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
Dear Parents and Guardians of International School of Riga,
Hello and good afternoon.
As you have probably already read, Latvian governmental authorities are mandating that Gr 5 and 6 students begin studying virtually as of Monday, December 7th. ISR will adhere to the mandate and do our part to help the country in slowing the COVID-19 transmission rate. Grade 7-12 students will remain to study remotely.
This is not the news any one of us wanted to hear today, but it is where we find ourselves at the moment. The pandemic situation is real, and the responses seem to be fluid, not only in Riga and Latvia, but around Europe and the rest of the World.
Vaccines cannot come soon enough. It will be a wonderful day when we can finally put this virus and all that has come with it behind us. Until that time, we will do our part to help stem the tide and keep the community as safe as possible.
Our Grades 5 and 6 will shift to a virtual teaching and learning format beginning Monday, December 7th.
Knowing that this situation might occur, Grades 5 and 6 have been preparing for it for some time now. You will be contacted by the Division Principals who will offer specific details about how the online learning for Grades 5 and 6 will take place.
We are hoping that face-to-face learning is re-instituted for all grades as soon as the COVID-19 situation improves, but at this time, we simply do not have that information to pass on to you.
For Early Years to Grade 4, the face-to-face format will not change. They will carry on as they have been at Kalnciema 118. The only change at the Primary is that beginning January 4th, students from Grade 1 to Grade 4 must wear masks while at school.
Please reach out to your ISR Division Principal(s), who will answer your individual questions and provide support to you as needed.
Sincerely,
Shane Kells
Director
ISR COVID-19 Response Procedures
Official Latvian Government instructions
Latest Official Latvian Government’s Instructions:
In Latvian: https://www.vestnesis.lv/op/2020/244B.1
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.
