff and students that supports are available through MITT during this time. Students are invited to talk to Student Services if they are feeling any increased anxiety and staff are advised to contact People Services or access EAP supports.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate what is a unique and challenging situation for us all.
Regards,
Ray Karasevich, President and CEO
March 14, 2020
Dear staff and students,
MITT is concerned about your health and safety and is taking measures to protect you while minimizing the disruption to student studies.
Yesterday, Manitoba’s Department of Education mandated a suspension of classes for all K-12 students from March 23 to April 10 inclusive, with classes expected to return on April 13. Unless you hear otherwise from MITT leadership, you can anticipate this will apply to all MITT classes whether they have secondary (high school) students or not.
Starting immediately, students are advised to please monitor their email and ensure MITT has an updated email address for you, as your instructor may provide assignments to be completed at home in an effort to ensure your continued progress toward program completion. Students’ academic success continues to be a priority through this difficult time.
Per the mandate from the Minister of Education, classes will continue the week of March 16 to March 20 and MITT will begin implementing social distancing protocol for all learning and common spaces during this period and also after classes resume in April.
Please observe the following:
COVID-19 symptoms? STAY HOME
If you have symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus we ask that you do not come to school or work at MITT. If you are ill, please notify the college (as per normal absence procedures) of your absence. Symptoms of COVID-19 may include runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (in severe cases). Students are required to work with their instructor to ensure plans are made to keep their coursework on track in the event of self-isolation or illness.
If you suspect you have COVID-19
Contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204 788 8200 or toll-free 1 888 315 9257 to determine if you should seek medical treatment.
In the case of suspected or confirmed COVID-19
Neither staff or students will require a physician’s note for an absence due to illness/self-isolation. We have suspended the current policy at this time and will operate on the assumption that all staff and students will observe this policy suspension in good faith.
In addition to the policy suspensions, we are implementing the following measures:
- All non-essential visitors to MITT campuses are asked to reschedule their visits for a later time.
- All campus events scheduled through until the end of April have been cancelled or postponed.
- Cleaning supplies will be made available, as available, for those wishing to wipe down their own desk, computers or devices.
- Staff who have increased duties in caretaking services will be provided with increased personal protection equipment due to increase exposure to disinfectants (e.g., masks and gloves).
- There will be no non-essential MITT-directed travel until the end of June, 2020. If you have travel planned, please speak with your instructor, manager, or coordinator immediately.
Self-isolation is recommended for the following groups for 14 days after departing the area, or since their last known contact or exposure:
- Travelers returning from the province of Hubei
- Travelers returning from Iran
- Travelers returning from Italy
- Contacts of a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19
- Laboratory workers exposed during work
- Self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19 is recommended for the following groups for 14 days after return to Manitoba, or since their last known contact or exposure:
o Close contacts (within 2 metres/6 feet) of individuals with flu-like symptoms who have traveled internationally within 14 days prior to becoming sick
o International travelers who develop cold or flu-like symptoms within 14 days of returning to Manitoba should contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free 1-888-315-9257 to determine if testing for COVID-19 should be considered. In cases where testing is not recommended, they should stay home (self-isolate) until they are well.
We encourage all staff and students to stay informed and seek information from trusted sources only. We will provide MITT-specific updates on COVID-19; I continue to recommend you look to the Province, the Government of Canada, or the World Health Organization for broader-scope updates and advice.
Staff and students, please follow best practices regarding hygiene, social distancing, self-isolating/self-monitoring as directed by Manitoba Health throughout your day; they have proven effective as counter-measures to the spread of COVID-19.
MITT has initiated increased cleaning measures and will continue to do so through the suspension of classes. Once in-person classes resume, staff and student can expect enhanced social distancing practices and continued increased cleaning protocols.'
We will continue to provide you as much information as possible and follow the recommendations we receive from Manitoba Health and the Departments of Education/Economic Development and Training and we will provide information about where you can direct your inquiries, by email.
While the information we are providing is related to your role with MITT, we encourage you to implement similar practices elsewhere.
F
inally, we would like to remind staff and students that supports are available through MITT during this time. Students are invited to talk to Student Services if they are feeling any increased anxiety and staff are advised to contact People Services or access EAP supports.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate what is a unique and challenging situation for us all.
Regards,
Ray Karasevich, President and CEO