Kahnawake Survival School Closed Due to Teacher Shortage

Classes have been cancelled for the day at the Kahnawake Survival School (KSS).

“This is due to high staff absences and challenges in securing substitutes within such a short period,” Robin Delaronde, the Director of Education at the Kahnawake Education Centre (KEC)) said.  “We want to advise parents that classes will resume tomorrow (Tuesday) and that we are definitely sorry for the inconvenience and the short notice.”

Delaronde says one staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 in the recent outbreak. But the main challenge is because many of the staff live in the community and have children at Step By Step Child and Family Centre. That daycare has eight positive cases and has been completely shut down at least through this Wednesday.

“I was actually surprised this didn’t happen sooner,” said Natalie Beauvais, the Executive Director of Step by Step. “However, it happened fast.  Eight cases in a week. We’re quite concerned and hoping that it’s not going to spread more. So we decided, in consultation with Public Health, that we would close the centre and get everybody tested, the staff, the students, everyone.”

Testing began on the weekend and will continue today.