COVID-19 Department of Education Services update

Last updated Friday, March 26, 2021

COVID-19 GN Update - March 26, 2021

Department of Education Services

Early Learning and Child Care

Arviat’s Aboriginal Head Start preschool programs are currently providing early childhood learning packages. The facility will open Monday, March 29.

On Wednesday, March 24, Arviat’s Shared Care Child Care facility opened.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.

COVID-19 GN Update - March 19, 2021

Department of Education Services

K-12 Schools

As of Monday, March 15, all Arviat Schools have implemented their Stage 3 action plan. All other Nunavut schools are at Stage 1.

Updates on community stages can be found on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sch....

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.

COVID-19 GN Update - January 25, 2021

Department of Education Services

K-12 Schools

As of Monday, January 25, 2021, schools in the communities listed below will move to the following stages:

Arviat – Stage 4
Inuglak School in Whale Cove will continue to be at Stage 3.
All other Nunavut schools are at Stage 2.

Updates on community stages can be found on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc….

Stage 4 – Arviat

As of Monday, January 25, 2021, all Arviat schools will be implementing their Stage 4 action plan.
All Arviat schools will remain closed until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer.
All instruction in Arviat will be conducted remotely.
Teachers and school staff will be contacting their students and families on a regular basis.

Early Learning and Child Care

The status of child care facilities across the territory is at the discretion of the Chief Public Health Officer.

All child care facilities in Arviat have been recommended to remain closed by the Chief Public Health Officer.

The Department of Education will continue its normal Operation and Maintenance (O&M) funding for all facilities whether they are open or closed.

According to the Chief Public Health Officer, child care facilities in all Nunavut communities, except Arviat, can remain open under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) employees are continuing to provide services including:

Processing funding applications;
Travel requests;
Issuing payments; and,
Responding to inquiries.

All inquiries to FANS should be emailed to @email. Response times may be slower than normal.

The FANS office in Arviat is currently closed to the public until further notice.

Nunavut Arctic College

Adjusted services:

Nunavut Arctic College facilities in Arviat have been moved to STAGE 4 – CODE RED effective immediately. This means that all Nunavut Arctic College facilities in Arviat are closed with access restricted to essential workers only.

For NAC students in Arviat:

Programs will be moving to remote learning, where applicable.
Please make sure you have access to your student email: @email (if you do not have a student email account, please contact @email or contact NAC IT Support by phone at 1-867-222-2083.)
Important updates will be shared from our Communications Division.
Students are asked to ensure their instructors have their contact information (email and/or phone number).
Students are encouraged to keep in (virtual) contact with their instructors and classmates for support.
Please stay tuned for updates on our social media (Facebook and Twitter) channels and website.

For NAC Instructors in Arviat:

Programs will be moving to remote learning, where applicable.
Instructors are asked to ensure they have their students’ contact information.
Instructors are asked to keep in regular contact with their Program Head.
Ensure you have the information you require from your office computer, including Y: drive.
Instructors are asked to be mindful of privacy matters while working from home.
If applicable, please have timesheets prepared and/or have the forms with you.

For NAC Staff in Arviat:

NAC facilities will be accessible to essential workers only.
Essential workers are asked to confirm their work schedule with their supervisors.
Masks must be worn by essential workers while in the facilities.
Staff are asked to confirm their supervisors have their contact information, and the contact information for those that report to them.
If you are working from home, please ensure you have the information required from your office computer, including Y: drive.
Staff are asked to be mindful of privacy matters while working from home.
If applicable, please have timesheets prepared and/or have the form with you.

IT Supports for Students and Staff

If you require NAC IT Support contact: @email or by phone at 1-867-222-2083.
To schedule training for Microsoft tools such as Teams, OneDrive, Outlook, Planner, Forms, etc, contact NAC IT Support at the training-specific number: 1-867-222-2428.

NAC understands there are many concerns about student safety and COVID-19. NAC also understands that some students may want to travel to or from Arviat. As outlined in the Government of Nunavut press release “travel to and from the community is restricted.”

COVID-19 GN Update - January 14, 2021

Department of Education Services

K-12 Schools

To date, the Department of Education has received 2,300 of the 3,000 internet-ready digital devices that were purchased with funding from the Government of Canada to support remote learning.

The department’s multi-phased plan for delivering digital devices to schools has begun.

In Phase 1, Grades 11 and 12 students and teachers are being prioritized.

Phase 1 delivery began in December 2020 and is continuing throughout January. A total of 1433 devices were delivered:
- 246 devices to Kitikmeot.
- 618 devices to Kivalliq.
- 569 devices to Qikiqtani (except for Iqaluit, which will be done separately).
In Phase 2, Grade 10 students and teachers will be prioritized.
- Phase 2 delivery will begin in early February and the department plans to deliver approximately 926 devices across the territory.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.

COVID-19 GN Update - January 12, 2021

Department of Education

K-12 Schools

Based on the direction of the Chief Public Health Officer, as of Tuesday, January 12, 2021, schools in the communities listed below can move to the following stages:

Arviat and Whale Cove – Stage 3
All other Nunavut schools – Stage 2.

Updates on community stages can be found on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc….

Stage 3 - Arviat and Whale Cove

Schools in Arviat and Whale Cove can open on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.

It is expected that there may be a transition period to prepare for the return to school for students and staff.
Elementary school students in Arviat and Whale Cove will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school three days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 3 action plan.
Middle and high school students in Arviat and Whale Cove will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school two days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 3 action plan.

Early Learning and Child Care

As of Tuesday, January 12, 2021, child care facilities in all Nunavut communities, including Arviat and Whale Cove, can open under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)

As of Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) office in Arviat will be open to employees under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

FANS employees are continuing to provide services including:

Processing funding applications.
Travel requests.
Issuing payments.
Responding to inquiries.

All inquiries to FANS should be emailed to @email. Response times may be slower than normal during this transition.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.

COVID-19 GN Update - January 5, 2021

Department of Education Services

K-12 Schools

As of Monday, January 4, 2021, schools in the communities listed below will move to the following stages:

Whale Cove – Stage 4.
Rankin Inlet – Stage 2.

Arviat schools continue to be at Stage 4. All other Nunavut schools are at Stage 2.

Updates on community stages can be found on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc….

Stage 4 – Whale Cove

As of Monday, January 4, 2021, Inuglak School in Whale Cove will be implementing its Stage 4 action plan.
Inuglak School in Whale Cove will remain closed until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer.
All instruction in Whale Cove will be conducted remotely.
Teachers and school staff will be contacting their students and families on a regular basis.

Stage 2 – Rankin Inlet

As of Monday, January 4, 2021, elementary schools in Rankin Inlet will be open full-time, five days per week.
As of Monday, January 4, 2021, middle and high schools in Rankin Inlet will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school 2-3 days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 2 action plan.

Early Learning and Child Care

The child care facilities in Whale Cove and in Arviat have been recommended to remain closed by the Chief Public Health Officer.
According to the Chief Public Health Officer, child care facilities in all Nunavut communities, except Whale Cove and Arviat, can open under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.

COVID-19 GN Update - December 14, 2020

Department of Education Services

Adjusted services:

Diploma Exams

Diploma exams for Nunavut students will be made optional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

To ensure the best possible choice is made for each student, the decision to opt-in should be made together with the student’s parents/guardians. All schools were sent the January 2021 opt-in form on Friday, December 11, 2020.

Students that would like to write their January 2021 diploma exam will need to complete the opt-in form and give it to their principal as soon as possible. Students that choose to write their exam and are not satisfied with their exam mark are not able to apply for an exemption after the exam date.

Students that do not wish to write their diploma exam will be granted an automatic exemption, with their course mark being made worth 100% of their final mark.

Students wishing to pursue post-secondary education are encouraged to review the entry requirements for the program they are applying to, as not writing the exam may have an impact on acceptance status.

COVID-19 GN Update - December 11, 2020

Department of Education Services

Device Distribution Update

Digital devices will be distributed for all Grade 11 and 12 students and their teachers.

All devices would remain in the school until the community moves into Stage 4.
School staff would be able to deliver devices to students immediately prior to any school closures.

The department will have enough devices to support all Grade 11 and 12 students and their teachers by the end of December.

As more devices are received and formatted, they will be gradually distributed to other grades to support remote learning.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.

COVID-19 GN Update - December 4, 2020

Department of Education Services

Ongoing services:

K-12 Schools

Arviat

To support remote learning in Arviat, the Department of Education is deploying Internet ready iPads for Grade 11 and 12 students and Grade 11 and 12 teachers. All iPads will have internet sticks to allow for online learning. These devices will be sent to Arviat on December 6, 2020.

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) employees are continuing to provide services including:

Processing funding applications;
Travel requests;
Issuing payments; and,
Responding to inquiries.

All inquiries to FANS should be emailed to @email. Response times may be slower than normal.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)

The FANS office building in Arviat is currently closed to the public until further notice.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.

COVID-19 GN Update - December 2, 2020

Department of Education Services

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

Stage 4 - Arviat

All schools in Arviat will continue implementing their Stage 4 action plans with all schools in Arviat remaining closed until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer. All instruction in Arviat will continue to be conducted remotely and teachers/school staff will be contacting their students and families on a regular basis.

Adjusted Services:

K-12 Schools

Beginning December 2, 2020, Nunavut schools will move to the following stages:

Stage 3 – Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove
Stage 2 – All other Nunavut schools

Stage 3 - Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove

As of December 2, 2020:

Elementary school students in Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school three days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 3 action plan.
Middle and high school students in Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school two days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 3 action plan.

Stage 2 - All Nunavut communities, except Arviat, Rankin Inlet, and Whale Cove

As of December 2, 2020:

Elementary schools in all Nunavut communities, except Arviat, Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, will be open full-time, five days per week.
Middle and high schools in all Nunavut communities, except Arviat, Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school 2-3 days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 2 action plan.

Updates on community stages will be posted on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sch....

Early Learning and Child Care

Because of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Arviat, child care facilities have been recommended to remain closed by the Chief Public Health Officer. Government of Nunavut funding to licensed child care facilities in Arviat will continue as normal.
Beginning December 2, 2020, all childcare facilities in Nunavut communities, except Arviat, can open under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

Edsby update

29 of the 45 schools’ student accounts are activated. The 16 remaining schools are either in process or are not completed.

COVID-19 GN Update - November 27, 2020

Department of Education Services

As announced by the federal government on November 25, the Government of Nunavut has secured further funding to support remote learning.

With the funding available of $1.18M, the Department of Education plans to purchase the following:

2,192 devices (Split between Chromebooks and Apple iPads)
2,192 mobile data sticks
350 rugged cases w/keyboard for iPads

Devices and internet sticks will be distributed strategically to students and school staff in affected communities. These devices are in addition to the 3,000 devices already purchased by the department.

COVID-19 GN Update - November 25, 2020

Department of Education Services

New developments in programs/ services:

Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) will be delivered to schools by next week to support ongoing health and safety. The delivery to Grise Fiord may be delayed due to airline logistics. This PPE includes:
- Face shields (with instructions in all languages);
- Disposable face masks; and
- Gloves.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.

COVID-19 GN Update - November 23, 2020

Department of Education Services

New developments in programs/ services:

Edsby online training platform update:

All staff training has been completed.
All staff accounts have been activated.
All students account invitations have been sent.
Student accounts are in the process of being activated.
Once a student’s account has been activated, then the parent account can be activated.

Only parents who have provided their school with an email address will have an Edsby account activated.

COVID-19 GN Update - November 18, 2020

Department of Education Services

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

Early Learning and Child Care

As of Wednesday, November 18, 2020, all Nunavut child care facilities will be closed.
Some child care facilities may voluntarily remain open to provide child care for the children of essential workers.

Department of Education Update - November 16, 2020

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

K-12 Schools

According to the Chief Public Health Officer, as of Wednesday, November 18, 2020, all schools will be moving to Stage 4: Confirmed Cases and Community Transmission of COVID-19, until further notice.
As of Wednesday, November 18, 2020, all Nunavut schools will be implementing Stage 4 action plans, and will support remote learning for all students.
Beginning Wednesday, November 18, all Nunavut schools are closed to students, staff, and the public until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer.
All student instruction will be conducted remotely.
Remote learning will be done according to the action plans implemented by school staff, and may take different forms based on the needs of students.
Teachers/school staff will be contacting their students and families as soon as possible.
Updates on community stages will be posted on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc…
School closures will not affect staff pay.
DEA staff should follow the direction of the CPHO as it relates to attending their workplace.
Funding to DEAs will not be affected, and DEAs are encouraged to continue to pay their employees as normal.

Early Learning and Child Care

According to the Chief Public Health Officer, as of Wednesday, November 18, 2020, all Nunavut childcare facilities should be closed.
Government of Nunavut funding to licensed childcare facilities will continue as normal.

Department of Education Update - November 13, 2020

Kivalliq Region

K-12 Schools

• According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, all Kivalliq region schools are now in Stage 4: Confirmed Cases and Community Transmission of COVID-19, until further notice.
• All schools in the Kivalliq region (Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet, Naujaat, and Whale Cove) will be implementing their Stage 4 action plans.
• All schools in the Kivalliq region are closed to students, staff, and the public until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer.
• All instruction in the Kivalliq region will be conducted remotely.
• Remote learning will be done by telephone and learning packages.
• Teachers/school staff will be contacting their students and families as soon as possible.
• Updates on community stages will be posted on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc…
• The school closures in the Kivalliq region will not affect staff pay.
• The department recommends that all Kivalliq region District Education Authority (DEA) staff not attend work, following the direction of the CPHO.
• Funding to the Kivalliq region DEAs will not be affected, and Kivalliq region DEAs are encouraged to continue to pay their employees as normal.

Early Learning and Child Care

• Because of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Arviat and Rankin Inlet, all Kivalliq region child care facilities have been recommended to close by the Chief Public Health Officer.
• Government of Nunavut funding to licensed child care facilities in the Kivalliq region will continue as normal.

Sanikiluaq

K-12 Schools

• According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, Sanikiluaq schools remain at Stage 4: Confirmed Cases or Community Transmission of COVID-19, until further notice.
• All schools in Sanikiluaq remain closed to students, staff, and the public until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer.
• Digital devices for remote learning arrived in Sanikiluaq on Tuesday, November 10. They were distributed to Paatsaali High School students.

Early Learning and Child Care

• Because of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sanikiluaq, all child care facilities have been recommended to remain closed by the Chief Public Health Officer.

Iqaluit

K-12 Schools

• According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, schools in Iqaluit (Iqaluit DEA, Apex DEA, and CSFN) will remain at in Stage 2: Escalated Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in the Region, until further notice.
• Elementary schools in Iqaluit (Iqaluit DEA, Apex DEA, and CSFN) will be open full-time, five days per week.
• Middle and high schools in Iqaluit will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school 2-3 days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 2 action plan.

Early Learning and Child Care

• According to the Chief Public Health Officer, all child care facilities in Iqaluit can remain open under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

Department of Education Update - November 12, 2020

Iqaluit and the Kivalliq region, other than Rankin Inlet (Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat, and Whale Cove)

K-12 Schools

According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, schools in Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat, Whale Cove, and Iqaluit (Iqaluit DEA, Apex DEA, and CSFN) are now in Stage 2: Escalated Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in the Region, until further notice.

Schools in the Kivalliq and Iqaluit (Iqaluit DEA, Apex DEA, and CSFN) will be implementing their Stage 2 action plans. Rankin Inlet schools will be implementing their Stage 4 action plan.

Elementary schools in Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat, Whale Cove, and Iqaluit (Iqaluit DEA, Apex DEA, and CSFN) will be open full-time, five days per week.

Middle and high schools in Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat, Whale Cove, and Iqaluit (Iqaluit DEA and CSFN) will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school 2-3 days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 2 action plan.

Teachers/school staff will be contacting their students and families as soon as possible.

Updates on community stages will be posted on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc….

DEAs whose schools are in Stage 2 may choose to close schools for 1 or more days for operational reasons, to prepare for Stage 2 learning. Families should monitor for announcements from their DEAs.

District Education Authority staff in Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat, Whale Cove, Iqaluit, and Apex should attend work for essential duties only and coordinate with school leaders regarding their presence in schools.

Early Learning and Child Care

According to the Chief Public Health Officer, all child care facilities in Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat, Whale Cove, and Iqaluit can remain open under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

Department of Education Update - November 11, 2020

K-12 Schools

There is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Rankin Inlet.
According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, Rankin Inlet is now in Stage 4: Confirmed positive case of COVID-19, until further notice.
Schools in Rankin Inlet will be implementing their Stage 4 action plans.
All schools in Rankin Inlet are closed to students, staff, and the public until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer.
All instruction in Rankin Inlet will be conducted remotely.
Remote learning will be done by telephone and learning packages.
Teachers/school staff will be contacting their students and families as soon as possible.
Updates on community stages will be posted on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc…
The school closure in Rankin Inlet will not affect staff pay.
The department recommends that the Rankin Inlet District Education Authority (DEA) staff not attend work.
Funding to the Rankin Inlet DEA will not be affected, and the Rankin Inlet DEA is encouraged to continue to pay their employees as normal.
DEA staff in all other Kivalliq communities (Stage 2 communities) should attend work for essential duties only and coordinate with school leaders regarding their presence in schools.

Early Learning and Child Care

• Because of the confirmed case of COVID-19 all child care facilities in Rankin Inlet have been recommended to close by the Chief Public Health Officer.
• Government of Nunavut funding to licensed child care facilities in Rankin Inlet will continue as normal.

Department of Education Update - November 9, 2020

K-12 Schools

According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, Sanikiluaq will continue to be in Stage 4: Community Transmission of COVID-19 until further notice.
No other communities or schools are affected at this time.
The department is preparing internet-ready laptops that will be deployed to students and staff at Paatsaali High School to support continued learning.
At this time, the students and staff of Nuiyak Elementary School will not be receiving digital devices, as the department is currently waiting for a shipment of internet sticks suitable for iPads. When the department has received and prepared them, they will be sent to Sanikiluaq. Until this time, remote learning for the elementary school will be done through phone contact and learning packages.
All Nunavut school staff, including those in Sanikiluaq, have completed their training on the Edsby online remote learning platform. The department is aiming to have Edsby accounts for Sanikiluaq staff set up by mid-week, and then teachers will invite their students to join Edsby.
Safety protocols for the distribution of digital devices and learning packages will also be provided to schools.
Sanikiluaq schools received additional cleaning supplies in October, and more PPE will be sent to Sanikiluaq to support the distribution of digital devices and learning packages.
To see how the Department of Education is keeping students safe visit: gov.nu.ca/education.

Department of Education Update - November 6, 2020

K-12 Schools

According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, Sanikiluaq is now in Stage 4: Community Transmission of COVID-19 until further notice.

All schools in Sanikiluaq are closed to students, staff, and the public until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer. All instruction in Sanikiluaq will be conducted remotely.

Teachers/school staff will be contacting their students and families as soon as possible.

To see how the Department of Education is keeping students safe visit: gov.nu.ca/education.

The school closure in Sanikiluaq will not affect staff pay.

The department recommends that the Sanikiluaq District Education Authority (DEA) staff not attend work.

Funding to the Sanikiluaq DEA will not be affected, and the Sanikiluaq DEA is encouraged to continue to pay their employees as normal.

Early Learning and Child Care

Because of the confirmed case of COVID-19, child care facilities in Sanikiluaq have been recommended to close by the Chief Public Health Officer.

Government of Nunavut funding to licensed child care facilities in Sanikiluaq will continue as normal.

Department of Education Update - October 26, 2020

With the funding provided by the Government of Canada’s Safe Restart Agreement, the Department of Education purchased 1600 digital devices for Nunavut schools in the event of school closures due to an active case of COVID-19 in a community. Of these 1600 purchased devices, 800 iPads have already been delivered to the department for formatting.1400 more devices will be ordered soon, thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Safe Return to Class fund.

The Department of Education is also ensuring that learning will continue even if schools are closed due to COVID-19, by testing the use of an online learning platform called Edsby. Edsby is a comprehensive digital learning system designed to support both in-class and remote learning. The easy-to-use interface, similar to social media sites, is intended for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, teachers, and parents. It can be accessed from almost any digital device such as a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone.

Finally, the Department of Education has secured additional cleaning and health and safety supplies so schools can continue to meet the enhanced cleaning standards and health and safety measures that came into effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Department of Education Update - October 19, 2020

School action plans

All schools are developing an action plan for each stage of COVID-19 risk. Action plans for stages 2, 3, and 4 will focus on supporting remote instruction and alternatives to in-class learning
- The Department of Education has provided guidelines and toolkits to support schools as they develop these action plans, which include:
  - A plan for a staff member to have daily contact with each student they have a relationship with.
  - How students will be supported if they do not have access to digital or computer technology at home, using alternatives such as telephone, radio, package delivery, etc.
  - Development of “ready to go” learning and well-being packages for each student, in case a community enters stages 2, 3, or 4.
  - Instruction and support for students on Individual Student Support Plans (ISSPs) will continue to be in place at all stages.
  - Details on how schools will operate during each stage, including fire drills, food programs, and administrator classroom visits.
- Most schools have completed their action plans for stage 1 and are working on completing their stage 2, 3, and 4 action plans. Regional School Operations staff are working closely with school leaders to review and approve draft plans.
- 21 out of 45 schools have completed and submitted final action plans for all stages.
- Some schools have developed additional wellness support tools, for example Qiqirtaq High School in Gjoa Haven has a student wellness survey as part of their action plan.

Learning Packages

Learning packages have been developed for each student as part of the stage 1 action plan. These packages are adapted to fit the varied needs of each student.
Learning packages will be continually updated with new and revised material as students progress through the curriculum. These will be used, as needed, when a community moves from stage 1 to stage 2, 3, or 4.

Department of Education Update - October 8, 2020

On October 7, 2020, Minister Joanasie and the Government of Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Ahmed Hussen, announced additional support for early learning, childcare and schools in Nunavut (the Canada-Nunavut Early Learning and Child Care Bilateral Agreement ($2.4 million) and the Safe Restart Agreement ($2.6 million).

The Canada-Nunavut Early Learning and Child Care Bilateral Agreement will support and maintain access to affordable early learning and child care programs through operations funding, create child care spaces in underserved communities, promote training and professional development opportunities for early childhood educators, and develop teaching resources and programming materials in all of Nunavut’s official languages.

The Safe Restart Agreement will provide enhanced custodial training and supplies for child care facilities and K-12 schools across Nunavut, and be used to purchase laptops, tablets, and internet capacity to support remote learning on an as-needed basis if a community is at a higher risk for COVID-19.

Department of Education Update - July 27, 2020

On Friday, July 24, the Department of Education release the 2020-21 Opening Plan for Nunavut Schools: Health and Safety.

Because there are no confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut, all schools will open, as scheduled, for the new school year, unless otherwise directed by Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO).

To see when your school opens and the Department of Education’s 2020-21 Opening Plan for Nunavut Schools, visit: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-schools

Planning for 2020-21 School Year

All schools will open, as scheduled, for the new school year, unless otherwise directed by CPHO.
4 stages have been developed to direct school operations depending on the impacts of COVID-19 in each community.
The CPHO will determine when a community moves from stage to stage.
For updates, check the Department of Education website and listen to GN press conferences.

Educators/School Staff

Educator recruitment is on track for the 2020-21 school year.
- There are currently 30 open educator positions across the territory.
Teachers and school staff are not defined as critical workers and are required to follow the same isolation process as other Nunavummiut returning to the territory.
The department worked with the Department of Health to secure reservations in the hubs and return travel dates and ensure out of territory school staff could return for the start of the school year.

Health and Safety Restrictions

Health and safety restrictions are different in schools than everywhere else for several reasons:
- It is critical to balance the risk of direct infection and transmission of COVID-19 in children with the harms of school closure on their physical and mental health.
- Current evidence suggests that children may be less susceptible to COVID-19 infection and may be less likely to transmit the virus to others.
- Schools are controlled environments, and any potential spread of the virus can be managed and tracked more easily.
The Department of Education, the CPHO, and DEAs/CSFN were involved in the development of the health and safety plans.
Cleaning will be enhanced in all schools, and custodians will receive guidelines and training.

Learning and Instruction

The focus in the first several months of school will be on learning recovery, assessment, and instruction.
School staff will receive guidelines and a toolkit for learning, instruction, and assessment, including information on remote instruction, and expectations for communicating with students.

Physical distancing and masks

Physical distancing requirements depend on the stage a community is in.
Adjusting the percentage of students in school will help support limited contact between students, as needed.
The department will work with schools and DEAs in Stages 2 and 3 regarding physical distancing requirements, including organizing students by cohort.
In general, the use of masks is not recommended for children.
- At the discretion of the CPHO, there may be some instances where students should wear masks.
- Some school staff may wear masks, if they are unable to physically distance when required by the CPHO.
School assemblies will be avoided so as not to mix classroom cohorts.

Department of Education Services, July 20, 2020

The Department of Education will be releasing the 2020-21 Opening Plan for Nunavut Schools at the end of July.

Keeping our staff and students safe is the Department of Education’s highest priority. By working closely with the Chief Public Health Officer, and providing clear guidelines around health and safety, the Department of Education can ensure that our students are learning in a safe, supportive environment.

Department of Education Services, July 13, 2020

Since March 17, when schools were closed to students, the Department of Education has been working diligently in preparation for the upcoming 2020-21 school year, specifically addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Information on plans and guidelines for opening schools will be made available to the public as they are finalized. These will include detailed guidelines on health and safety, as well as recovery learning and assessment, and student and staff wellbeing.

The Department of Education will be releasing the first document of its school opening plan later this month, after it has been reviewed by the Chief Public Health Officer and the department has heard from education stakeholders.

On Wednesday, July 15, David Joanasie, Minister of Education, and Dr. Michael Patterson, Chief Public Health Officer, will be teleconferencing with District Education Authorities, the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut, and the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities to discuss health and safety considerations related to the Department of Education’s school opening plan.

Department of Education Services, July 6, 2020

Department of Education Services, May 28, 2020

The Department of Education has developed guidelines for child-care facility reopening, including information on enhanced cleaning and hygiene, and physical distancing during drop-off and pick-up. For more information go to:

English - https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/child-care-facility-guidelines-re-opening-june-1-2020

Inuktitut - https://gov.nu.ca/iu/education/information/pairivvinnut-atuagait-matuikanniqpata-juuni-1-2020mit

Inuinnaqtun - https://gov.nu.ca/in/ilinniaqtuliqiyikkut/information/nutaqqiqiviit-igluqpaini-maligahat-angmaffaaqata-imaruqtirviani-1

French - https://gov.nu.ca/fr/education/information/directives-pour-la-reouverture-des-etablissements-de-garde-denfants-le-1er

Department of Education Services, May 25, 2020

The Department of Education has developed guidelines for child-care facility reopening, including information on enhanced cleaning and hygiene, and physical distancing during drop-off and pick-up.

The Department of Education will be connecting with all licensed child-care facilities in the coming days.

Department of Education Services, May 8, 2020

Child Care Facilities

From March 17 to April 21, 2020, the Government of Nunavut provided licenced child care facilities $885,000 to cover parental fees. This funding enabled facilities to continue paying staff while transitioning to financial assistance programs offered by the Government of Canada, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canadian Wage Subsidy Program.
The Canadian Wage Subsidy Program covers 75% of staff’s wages and has now been extended beyond June.
The Department of Education provides licenced child care facilities with
$4.2 million annually in operation and maintenance funding. This funding will continue while facilities are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Education continues to provide licencing for child care facilities, training for staff, and create and distribute educational resources.
The Government of Nunavut continues to work with the Government of Canada, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the regional Inuit organizations, and other stakeholders to support child care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Department of Education Services, April 30, 2020

Schools in Pond Inlet are closed to the community, including school staff, until further notice.

The physical distribution of student learning packages in Pond Inlet has been suspended until further notice.

All Department of Education staff, including school staff, are to work from home if possible.

These measures are to ensure the health and safety of Pond Inlet students, families, and staff.

The Department of Education will provide support to other Government of Nunavut departments as needed.

Department of Education Services, April 29, 2020

Student Learning Packages

Many students have already received an initial learning package from their teachers.
- Most packages include learn-at-home work and activities for one or two weeks at a time.
- Learning packages are focused on strengthening skills in literacy, numeracy, and health and wellbeing.
- There is a mix of paper and electronic-based work, depending on the student and their circumstance.
Students and families should expect to receive learning packages for the rest of the school year.
Learning packages are designed to reinforce the skills students have already learned and will not be expected to be assessed by teachers toward final grades.
The department has provided continuity of learning guidelines for all school staff, which outline a number of ways that school staff can communicate with students and families.
The department would like to thank all school staff for supporting their students and their families during these unprecedented times.

Early Learning and Child Care Support

Following direction from the Chief Public Health Officer, all child care facilities must remain closed to children until further notice.
During this closure, the Department of Education has and will continue to pay all regular O&M funding to licensed child care facilities.
- This should account for a significant portion of the monthly operating costs of a facility.
- Because the day care closures were sudden and unexpected, the department paid parental fees temporarily to ensure facilities could continue to pay their staff, and to allow time for facilities to apply for federal subsidies, such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The total cost of this funding provided was $885,000.
Department of Education staff are ready to support child-care facilities in their applications to these federal programs, and we have been communicating with all facilities around this.
The department continues to explore further options to support child care facilities, including possible use of federal funds.

Department of Education Services, April 17, 2020

Minister of Education update:

Ullukkut,

The well-being and success of Nunavut’s children and youth is the top priority of the Department of Education. In these uncertain times, we want to make sure students have the opportunity to thrive, and to pursue any future path they desire.

With students’ well-being in mind, I am announcing that as of today, all schools in Nunavut will be closed to students for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.

This closure is supported by the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO).

Because students have already missed over a month of class time, it is even more important that all school staff report to work on April 21, 2020.

As in other provinces and territories, Nunavut’s school staff are vital to ensuring our students do not fall behind in their education.

The Department of Education has developed guidelines to help school staff prepare learning packages to meet the specific needs of their students. Staff will work with students and their families to determine how best to support learning.

This means that for our students in Kindergarten to Grade 9, teachers will prioritize literacy and numeracy, while strengthening the skills and knowledge that have been taught so far this school year.

For high school students, teachers and administrators will evaluate their individual situations. Some students may already have completed the credits they need to graduate. Others may need to complete specific courses to be eligible to graduate. Teachers may provide opportunities for students to upgrade their marks or earn the credits they need by completing suggested assignments and projects.

Teachers will review their students’ outcomes to date, align them with skills that need to be strengthened, and take into consideration what is possible for them to accomplish at home. There will be a strong focus on supporting health and wellness, literacy, and numeracy for all students. This includes household projects and activities that allow families to learn together, such as reading together, journal writing, and projects that draw on the creativity of students.

The Department is also aware that many families are currently on the land and may not be able to receive student learning packages. On-the-land activities like hunting and fishing complement student learning, and the department encourages these activities.

Realizing Nunavut’s technology limitations, especially in some of our smaller communities, students’ continued learning will not be entirely online. This means that students’ learning packages will take many forms -- some will be paper-based, some will be activity-based, and some will be electronic. However, all of them will give students an opportunity to further their learning.

Wherever possible, teachers will be asked to check in with families weekly, to see how they are progressing and if they need any extra support or resources. The best way to communicate -- either by phone, text, GN email, or through other online portals -- will be determined with students and families.

Beyond creating student learning packages, staff also will be supporting students by assessing their work prior to the school closure to determine final grades, and preparing year-end report cards.

To Nunavut’s high school students and their families, a reminder that all departmental exams are cancelled for the school year. For those Grade 12 students on track to graduate, I want to assure you that principals and teachers will work with you to ensure you complete any necessary requirements. We are here to help you succeed and realize your goals.

Finally, school staff will also plan and prepare for the 2020-21 school year, particularly with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic in mind.

For school staff who have voluntarily returned to work and have already been preparing learning packages, many students and families recognize your hard work and expressed their appreciation. As a parent, and as Minister of Education, I want to express my sincere gratitude to you for your dedication and enthusiasm. Thank you for your efforts and commitment to Nunavut’s students.

We all want the best for our children and youth. The Department of Education appreciates the support and patience Nunavummiut and our education partners have shown during these unprecedented times. The uncertainty has not been easy, but we will make it through, together. Stay safe everyone.

Qujannamiik, quana, thank you, merci.

Department of Education Services

Students in Nunavut will not have class for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
School staff will continue to work to support learning at home until the end of the school year.
Students will be receiving learning packages from their schools to support learning at home.
School staff will connect with families over the coming weeks.
All high school diploma exams for this year are cancelled, and high school marks will be based on course work only.
All students will receive a year-end report card.

Department of Education Services, April 15, 2020

To ensure staff at licenced child care facilities continue to be paid, the Department of Education will fund parental fees for all licensed child care facilities up to April 21, 2020.

The Government of Nunavut has taken strict measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19, this is why child care facilities must remain closed until further notice.

Department of Education Services, April 8, 2020

Minister of Education update

Yesterday, the Department of Education sent a letter to all school staff about returning to work in their home communities on April 21, 2020. This is specific to STAFF ONLY, so that they can prepare and develop continuity of learning plans in the case the school closure is extended.

I want to clarify the numbers I provided yesterday – there are 1,185 staff who work in schools across the territory. Ninety-three (93) of these staff are currently out of the territory, making their way back to their home communities. This represents eight per cent (8%) of all school staff.

Teachers across the country are working hard to support learning at home for students so that they are not disadvantaged by the school closure. Our students deserve the same supports, and this is why we are asking teachers to work during this time.

Teachers returning to work will focus on supporting students in their education and their wellbeing by developing learning packages. This is particularly important for those students that do not have access to online resources and those who are on specialized learning plans.

School staff who may have travelled out of territory must undergo a mandatory 14-day isolation period in a GN-designated isolation hub in the south before returning to Nunavut. This is the same process that all Nunavut residents, FANS students, and medical travel patients returning to Nunavut have been following. This process was established under the orders of the Chief Public Health Officer.

Nunavut residents, including school staff, are responsible for their travel costs to return home to Nunavut. The GN is covering the cost of the isolation hubs for all Nunavut residents, including school staff.

All GN staff, including teachers, are expected to work from within the territory. We will address any requests from staff who currently are out-of-territory to work remotely on a case-by-case basis.

The Department of Education has been in continuous contact with the Nunavut Teachers’ Association (NTA) and the Coalition of Nunavut DEAs.

They both support the decision to bring teachers back to work to ensure that students can continue to learn and are supported during school closures.

Schools will only be reopened to students once the Chief Public Health Officer determines it is safe to do so. However, we need our staff back at work by April 21 to prepare for our students’ success and progress, whatever the next step may be.

Department of Education Services, April 7, 2020

As of April 7, teachers currently in-territory can go back to school on a voluntary basis, in order to start developing learning packages for students. Guidelines on the delivery of those packages to students are being finalised by the Department of Education.

All school staff are expected to return to work in their home communities on April 21, 2020. Teachers that are currently out of territory must undergo a 14-day isolation period in a designated isolation hub before returning to Nunavut. If teachers cannot begin their 14-day isolation period in time for their return on April 21, they must contact their principal and provide information on travel plans and correspondence with the isolation hubs to support any expected delays.

On April 21, a decision will be made according to the recommendation of the Chief Public Health Officer.

If school closures persist:

School staff will be required to resume operations and will be asked to develop continuity of learning plans for all students.
Teachers will be provided with clear guidance on how assessments, final report cards, and grade progression will be achieved.

If schools re-open:

School operations will resume as normal.

In both cases, departmental exams for high school students have been cancelled until the end of June.

Department of Education Services, April 3, 2020

On Tuesday, April 7, school staff will be able to access schools on a voluntary basis should they wish to prepare learning packages for students.

The department has a working group developing guidelines for teachers identifying grade-specific areas of focus for learning packages. Packages may look different for each student.

School access is for operational purposes only and not for recreation or other non-education-related activities.

The department has also provided all schools with health and safety protocols related to COVID-19, including respiratory etiquette, hand washing, and physical distancing.

Department of Education Services, March 31, 2020

Minister of Education update:

Since March 17, Nunavut schools have been closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a result, parents and caregivers have been asking for educational resources to help their children continue to learn.

Today I am announcing that the Department of Education has developed a learn-at-home website, Angirrami Ilinniarniq (angirrami.com). This website offers free access to some of the same educational resources used in our schools.

These include downloadable books and e-books for pre-school ages and up; educational audiobooks and animated videos; tips and activities for learning; and resources for managing stress and mental health.

There will also be links to download the department’s Inuktut language learning apps:

Uqausiit Pinnguarutiit has fun activities that support Inuit language shape and sound recognition, and vocabulary development.
Titirariuqsauti introduces Inuit language symbol sounds and printing paths.
Qimirrunaut is the department’s new Inuktut e-book library app.

These apps are available for Android and iOS devices and can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple App stores.

Angirrami Ilinniarniq provides links to other online educational resources on subjects such as science, math, history, and social studies.

I want to also note that although the website launches today, new resources will be regularly added. The priority is to get our Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun resources online as quickly as possible. English and French resources will follow soon after.

All the resources found on this site were created by the Department of Education and its partners, including the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Representative for Children and Youth’s Office, as well as the Departments of Family Services, Health, Environment, and Economic Development and Transportation.

I want to thank all the students, parents, and caregivers for their patience. I know for many of you it has not been easy with schools and child care facilities closed. However, we must all do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

I assure you that my department has been working hard to get this website ready as quickly as possible.

I encourage Nunavummiut to explore all the resources this website has to offer. Make learning a part of your daily routine!

Qujannamiik, quana, thank you, merci.

Department of Education Services, March 31, 2020

Today, the Department of Education Is launching a learn-at-home website, Angirrami Ilinniarniq (angirrami.com). This learn-at-home website developed by the Department of Education provides free access to help children and youth continue learning in their language during the school closure.

Upon recommendation from the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), schools and daycare facility closures for students and children will be extended until end of day April 20. At that point and time, the CPHO will reassess and provide direction.

Department of Education Services, March 25, 2020

Ongoing services:

Bus service contracts will continue to be paid during the three-week school closure.

Department of Education Services, March 24, 2020

The Department of Education is supporting the Department of Family Services in coordinating the return of out of territory FANS students and their families to Nunavut.
The Department of Education is providing funds to licensed child care facilities to cover parental fees from March 17-April 7, 2020.
All licensed child care facilities in Nunavut that charge parental fees will qualify for the grant.
Funding will be processed and sent to licensed child care facilities by Friday, March 27, 2020.
During this time, parents will not be required to pay parental fees.

Department of Education Services, March 23, 2020

The Department of Education is providing funds to licensed child care facilities to cover parental fees from March 17-April 7, 2020.
All licensed child care facilities in Nunavut that charge parental fees will qualify for the grant.
Funding will be processed and sent to licensed child care facilities by Friday, March 27, 2020.
During this time, parents will not be required to pay parental fees.
If closures continue after April 7, the department will re-evaluate and assist licensed child care facilities with making decisions on how to move forward.

Department of Education Services update, March 20, 2020

Adjusted services:

To reinforce social distancing and reduce the potential transmission of COVID-19, the Department of Education is limiting in-office work to essential employees only.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

All schools and child care facilities in Nunavut are closed for a three-week period, starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Department of Education Services update - March 19, 2020

Education and several GN departments are working closely together to reduce the impact school closures have on food programs.

The Department of Education will be providing funds to all licensed child care facilities. This funding will be equal to the parental fees licenced child care facilities would be normally receiving during this three-week closure.

This will allow licenced child care facilities to not charge parental fees for this period but still pay their staff as normal.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

All schools and child care facilities in Nunavut are closed for a three-week period, starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

COVID-19 Department of Education Services update

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