Education minister Gordon Wyant announced schools will return be back in session this fall. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Returning to class

P.A. teachers and administrators await information on fall reopening plans

Jun 10, 2020 | 7:30 AM

Educators in Prince Albert are responding to the government’s announcement that schools will reopen this fall.

The decision was announced Tuesday afternoon by Minister of Education Gordon Wyant who said it was “an important step for families to get back to a new-normal.”

Lorel Trumier, director of education for Prince Albert Catholic Schools said everyone involved with education, from parents to teachers has been waiting to hear about plans for the fall. She said they are waiting on more information from the province and health officials to outline best practices.

“We understand that there will be information forthcoming about the pragmatics or the parameters,” she told paNOW.

In regards to what operations might look like when the doors open, Trumier said it was too early to talk about specifics. She added they would be willing to consider a variety of options to ensure they can operate safely.

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“We’re certainly going to be open-minded about any strategy that protects our students and our staff,” she said.

Trumier said she expects any plan would have certain steps which need to be followed. She said the plan should also be responsive to local issues and concerns.

The organization which represents teachers in P.A. and surrounding area said there are some questions that need to be answered. P.A. and Area Teachers Association President Ted Zurakowski said work needs to be done to assure the general public.

“In my view there’s a lot of work to be done before public confidence is high enough to send students back to school with teachers,” he said.

Zurakowski said teachers do want to be with their students and he understands why there is pressure to get kids back in class for the fall. However, he stressed the safety of everybody involved needs to be the main focus.

“We’ve got to do it in a responsible way that considers the safety of everybody,” he said.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn