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COVID Response Plan

Prepared and Performing

Updated April 20, 2021
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the priority of Stanstead College has been and will continue to be the health and safety of our students. Following government rules and recommendations, our team has established protocols in all areas of school life. In addition, the entire school community underwent pooled saliva testing in January and in April, with further testing for staff scheduled for late April and May.

Recognizing that protocols and regulations evolve over time, we will all need to be flexible, understanding that our plans may shift as new information and strategies come to light.

This page provides a detailed breakdown by category of how Stanstead College is carrying out operations during the first term of study. Please note that it contains several updates since the "Fall Opening Plan" published prior to the start of the school year.

In addition, you can find our full COVID Outbreak Procedure Summary on this page.

Scroll down to find the following categories:

Arrival of International Students / Health Centre / Residence Life
Academics / Athletics (Non-Hockey) / Hockey
Food Services / Student Activities / IT / Communications


Click "Read More" to find full details. Under FAQ, click the + symbol to find answers to frequently asked questions. If you have further questions, please use the Feedback Form. Any updates to the plan will be added by category and indicated by date. We will also indicate any recent changes in this introductory section.

Our priority will continue to be the safety of our students and community while providing the best Stanstead College experience possible. Thank you for taking the time to learn more.

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  • Arrival of International Students

    Stanstead College takes pride in being home to students from around the world. Despite the constraints of COVID-19, we are implementing measures to ensure that we can continue to do so in a manner that is safe for the school and community alike. Specifically, international boarding students arriving in Canada will follow a 14-day quarantine on campus upon arrival at Stanstead College. This quarantine is in our residences in single rooms.

    In accordance with federal guidelines, quarantine applies to all travellers entering the country, whether they have COVID‑19 symptoms or not.
    Read More

FAQ

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  • What documentation is required to enter Canada? (Updated April 13, 2021)

    In order to ensure that international students travelling to Stanstead College have all the necessary documents required on arrival by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), our school will be preparing and sending individual document packages and a checklist to each student prior to their departure. This package will be sent to each student in the week before their planned travel and will be reviewed with each individual student ahead of their travel (by Zoom, Skype or WhatsApp) to ensure that they understand what to present to CBSA officers on arrival in Canada.

    The document package will need to be printed in order to present to CBSA on arrival in Canada. The package will include their quarantine plan, a letter outlining Stanstead College’s requirement for in-person attendance, transportation details (if applicable), current/updated bank statement or other proof of financial support, contact information as well as copies of medical insurance, study permit (or IRCC Study Permit Approval letter) and CAQ.

    Parents and guardians may be permitted to travel to Canada with their minor children. They must have all the proper visas and travel documents from the Government of Canada.

    ArriveCAN App
    Travelers entering Canada by air or by land must provide travel and quarantine information to CBSA using the ArriveCAN App. All international students will need to download the app via the App Store or Google Play and use it for their upcoming travel to Canada. Information may be submitted easily and securely via the
    app prior to travelling to Canada and during quarantine.

  • What is quarantine?

    Quarantine is intended to stop the spread of contagious diseases by isolating people or groups who do not have/show symptoms but may have been exposed to a sickness. By keeping them away from others, they cannot unknowingly infect anyone.

  • What if my child or another child shows symptoms?

    The Health Centre is available for any student who becomes ill at any time. If symptoms suggest the presence of COVID-19, we will follow protocols set by the Health Centre.

  • Who will support my child’s needs during quarantine?

    There will a designated group of staff who will oversee students, including Health Centre staff, house directors, counsellor etc.

  • Will my child’s health be monitored throughout the quarantine?

    Yes, the Health Centre staff will check multiple times daily.

  • How can I get in contact with my child during quarantine?

    Students will have access to their phone and Internet during isolation, and you will be able to contact them at any point.

  • What if my child needs something?

    Students will be able to communicate with supervisors and/or advisors via text, phone, email or Microsoft Teams.

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  • Health Centre

    The Health Centre team is dedicated to meeting the daily health needs of our students. Students continue to have access to Health Centre services, albeit under new guidelines. In addition, the Health Centre vigilantly monitors symptoms of COVID-19 among the school population and has protocols in place should such an event occur.

    Specifically, students will be required to enter the Health Centre by the main entrance and immediately sanitize their hands before proceeding. Any member of the school community displaying COVID-19 symptoms will use a designated rear entrance and will remain in a designated COVID space.
    Read More

FAQ

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  • What is the procedure if my child suspects they have COVID-19 symptoms?

    Following Quebec guidelines, if you have a fever OR any of these COVID symptoms:
    • Onset or worsening of cough
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Extreme fatigue
    • Sudden loss of sense of smell without nasal congestion, with or without loss of taste
    • Muscular pain
    • Headache
    • Major loss of appetite
    • Sore throat
    • Diarrhea

    the procedure is as follows:
    • Day students
      • Do not come to school. Call 811.
      • Vermont students/families can call Vermont Department of Health at 802-863-7240.
      • If already at school, notify the Health Centre and then go to the rear entrance to be assessed. We will call 811 and parents will be called to come pick up the student.
    • Boarders
      • Notify the Health Centre team and come to the rear entrance to be assessed.
      • If it is deemed that testing is necessary, the student will be isolated on the third floor of Colby until arrangements have been made to take student to be tested (following guidelines of Quebec Public Health)
    • Faculty/Staff
      • Do not come to school. Call 811.
      • If on campus – inform the Health Centre and department heads, go home and call 811.
    If any student/faculty/staff tests positive, we will

  • Are students and faculty be required to wear protective gear?

    As of July 18, masks are required in all public places for those 12 years old and up. Stanstead College requires that a mask be worn at all times, with the exception of while seated in class, while dining and during the playing of sports. Masks are not required in the students’ own residence room.

  • If my child has symptoms, how long until they can return to school?

    They must isolate for 14 days after the onset of symptoms AND until they are free of fever for at least 48 hours AND have no acute symptoms for at least 24 hours. (This does not include cough and loss of smell, which can take a longer time to go away.)

  • What happens if a boarder tests positive for COVID-19?

    The student will be required to isolate in a designated space on the third floor of Colby and follow guidelines set out by Quebec Public Health.

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  • Residence Life

    Living in residence is a key component of the overall Stanstead College boarding experience. While a number of modifications are in place to ensure COVID-19 prevention, we strive to ensure that boarding and day students continue to have a rich residential life. Please note that, as the situation in Quebec changes, so do rules regarding residence life.

    Note that since November 2021, all day students have either boarded on campus full-time or are exclusively following classes online.

    Specific measures are as follows:
    • Based on current guidelines, all international students are quarantined on campus for 14 days upon their arrival.
    Read More

FAQ

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  • Are boarding students tested for COVID-19 when they arrive on campus?

    No. Canadian public health officials are not recommending that healthy people be tested for COVID-19 at this time. Stanstead College will adhere to this recommendation.

  • Will my child have to wear a mask?

    Since November, the Quebec government requires students 12 years old and up to wear masks at all times at school, including while seated in the classroom. In addition to this, Stanstead College requires that a mask be worn at all times, including outside and during sports, with the exception of while dining. Masks are not required in the students’ own residence room.

  • How often are residences disinfected?

    Cleaning staff disinfect residences vigilantly. Residences and residence bathrooms are disinfected multiple times daily.

  • Do physical distancing rules apply in residence?

    Yes. Students will be expected to maintain recommended physical distance when in residence.

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  • Academics

    At Stanstead College, we are committed to providing students with a structured and enriching educational experience while addressing restrictions necessitated by COVID-19.

    Throughout the school year, the school has been functioning under a hybrid learning model, etc.
    Read More

FAQ

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  • Athletics (non-hockey)

    There have been Spartans athletics – in different forms – throughout the school year. The fall athletics term took place before the pandemic truly took hold, and as such featured full practices and even several exhibition games. Once the Eastern Townships region was declared “red” for the first time, winter sports became defined as extracurricular activities and featured stringent protocols and no competitions at all. Spring sports are now under way, also as a strictly extracurricular offering, in accordance with Quebec guidelines and protocols.
    Read More

FAQ

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  • Are there sports at Stanstead?

    Definitely yes. The school completed a successful fall program and practiced winter sports as an extracurricular activity. Spring sports are now under way as an extracurricular offering, in accordance with Quebec guidelines and protocols.

  • Will there be competition vs other schools?

    Stanstead College saw competition in the fall with our sister independent school, Bishop's College School. There were no competitions during the winter. Spring competition is TBD, and would almost certainly be limited to exhibition games vs BCS. With respect to what competition would specifically look like in terms of actual game play, the situation is fluid; we will continue to monitor the relevant return-to-play protocols.
     

  • Will Stanstead College be participating in the same leagues and tournaments?

    No, as all relevant leagues and tournaments have been cancelled for the remainder of the school year. As noted above, any competition at this point would be exhibition, and only against BCS.

  • If my child is unable to be on campus, will there be virtual athletic opportunities?

    Local day students who have chosen to study online have been invited to join an off-campus hiking/outdoor pursuits "team." This group is led by Stanstead College faculty and brings our distance learners together in a common athletic pursuit. While hiking and outdoor pursuits make up the bulk of the weekly activities, these DL students will also be able to participate in cross-country running and perhaps cycling.
     

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  • Hockey

    We have been skating this fall with regular weekly practices five times per week. Our girls have also enjoyed weekly Red-vs-White scrimmages for game play. Our varsity and prep U16 teams have been able to compete vs Bishop’s College School (close in proximity and similar COVID protocols). However, our girls have not been able to play games due to the current COVID situation in the province. We will continue our current plan until the December break and remain hopeful that the situation may improve come our January return.
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FAQ

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  • Food Services

    Working with our food supplier, Dana Hospitality, Stanstead College has adapted its meal service to comply with all safety regulations. LeBaron Dining Hall has been reconfigured to ensure students and faculty can safely physical distance during meals. Signs are posted throughout LeBaron and the meal area where the lines are formed to ensure all rules are understood and followed. Mealtimes are expanded and staggered to comply with the number of students/faculty permitted at one time.

    The following details outline the steps we have taken and the protocol to follow to ensure safety for all regarding meals at Stanstead College.
    Read More

FAQ

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  • Student Activities (Animation)

    Stanstead College is committed to offering a safe and well thought out animation program that is fun yet complies with all safety regulations put forth by Stanstead College and the Quebec government. While we have planned the same level of diverse weekend activities as in previous years, the focus is on smaller groups, activities taking place simultaneously in multiple locations and activities that by their very nature incorporate social distance.
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  • IT

    Stanstead College, like all schools, was forced to respond quickly and adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19. To this end, all teachers were given professional development this spring to facilitate a change to online teaching and learning. Although far from ideal, the transition was by and large a success, with the vast majority of students and parents providing positive feedback.

    In anticipation of a continued need for flexibility and adaptability, the College is continuing to invest in its IT infrastructure as well as in further training for teachers. Stanstead College has positioned itself as a leader in distance learning and will continue to be so.
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FAQ

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  • Communication

    Stanstead College is committed to communicating quickly, clearly and efficiently to all members of our school community regarding changes in policy related to COVID-19 and other information affecting school life. A number of tools are available to deliver these messages, often used in combination, including email, a weekly bulletin (delivered by email), weekly parent Zoom meetings in multiple language, social media (Facebook, Twitter) and website.
    Read More

FAQ

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  • How can I contact the school?

    For general questions, your child’s advisor remains the best person to contact. If you have a question for a specific teacher or administrator, you can find their contact information on our Contact Us page. If you don’t know who to address your question to or if you simply have general comments, you can simply use the Feedback Form located on our website.

  • How often should I hear from the school?

    The school issues a bulletin every Sunday evening local time, delivered by email to parents and other constituents. Other updates during the week can be found on our social media pages, often with links to content on the website and elsewhere. If there is an urgent matter, we will contact parents as quickly as possible via email. Parents will also continue to receive less urgent emails from the school from time to time regarding report cards, staffing announcements, etc.

  • Where can I find information about COVID-19 in Stanstead and area?

    The regional health authority, Santé Estrie, updates the number of cases in the Estrie (Eastern Townships) region Monday through Friday. Please note that this information is in French only. This site also links to a PDF providing a breakdown of cases by regional municipal county (MRC) and by municipality.

Previous Updates

450 Dufferin, Stanstead, Quebec, Canada, J0B 3E0 | (819) 876-2223 | admissions@stansteadcollege.com
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