Today, Dr. Morrison has announced two new positive COVID-19 cases, one that affects Three Oaks Senior High. Three buses are also affected: bus numbers 584, 762 and 568. So far, there is no indication that other schools have been impacted. Out of an abundance of caution, Three Oaks Senior High will be closed tomorrow to allow time for contact tracing, testing and enhanced cleaning.

Please note that Dr. Morrison has indicated that both cases are linked to the recent cluster of cases in Prince County. This is not considered an outbreak at Three Oaks Senior High.

Out of an abundance of caution, close contacts, including students, teachers and staff and persons on the buses which the individual travelled are being contacted and advised to isolate and be tested for COVID-19 at one of the Health PEI clinics tomorrow. Contact tracing is underway and all individuals who need to be tested will be contacted.

All close contacts will be contacted and advised of testing and isolation requirements. While staff and students who are not contacted do not require testing, anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should visit a drop-in testing clinic. Fast, accessible testing is available in locations across PEI. You can find a list of locations and times at https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/covid-19-testing-in-pei.

Public health measures are in place to prevent the impact of COVID-19. We can protect ourselves and our community by getting vaccinated if eligible, screening for symptoms, good hand hygiene, staying home when ill, physical distancing wherever possible and following masking guidelines.

Learning to live with COVID-19 can cause feelings of uncertainty, stress and anxiety. It is important for all of us to be mindful of how we are feeling. For staff who have concerns about returning to school, please contact your principal. Parents and students who have concerns with returning to school should call the PSB at 1-800-280-7965 (toll-free) or 902-368-6990.

Read the Government of PEI’s full news release at https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/two-new-cases-of-covid-19-potential-exposure-to-positive-case-at-three-oaks-senior-high-school.

As announced by Dr. Morrison today, one student at Westwood Primary School and one student at Eliot River Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19. A bus is also affected: bus number 81. So far, there is no indication that other schools have been impacted. To allow for contact tracing, testing and deep cleaning of the schools,​​ both Westwood Primary School and Eliot River Elementary School will be closed tomorrow.

Please note that Dr. Morrison has indicated that the exposure risk related to these cases is low and this is not considered an outbreak.

All close contacts of the student, including staff and classmates, will be contacted directly by public health to arrange for testing and will be instructed to self-isolate. Other students and staff in the school who are not close contacts are being asked to monitor for symptoms and, if symptoms develop, get tested.

Individuals on the #81 bus who are close contacts will be contacted directly by public health to arrange for testing and be instructed to self-isolate. Students who travelled on this bus who are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 are being asked to get tested as soon as possible.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should visit a drop-in testing clinic or if a child is experiencing one mild symptom of COVID-19, an at-home screening test can be used. At-home screening test kits will be available for pick up tomorrow at Westwood Primary and Eliot River Elementary, as well as at Access PEI locations across the province for parents and guardians of children in K-6.

Public health measures are in place to prevent the impact of COVID-19. We can protect ourselves and our community by getting vaccinated if eligible, screening for symptoms, good hand hygiene, staying home when ill, physical distancing wherever possible and following masking guidelines.

Learning to live with COVID-19 can cause feelings of uncertainty, stress and anxiety. It is important for all of us to be mindful of how we are feeling. Parents and students who may have concerns with returning to school should call the PSB at 1-800-280-7965 (toll-free) or 902-368-6990.

Yesterday, many students and families in our community were impacted by an accident involving a PSB school bus. First and foremost, our thoughts are with those affected.

The response to the incident saw an exceptional level of cooperation between parents, first responders, hospital staff and PSB staff, including staff at Bluefield High School and East Wiltshire Intermediate who did not hesitate to support the students and staff from Westwood Primary and Eliot River Elementary. Thank you to everyone for your professionalism and support.

On Monday, Student Services staff will be present in the affected schools to provide support to any student who needs it. We would also like to reshare a resource for parents to help them support their child at this time: https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-after-a-traumatic-event/.

Norbert Carpenter
Director, Public Schools Branch

On the afternoon of October 29, 2021, there was an accident involving PSB Bus #49, which serves students in the Bluefield Family of Schools. All students onboard the bus were from either Westwood Primary or Eliot River Elementary.

EMS, police and firefighters were onsite and assessed students. One student has been transported to hospital with minor injuries. All other students on Bus #49 were transported to East Wiltshire Intermediate School for pick up by parents/guardians.

Buses serving the Bluefield Family of Schools are expected to be running late.

Student Services will be onsite at the school next week to talk through any concerns that students may have.

*UPDATE: Schools will be reaching out to the parents of any child involved in today’s accident. The following resource also provides information on how you can best support your child at this time: https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-after-a-traumatic-event/.

Parents are asked to register their children for Kindergarten prior to or during the week of November 15-19, 2021.

Download the PSB Kindergarten Registration Form.

• Children must be 5 years old by December 31, 2022, in order to be eligible for Kindergarten.
• Parents are asked to register their child at their local elementary school during school hours. If you are unsure of your school zone, please call the Stratford Office at (902) 368-6990 or Summerside Office at (902) 888-8400 or toll-free at 1-800-280-7965.
• A registration form will be completed at the time of registration.
• Parents are reminded to bring a piece of Government issued ID verifying proof of child’s age, such as a birth Certificate, PEI health card or passport.
• Verification of home address must also be provided, such as a current utility bill.
• PSB policy requires that a visitor 12 and older must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination when entering the school for more than 15 min. A virtual meeting or phone call can be offered to those who are not fully vaccinated.
• Welcome to Kindergarten sessions for incoming students and their parents will be held at schools in the spring of 2022.

School contact information can be found at https://edu.princeedwardisland.ca/psb/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/PSB_School_Contact_Info_2021-22.pdf.

For the Early French Immersion Program registration, please refer to the following:

Bluefield Family

• Central Queens, Englewood, Gulf Shore, and Westwood: Contact Westwood Primary

Charlottetown Family

• LM Montgomery, Sherwood, and the Brackley & Brackley Beach portions of Parkdale: Contact Sherwood Elementary
• Glen Stewart and Donagh: Contact Glen Stewart Primary
• Spring Park and West Royalty: Contact Spring Park Elementary
• Prince Street, St. Jean, West Kent, and the downtown portion of Parkdale: Contact West Kent Elementary

Kensington Family

• Queen Elizabeth: Contact Parkside Elementary.

Kinkora Family

• Amherst Cove and Somerset: Contact Parkside Elementary. Student transportation to and from school is the responsibility of the parent.

Montague Family

• Belfast, Cardigan, Georgetown, Montague Consolidated, Southern Kings, and Vernon River: Contact Montague Consolidated.

Morell Family

• Morell Consolidated and Mount Stewart may register at Westwood Primary, Sherwood Elementary, Glen Stewart Primary, Spring Park Elementary, West Kent Elementary or Montague Consolidated. A parent can register their student in Early French Immersion at a school of their choice, subject to PSB approval. Student transportation to and from school is the responsibility of the parent.

Souris Family

• Souris Regional may register at Westwood Primary, Sherwood Elementary, Glen Stewart Primary, Spring Park Elementary, West Kent Elementary, or Montague Consolidated. A parent can register their student in Early French Immersion at a school of their choice, subject to PSB approval. Student transportation to and from school is the responsibility of the parent.

Three Oaks Family

• Athena and Elm Street: Contact Elm Street Elementary
• Greenfield: Contact Greenfield Elementary
• Miscouche and Parkside: Contact Parkside Elementary

Westisle Family

• Students in the Bloomfield, O’Leary, Ellerslie, Rosebank, Brooklyn and Cascumpec communities of Alberton area: Contact Bloomfield Elementary
• Students in the St. Louis area and all areas of Alberton except for Brooklyn and Rosebank and Cascumpec: Contact St. Louis Elementary
• Tignish: Contact Tignish Elementary

Download a PDF version of the above Kindergarten Registration information.

Download a Word version of the above Kindergarten Registration information.