Prince Edward Island Summary of Education Updates

COVID-19 Prince Edward Island Summary of Education Updates

July 31, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND | Summary of the Government’s Response to COVID-19 ...... 3 Preschool & Daycare – Department of Education and Lifelong Learning ...... 3 Early years centres ...... 3 Licensed child care centres ...... 3 Kindergarten to High School – Department of Education and Lifelong Learning ...... 4 Private ...... 4 Post-Secondary Institutions – Department of Education and Lifelong Learning ...... 6 University of Prince Edward Island ...... 6 Holland College ...... 7 College de l’île ...... 8 Maritime Christian College ...... 9 A special note about the Federal Government’s directive with respect to post-secondary students and recent graduates: ...... 10 A special note about the Federal Government’s directive with respect to international students: ...... 10 Information on the Government of Prince Edward Island’s response to COVID-19 can be found directly at: ...... 10

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND | Summary of the Government’s Response to COVID-19

Preschool & Daycare – Department of Education and Lifelong Learning

Early years  PEI early years centres and  Not applicable.  Not applicable.  Not applicable.  PEI established a fund of up to $2  No update as of May 21, 2020. centres licensed childcare centres closed for million to support early learning an indefinite period of time, except centres and their staff, maintain for essential workers (current as of child care spaces and ensure Licensed May 12). parents do not pay fees during child care the period of closures (current as centres  Center-based child care will be of March 20). provided to Islanders who work in essential services for children over 2  The Department of Education and and who are not Lifelong Learning is exploring immunocompromised. Alternatively, compensation plans for child care in-home child care will be supported staff, and protocols and supports for these children and families as to address the impact on working well. 11 emergency child care parents/caregivers (current as of centres are now operating across March 27). the province and 13 more are ready when needed (current as of April 7).  From May 22, families returning to work will receive $75 per child,  As part of the Renew PEI Together per week until June 26 to help Plan, families who are returning to with child care costs. Licensed work are eligible to receive a child centres will receive the payment care allowance of up to $75 per directly. For parents using private child, per week between May 22, child care services, they will need 2020 and June 26, 2020 to help with to complete an application form. child care costs. The government The Child Care Subsidy Program will be increasing the number of is also available for families licensed child care centres based on their income and family operating from 22 to 155, allowing situation (current as of May 15). private home-based child care centres to re-open to their full

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND | Summary of the Government’s Response to COVID-19

Provincially School Status, Date of Closure, & Current Graduating Access to Online Mandated Financial Aid for Schools and Tuition, Scholarships & Entry Fees System Expected Date of Re-Opening Classes Learning Assessments & Parents Report Cards capacity (up to 7 children), and providing a new childcare allowance to support families using either licensed of private child care services (current as of May 15).  Emergency Child Care Services form discontinued on May 13, 2020.

Kindergarten to High School – Department of Education and Lifelong Learning

Private  Schools will not reopen as usual for  Grade 12 students  Determined on a  All provincial  No school-specific update as of  Tuition refunds are determined on a the remainder of the school who were on track to school-by-school assessments for this May 21, 2020, but the school-by-school basis (current as of May year (current as of May 11). graduate and engaged basis (current as of year are cancelled Government of PEI announced 21). with their learning prior May 21). including the DELF the deferral of loan payments  Beginning May 11, several to the school closure French language for clients of Finance PEI, designated schools will open to will have the  Additional activities skills assessment Island Investment Development some students who currently opportunity to that support ongoing and the Early Years Inc. and the PEI Century Fund, receive individualized supports from graduate and will not learning can be Evaluations which and that $4.5 million will be educational assistants and youth be affected by COVID- found here (current assess readiness for provided to Community service workers. These students will 19 (current as of April as of April 8). kindergarten (current Business Development return to their designated school for 17).  Students will not be as of March 31). Corporations across the part of the day where they will be tested while learning province to deliver financing to supported by their Student Services  Extra support is being  Any learning gaps as from home; however, small business and Team (current as of April 30). offered to high school a result of COVID-19 entrepreneurs. PEI also students to ensure feedback on learning will be addressed  The designated schools are: Souris materials/tasks may established the Emergency they have their and students will Working Capital Financing Regional, Montague Regional, prerequisite courses be provided by your progress to the next teacher where program aimed at providing

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND | Summary of the Government’s Response to COVID-19

Provincially School Status, Date of Closure, & Current Graduating Access to Online Mandated Financial Aid for Schools and Tuition, Scholarships & Entry Fees System Expected Date of Re-Opening Classes Learning Assessments & Parents Report Cards Morell High, Colonel Gray, and are on the right possible (current as grade level (current emergency working capital Westwood Primary, Athena path to apply to of April 8). as of April 17). financing to assist small Consolidated, Queen Elizabeth university or college businesses (current as of Elementary and Westisle (current as of May 11).  The Department of March 18). Composite. Other schools, including Education and those in Commission scolaire de  During the week of Lifelong Learning  The Province will support the Public June 22, and working  "Educational activities" and the two creation of 1,000 new job  Not applicable. langue française, will be added as will be posted on the required (current as of April 30). with students, schools education authorities placements for Island high will offer innovative Public Schools Branch have worked to school and post-secondary and the French school  Beginning June 15, K-12 teachers year-end and revise curriculum for students through increases to will meet with every student by graduation activities board's websites for September 2020 to current employment programs phone call, video or in person if that enable students to parents and students address learning and partnerships with

needed, to review their progress connect with their to use at home, and gaps and curriculum community and industry, such and provide them with feedback for teachers and friends will focus on three outcomes that could as Team Seafood, the Jobs for future learning (current as of April and bring closure to areas: health and well- not be taught this Youth Program and the Post- 30). the school year. This being, literacy and spring (Current as of Secondary Employment math. Students will not nd will include small July 2). Program (current as of April  As of July 2 , schools are group tours and be tested or graded on 14).

expected to re-open for teachers activities to support these activities (current and staff on September 1 and students who will be as of March 20). students on September 8. The transitioning to  Starting April 6, Public Schools Branch and intermediate and high Commission scolaire de langue teachers will be taking school in the fall the lead on home française will submit their (current as of April 30). operational plans to the learning activities for

Department before school their students. A resumes in the fall. variety of online and printed home learning materials will be provided so that regardless of access to the internet, families and students can still practice skills and

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND | Summary of the Government’s Response to COVID-19

Post-Secondary Institutions – Department of Education and Lifelong Learning

University of  University of Prince Edward  UPEI Convocation  Any course delivery  There will be no in-  To increase the COVID-related  Tuition refunds are determined on a Prince Island decided to suspend in- 2020 ceremonies that will occur through person exams for this supports provided by post- school-by-school basis (current as of May Edward person classes and in-person labs were scheduled for alternative means—in semester. However, secondary institutions to 21). Island effective Monday, March 16, 2020 May 7 and 8 have most cases, this will faculty have been students in immediate need, for the remainder of the semester been mean email encouraged to provide the Government of PEI will  PEI is suspending repayments for (current as of March 20). cancelled. Students communication and/or alternate forms of provide a total of $95,000 to provincial student loans from March 20, will still be awarded online delivery through assessment (current support the UPEI Student 2020 to September 30, 2020 (current as of  The University of Prince Edward their tools such as Moodle, as of March 13). Union, Holland College and May 19). Island continues to monitor degree(s)/credentials Google Meet, Collège de l'Île (current as of

developments about the at the May meeting of Collaborate, etc. April 14). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). the UPEI Senate (current as of March  The Government of PEI  Information about the University's (current as of March 20). 16). announced a partnership with gradual return to full campus  Instruction resumed on the University of Prince Edward operations is available March 23, 2020 via Island to develop a $75,000 on UPEI's Operational Ease-Back alternative methods. research fund for students Plan—Planning the Way Forward All courses for the wishing to pursue opportunities web page. (current as of June 12). Summer Semester in their respective fields of (first session and interest (current as of April 14). second session) have been moved  The Province will support the online except clinical creation of 1,000 new job rotations in the Faculty placements for Island high of Veterinary Medicine school and post-secondary and clinical courses in students through increases to current employment programs

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND | Summary of the Government’s Response to COVID-19

Holland  The closures apply to all Holland  The deadline to apply  Alternate delivery of  No update as of May  To increase the COVID-related College College centres, and to all programs to graduate has courses commenced 21, 2020. supports provided by post- that include in-person classes. The changed to April 22, on March 25. These secondary institutions to College will remain closed until the 2020 (current as of alternate delivery students in immediate need, province's Chief Public Health April 16). methods will be in the Government of PEI will Officer informs that it is safe to place for the remainder provide a total of $95,000 to reopen (current as of March 25).  All graduation of the term (current as support the UPEI Student ceremonies have been of March 22). Union, Holland College and  The college has announced its postponed (current as Collège de l'Île (current as of plans for program delivery for the of March 25).  For programs or parts April 14). upcoming school year. To view a list of programs that of programs and their delivery  The Registrar’s Office cannot be delivered  The Province will support the methods, visit this page (current as will mail out all online, a decision has creation of 1,000 new job of May 27). diplomas and not yet been made placements for Island high certificates to students regarding whether the school and post-secondary as soon as it is safe to college will extend the students through increases to do so. Currently, school year after the current employment programs delivery is estimated to pandemic restrictions and partnerships with be in June (current as are lifted (current as of community and industry, such of April 22). April 16). as Team Seafood, the Jobs for Youth Program and the Post- Secondary Employment Program (current as of April 14).

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND | Summary of the Government’s Response to COVID-19

College de  As of 5 p.m. on March 18, the  The date and format  Courses will resume  No update as of May  To increase the COVID-related l’île campuses are closed to the of graduation online on March 23, 21, 2020. supports provided by post- public, students and personnel ceremonies is being 2020 (current as of secondary institutions to until further notice (current as of reconsidered and a March 22). students in immediate need, March 22). decision will be the Government of PEI will announced by May  Program coordinators provide a total of $95,000 to 15 (current as of will be in touch with support the UPEI Student April 2). students to provide Union, Holland College and further details on Collège de l'Île (current as of online learning for the April 14). term and on assessment measures  The Province will support the (current as of March creation of 1,000 new job 22). placements for Island high school and post-secondary students through increases to current employment programs and partnerships with community and industry, such as Team Seafood, the Jobs for Youth Program and the Post- Secondary Employment Program (current as of April 14).

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND | Summary of the Government’s Response to COVID-19

Maritime  All in-person classes at the MCC  The May 9  Alternate  No update as of May  No school-specific update as of Christian campus at 503 University Avenue graduation ceremony arrangements for 21, 2020. May 21, 2020, but the College will be suspended for the rest of is cancelled. It will be online classes will be Government of PEI announced this semester (current as of March rescheduled in early made during the the deferral of loan payments 14). September. Students coming days and for clients of Finance PEI, who were to receive students will be Island Investment Development degrees will still be informed of the specific Inc. and the PEI Century Fund, awarded those in details for accessing and that $4.5 million will be May (current as of the online classes provided to Community April 2). (current as of March Business Development 14). Corporations across the province to deliver financing to small business and entrepreneurs. PEI also established the Emergency Working Capital Financing program aimed at providing emergency working capital financing to assist small businesses (current as of March 18).

A special note about the Federal Government’s directive with respect to post-secondary students and recent graduates:  Post-secondary students and recent graduates who are ineligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or for Employment Insurance, but who are unable to find full-time employment or are unable to work due to COVID-19, may apply for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). The CESB would provide $1,250 per month for eligible students from May through August 2020, and $2,000 for students with dependents and those with permanent disabilities. The CESB will be delivered by CRA. More information is found here (current as of May 13).  The Government of Canada announced a new Canada Student Service Grant which will provide up to $5,000 to support student's post-secondary education costs in the fall. More details to follow (current as of April 22).  The Government of Canada will revise the Canada Student Loan Program’s eligibility requirements in 2020-21 to allow more students to qualify for supports and be eligible for greater amounts, including doubling the non- repayable Canada Student Grants for full and part time students, as well as for students with disabilities and students with dependents, in the coming academic year. The changes are expected to expand the reach of the program and the benefit to more than 760,000 students at an estimated cost of approximately $1.9 billion over two years starting in 2020-21 (current as of April 22).  The Government of Canada will revise various student and youth employment programs, such as the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. More information is found here (current as of April 22). A special note about the Federal Government’s directive with respect to international students:  As announced on March 20, 2020, international students who held a valid study permit or had been approved for a study permit when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020, will be able travel to Canada by air or land. They will be exempt from air travel and border restrictions. This exemption is to accommodate students who are in the middle of their course of study or who have just been approved to study in Canada but were outside Canada when the travel restrictions took effect (current as of March 26).  Courses of study being delivered online on an exceptional basis due to COVID 19 will not affect Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program eligibility (current as of March 26).  Students who have a study permit or who have been approved for a study permit for a program starting in May or June may begin their classes while outside Canada and may complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner (current as of April 16).  Individuals who are already legally in Canada will be able to remain in the country (current as of March 26).  Temporary residents who are currently in Canada are able to apply to extend their status online if they need to extend their status. A temporary resident who has applied to extend their status is allowed to remain in Canada until a decision is made on their new application, even if their initial status expires while they are waiting for that decision. This is called implied status (current as of March 26).  At least one post-secondary institution has suspended the intake of new incoming International students from overseas for the Spring Semester beginning in May.  The Government of Canada is temporarily allowing international students holding study permits, who are eligible to work off campus and already present in Canada, to work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods. This change is in effect until August 31, 2020 (current as of April 22). Information on the Government of Prince Edward Island’s response to COVID-19 can be found directly at:  https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/covid-19-faqs  https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/closures-due-covid-19  https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/province-announces-next-steps-for-education

Key Contacts

Eric Roher Sean Muggah Laurie M. Robson

National Leader, Education Law Partner Partner Toronto Vancouver Calgary [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] T 416.367.6004 T 604.640.4020 T 403.232.9482

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