‘Reportable illness’ outbreak forces CAPE School to delay start of classes

Supt. Teresa Di Ninno tells CHAT News that 25 per cent of the school’s staff, mostly teachers, have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently isolating. The short turnaround meant the school were unable to get enough substitutes needed in order to start class on Aug. 29 as planned.

The letter sent to CAPE School parents. (Supplied Image)

Di Ninno says it was “logistically impossible” to fill the 17 classrooms at the school with sufficient teachers and support staff, and ultimately made the decision to move the start date to next week, with health and safety being the utmost priority.

“Our main focus and goal is to protect the health and the wellness of all of our staff, our kids and our parents,” Di Ninno says. “So given that was our major goal, it makes sense.”

Di Ninno did not express any concern about the days missed for students, as it is early enough in the year to plan for any academic work around. While a small group of parents expressed their concerns about the postponement, Di Ninno says a vast majority of parents are in agreement with the decision.

Students at CAPE will now start the school year on Sept. 6, after the long weekend.

by Chris Brown/Gates Guarin

‘Reportable illness’ outbreak forces CAPE School to delay start of classes

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