International School of Riga and COVID 19
The Latvian Ministry of Education guidelines and recommendations for educational institutions with respect to COVID 19 came out July 28th. In the document, the Ministry laid out the necessary guidelines for schools to follow in order to safely open this August. This information was widely anticipated and has allowed ISR to plan effectively for 2020/21 with safety and student well-being foremost in mind. International School of Riga is monitoring the COVID 19 situation at the regional and national level and is aware that there is trepidation in Europe at the moment with respect to a potential second wave.
ISR will be ready with a three-tiered approach to schooling and will have in place a Plan A (face-to-face), a Plan B (blended/hybrid) or a Plan C (virtual or online) teaching and learning model.
Based upon the Ministry’s recent announcement, Plan A will be implemented and ISR will open 2020/21 with a face-to-face teaching and learning model.
As we move closer to opening day on August 31st, ISR’s specific requirements will be related to the school community. Vigilant monitoring of several key conditions or indicators within the community will occur even after August 31st.
ISR will follow all guidelines for physical distancing and for maintaining safe and secure campuses to the best of its abilities. How the school plans proceed will rely heavily on how we come together as a school community in facing the realities and hardships of COVID 19. It will also rely on Latvia maintaining relatively low numbers of COVID 19 transmissions.
Please inform the school as early as possible when your child will be absent and the reason for the absence. Furthermore, if your child shows any signs of illness or has a temperature of 37.5c or above please keep your child at home and contact your family doctor as soon as possible.
Please note that your child will need a doctor’s note confirming they are allowed to attend school prior to returning.
ISR Operating Plans (A, B and C)
| CONDITIONS IN GREATER COMMUNITY | INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF RIGA | AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES | |
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| PLAN A FACE-TO-FACE |
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| PLAN B BLENDED / HYBRID |
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| PLAN C VIRTUAL / ONLINE |
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Message from the director
Hello and good afternoon from International School of Riga.
I trust the week has gone well.
Like you, we at ISR have been anxiously awaiting an official governmental decision with regard to potential new restrictions or the lessening of current restrictions for schools due to COVID-19.
There has now been an official mandate from the government. As a result, on Monday, ISR will continue following the same format as these past weeks with respect to face-to-face teaching. There was some discussion of allowing Grades 1 and 2 back into schools, but at the end of the day, that was not approved by the Ministry.
On February 8th, we will continue to have on campus our Early Years students and remain virtual for all other Grades.
There is one additional accommodation that has been authorised at this time.
The Ministry is allowing students with particular circumstances to access 1:1 consultations in controlled environments on campuses starting next week. These changes are being put into place to allow schools more flexibility in meeting the needs of students.
ISR will be contacting students and families who, for reasons particular to their needs, have been selected by school administration to come onto campus starting Monday, in scheduled intervals and following specific safety protocols, to engage in 1:1 consultations.
You will be receiving more information from Principals with regard to sectional-specific information and details pertaining to next week to follow up this whole-school e-mail.
Your continued patience and support is a never-ending source of inspiration for me and I truly mean that.
If you have any questions or concerns or wish further clarification on any of the above, or other matters ISR related, do let me know.
We all wish you all a very peaceful and safe weekend ahead.
Have a good evening.
Shane
ISR COVID-19 Response Procedures
Official Latvian Government instructions
Latest Official Latvian Government’s Instructions:
In our common effort trying to keep the ISR community safe, please consider using the COVID-19 tracing app “Apturi COVID”. To install it on your devices please follow this link: https://www.apturicovid.lv/#en
Helpful links
World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
WHO advice for the public https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
How to talk to your child about coronavirus https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/how-talk-your-child-about-coronavirus-covid-19
WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS FROM GETTING THE NEW CORONAVIRUS?
How to properly wear a medical face mask?
How to properly wear a cloth face mask?
PROPER HANDWASHING TECHNIQUE
FAQ’s
What is Coronavirus and what are the symptoms?
Please see the WHO website for specific information https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Where can I find reliable information about the spread of the virus?
It is always a good idea to carefully evaluate the sources of information that you follow. Please find below helpful and reliable links for the most recent information on the COVID-19
- The World Health Organization page on the Coronavirus https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- Live update on declared cases https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
- Latest updates from the Latvian government https://spkc.gov.lv/lv/aktualitates/get/nid/757
What does ISR do if a student shows signs of illness at school?
Temperatures are taken for all students (and staff members) daily. If a student shows a temperature of 37.5C or above, he/she will be isolated and parents will be called immediately to collect their child. Parents will contact their family doctor who will decide about the next steps to be taken. The parents will inform the school about further developments. The student will be allowed to come back to school with a doctor’s note confirming that he/she is healthy.
What are the best ways to protect our children and family?
Follow the WHO and the Latvian Authorities guidelines on hygiene and best practices. Wash your hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds. Carry hand sanitizers when going outside and avoid touching your face. Take your child’s temperature every morning before coming to school and register it in the ISR Student Temperature Check Journal. Please keep your child home if his/her temperature is 37.5c or above and/or if your child shows any sign of respiratory infection like fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty to breathe. In this case contact your family doctor immediately. Your child will be allowed to come back to school with a doctor’s note confirming that he/she is healthy.
What countries are now considered restricted by the Latvian government?
Please follow this link in order to reach the most up to date list of restricted countries:
https://www.spkc.gov.lv/lv/valstu-saslimstibas-raditaji-ar-covid-19-0
How will I be contacted in case of a change in the ISR Operating Plan?
ISR is following the recommendations of the Latvian Authorities and at this point is implementing Plan A (Face-to-face learning). However, the school administration cannot exclude the possibility of the school having to move to Plan B (blended learning) or Plan C (distance learning).
In the event of ISR having to move to another operating plan, the ISR community will be notified in the following ways:
by text messages using the Engage Management System
by email using the Engage Management System
Information will be posted on the school website (http://www.isriga.lv)
Information will be posted on the ISR Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/
isriga), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ loveisriga/) pages.
Is there a contingency distance learning plan in place?
Our commitment is to provide an alternative means of education in the form of Distance Learning if ISR had to move to learning plans B or C. The contingency plan is currently being developed by the school’s administration and faculty.
