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A mandatory two-week remote learning period for students Grades 7 to 12 starting Jan. 4 will be a bit of an adjustment, according to Mountain View School Division (MVSD) superintendent Dan Ward.
“There will certainly be an adjustment period because right now most of our students in Grade 7 & 8 classes across the Division and attending in-person."
Ward tells CKDM the DRCSS in Dauphin will have an easier transition to going fully remote, as they’ve already been delivering a blended learning approach where students attend school only two days a week.
He says the other five smaller high schools in the MVSD — which have had students in-class full time — will require much more of an adjustment.
The mandatory two-week remote learning period for students Grade 7 to Grade 12 beginning Jan. 4, following the regularly scheduled holiday break.
Ward says in-class learning will continue for Grade 7 to 12 students with special needs.
Remote learning remains an option for all students, and the MVSD Superintendent & CEO says the "more than 300 children in kindergarten to Grade 6 who are receiving remote learning can certainly continue to do so.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba’s premier became emotional at his Thursday press conference as he delivered a strong message asking Manitobans not to gather over the holidays.
“I’m the guy who’s stealing Christmas to keep you safe.”
Premier Brian Pallister says he’s doing what he believes is right; advising Manitobans to change their holiday plans.
He lamented the lost opportunity to share the holiday with friends and family and make memories — but added that “we’ll have lots to celebrate next year” if we “do the right thing.”
“Stay safe. Protect each other. Love each other. Care for each other. There are so many ways to show that — but don’t get together this Christmas,” he said.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Public health officials have identified 368 new cases of COVID-19 today and 12 more deaths.
The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.
Manitoba has a total of 17,750 cases province-wide.
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
- 21 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region
- 48 cases in the Northern health region
- 31 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
- 57 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region and
- 211 cases in the Winnipeg health region
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (6), Riding Mountain (20), Swan River (10), Porcupine Mountain (13), Duck Mountain (27), Asessippi (10), Little Saskatchewan (12), Whitemud (22), Agassiz Mountain (2). Brandon has 147 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 59 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 82.
Health officials have announced that the outbreaks declared at The Pas Homeless Shelter – Oscar's Place in The Pas has now been declared over.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.1 percent provincially and 14.9 percent in Winnipeg.
Of Manitoba’s cases, 9,129 are considered active and 8,268 people have recovered from the virus. There are 357 people in hospital due to COVID-19 with 52 in intensive care.
The number of deaths is 353, as one previously announced death has been removed due to a data error.
Public health officials advise 12 additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today including:
- a male in his 30s from the Interlake–Eastern health region
- a male in his 50s from the Northern health region
- a male in his 50s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at the Menno Home
- a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Golden Links Lodge
- a female in her 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
- a female in her 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Fernwood Place
- a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region
- a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region
- a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Maples Long Term Care Home
- a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Golden Links Lodge
- a male in his 90s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region and
- a female in her 90s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at the Menno Home
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Premier Brian Pallister announced Thursday another 20 rapid testing units will be deployed throughout the province, with some making their way to the Parkland area.
Dauphin will get two of the Abbot ID NOW rapid test kits; Russell will get one, and so will Neepawa, Virden, and Ashern.
Manitoba’s premier says these rapid testing kits will offer health-care providers a valuable early screening tool to identify potential outbreaks as quickly as possible — but they can’t replace traditional COVID-19 testing in all circumstances because they can only be used if a person has symptoms.
Pallister Talks Manitoba's Vaccine Preparedness
Pallister also announced the province is making “significant progress” getting ready to launch a coordinated vaccine campaign.
He says the province has procured the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to administer vaccine doses and added that 20 portable ultra-cold freezers have been purchased to store COVID-19 vaccines that have specialized storage requirements.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Fusion Credit Union has once again been named a Manitoba Top Employer by Canada's Top 100 Employers magazine.
CEO Darwin Johns says hitting this collective goal means a lot.
“This recognition is an ongoing reminder that we’re doing good things. We’re really prioritizing the needs of our employees and also creating a workplace culture we can definitely be proud of.”
Going forward, he says that they will continue their commitment to their employees.
Fusion recently installed massage chairs or nap pods in every branch as a part of their “Innovation Den” project.
“We do aim to continue our focus on employee wellness. It really is more of a journey that we started earlier this year by implementing dedicated wellness spaces in our branches.”
This is the second year in a row that Fusion has been named a Top Employer.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Winnipegosis RCMP are investigating an armed robbery at the gas bar on the Pine Creek First Nation.
Around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, police responded to reports that a man entered the gas bar carrying a rifle and a bag and demanded cash and cigarettes.
The suspect later fled the area on foot and is described as wearing a black jacket, black balaclava and grey/blue work gloves.
A dark coloured sedan was observed in the area at the time of the robbery.
It’s the 2nd gun-point robbery at this location in the past three weeks.
RCMP are asking anyone who may have information related to this incident or the dark coloured sedan to contact the Winnipegosis RCMP at 204-656-7000, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at Manitoba Crime Stoppers.
Winnipegosis RCMP continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Gilbert Plains Elementary School put on a special display of support last week for residents and staff in the nearby care home dealing with a COVID outbreak.
Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 made “Get Well Cards” and other artwork to cheer up residents and staff at the Gilbert Plains Care Home.
On Thursday, Nov. 26th, school staff set up the cards and artwork outside of the care home so they could be visible from the windows.
Staff at Gilbert Plains Elementary School set up the Get Well Cards and artwork outside of the Gilbert Plains Care Home for residents and staff to see.
Gilbert Plains Elementary Principal Chris Barkman tells CKDM the students really wanted to reach out to their care home neighbours right across the street and show support.
Barkman was later told by care home staff that the Get Well Cards were the “highlight of the week” for some residents.
“We actually went and some staff members held up the artwork the students made for the residents. That was kind of neat to see also,” he said.
Natalie Talpash is an educational assistant at the school and tells CKDM they felt it was important to do something in support of the care home across the street while they deal with a very challenging situation.
“This was one way of showing that ‘hey, we haven’t forgotten you guys’, and a thank-you to all the workers that are over there and the people that are going through some difficult times in that building.”
Talpash organized the initiative alongside Angela Kotyk, who works in the school assisting a student and is also a nurse.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
UPDATE | 16-year-old Jacy Victoria Leblanc from the RM of Roblin has been safely located.
RCMP are thanking the public for their assistance.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The friendly smack talk has begun, as the Dauphin RCMP detachment and Dauphin Fire Department (DFD) compete to see who can collect more food donations in support of the Dauphin and District Community Food Bank (DDCFB).
“We want to win, but it’s a great way to have a friendly competition and give back to the community that we love,” said Dauphin RCMP Cst. Schirmacher.
Cram The Cruiser
The Dauphin RCMP detachment is asking the community to help “Cram the Cruiser” and with non-perishable food items between Dec. 3rd to the 6th.
A decorated police truck is currently in front of the detachment, where food items can easily be loaded in the back of the truck.
For those who can’t make it down to the detachment, the RCMP will arrange to come to you on Saturday December 5th to pick up food donations between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Call 204-622-5020 to arrange a pickup with the Dauphin RCMP on Saturday.
“I just want Cam Abrey to know that we’re going to do everything we can to try and win the competition, so he better bring his A-game,” said Cst. Carleigh Schirmacher.
Pack the Pumper
Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey jokingly fired back saying his competitors "know we’re always on our A-game.”
You can help the DFD win the competition by helping “Pack the Pumper” and drop off non-perishable food items at the Fire Hall.
Abrey says donations can be dropped off anytime between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week.
He asks that you just ring the doorbell at the public entrance for a contactless drop-off.
Like the RCMP, the fire department will also come to you to collect food donations on Saturday, Dec. 5th.
Just call the DFD at 204-622-3100 to arrange a pickup on Saturday between Noon and 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6th is the last day for food donations.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The City of Dauphin tells us that recycling pick-up in the Day 2 areas have been delayed.
The city advises if your bin was not picked up today, to leave it out so OSS can pick it up tomorrow (Thursday, December 3rd.)
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
So is the provincial government extending the holiday break for Manitoba students after all?
Sort of.
Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced Wednesday that a mandatory two-week remote learning period will be in effect for Grade 7 to Grade 12 students in Manitoba, following the holiday break.
The same two-week remote learning period will be available as an option for kindergarten to Grade 6 students, but not compulsory.
Goertzen says the move will reduce the risk posed by the change in students’ close contacts during the winter break.
He also explains 2-week remote learning period is only mandatory for students from Grade 7 to Grade 12 because “evidence suggests that older students have a higher incidence of contracting the virus, a larger number of close contacts and are more likely to transmit the virus to others as a result.”
Regular, in-person classroom learning will be available during this period for kindergarten to Grade 6 students, as well as for any grade 7 to 12 students with special needs that must be accommodated in the school or classroom setting.
This two-week remote learning period will begin Jan. 4, following the regularly scheduled holiday break.
Funding Update
The Education Minister also confirmed the full for allocation of the provincial government’s $100-million investment, along with $85.4 million in federal funding, towards enhancing school safety.
The province recently announced funding for a Provincial Remote Learning Support Centre, which aims to assist school divisions and educational staff during this remote learning period.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
