In the Louis Riel School Division (LRSD), we have developed dashboards that allow the public to view self-reported student absences and are developing dashboards related to staff absences. The dashboards will refresh every school day at 4:30 p.m. The pages will also be consistently monitored for any reporting updates and amended accordingly.
These dashboards allow the community to monitor the impact of COVID-19 in schools in LRSD. They also provide the community with a glimpse into the reports we look at internally to monitor, make decisions about our schools' capacities, and provide information to the government in a timely and evidenced-informed way.
Student Dashboards
Overall Student Absence Rates Dashboard
On the Overall Student Absence Rates Dashboard, individuals can view the percentage of the student population that was absent for any reason and for any portion of the day. This can be broken down divisionally by grade level. The purpose of this dashboard is to provide the community with an overall view of how absences are trending in LRSD. The data goes back to the first day of school in September and provides a visual baseline of absences to date in the 2021-2022 school year.
COVID-Related Student Absences Dashboard
On the COVID-Related Student Absences Dashboard, individuals can view the number of self-reported COVID-related student absences for the division as a whole and in a given school and/or grade. These absences include instances when a student:
a) tests positive on a COVID-19 PCR or Rapid Antigen Test*
and/or
b) has COVID-19 symptoms
and/or
c) is isolating due to COVID-19
*The recording of self-reported absences based on Rapid Antigen Tests began on January 10.
For the period Jan. 10 to Jan. 14, 2022, attendance at school was limited to the children of Critical Service Workers in Kindergarten to Grade 6 and students with additional needs from kindergarten to Grade 12. Attendance is not being reported for students engaged in independent learning during those dates.
Staff Dashboards
Overall School Staff Absence Rates Dashboard
On the Overall School Staff Absence Rates Dashboard, individuals can view the percentage of the school staff population that were absent for any reason and for any portion of the day. The purpose of this dashboard is to provide the community with an overall view of how absences are trending in LRSD. The data goes back to the first day of school in September and provides a visual baseline of absences to date in the 2021-2022 school year.
COVID-Related School Staff Absences Dashboard
On the COVID-Related School Staff Absences Dashboard, individuals can view the number of self-reported COVID-related school staff absences for the division and for a school. These absences include instances when a staff member:
a) tests positive on a COVID-19 PCR or Rapid Antigen Test
and/or
b) has COVID-19 symptoms
and/or
c) is isolating due to COVID-19
Prior to Jan. 10, 2022, LRSD was recording and reporting staff absences as COVID-19 when confirmed by Public Health. We began recording self-reported staff COVID-related absences on Jan. 10.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is important to note that these dashboards are only as accurate as the self-reported data provided. Staff and families are encouraged to continue reporting absences from school and disclose any COVID-related absences.
As instructed by the government, moving forward, schools will no longer provide close contact notification and notification letters on individual cases. Public Health will continue to report confirmed COVID-19 cases through its online dashboard and will monitor schools with confirmed cases for evidence of increased transmission above levels expected in the community.
As stated by the Manitoba Government in its Toolkit for Notification of Cases in Schools:
When there is an increased percentage of absences, case counts or operational concerns related to COVID-19 activity, school officials will submit an alert form to request support from Public Health and/or Manitoba Education. In situations where public health officials have determined that increased transmission is, or may be, occurring in a school, implementation of a period of rapid antigen testing may be recommended by public health officials for students and staff in a class/cohort or school if widespread. Public health officials may also recommend other preventive measures in school, such as reducing higher risk activities. Where transmission continues to increase or where COVID-19 cases are impacting school operations, a seven-day period (five school days) of self-isolation (quarantine) and remote learning for the class/cohort or school may be directed by Public Health and extended as needed.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the Student and Staff Reported Absence Dashboards, please reach out to communications@lrsd.net.
Stay safe and be well,
Christian Michalik
