(file photo)

By Glenn Hicks

back to school

Reduced and staggered re-entry for all Sask.Rivers schools

Aug 13, 2020 | 6:00 AM

The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) has released updated information regarding the timeline for the start of the new school year next month amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes after the district confirmed with paNOW on Tuesday that face masks will be used by all Grade 4 to 12 students.

Re-entry to schools will happen in a staggered, partial way between Sept.3 and Sept. 11 with only half the regular students per class. Regular sized classrooms are then expected to resume from Sept.14.

In a letter to families Wednesday, Director of Education Robert Bratvold said the next version of the SRPSD School Re-Entry Plan will be published at the end of the day on August 17.

The letter explained various elements ahead of the return to school “to provide as much time as possible for families to review and consider these items in their thinking about returning to school.”

1. Masks

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a. Masks will be required for all staff and for students in grade 4-12 on instructional days.

b. Masks will not be required by staff on non-instructional days, and in non-school buildings, as long as physical distancing can be maintained.

c. Volunteer wearing of masks will be supported in all circumstances.

d. Staff and students are encouraged to provide health-approved masks for themselves, but SRPSD will provide them at school start-up and as required.

e. Re-usable masks (2 per person) will be distributed to students and staff as the supply arrives and disposable masks will be provided in the meantime.

2. Gradual Re-Entry of students in all schools until September 11, 2020

a. Schools will divide each class in half (approximately) so half the students in each class will attend on Thursday Sept. 3, Tuesday Sept. 8 and Thursday Sept. 10 and the other half of students will attend on Friday Sept. 4, Wednesday Sept. 9 and Friday Sept. 11.

b. Families with multiple children in the same school will have children attend on the same day.

c. Gradual re-entry will allow for careful relationship building and mental health care as well as smaller groups to teach and practice new COVID-19 procedures.

d. This gradual re-entry is not without implications and challenges for families and we are thankful for the patience and flexibility of parents and caregivers.

e. Normal student attendance will resume Sept. 14 unless otherwise directed.

3. Remote Learning Access

a. Remote Learning opportunities will be provided for students with specific medical needs according to our student accommodation process.

b. The accommodation process will include documentation from family’s medical health professional, a review of restrictions and development of a plan by school team, division supports and family.

c. Initial questions about student accommodation should be directed to the school Principal.

4. Updated Plan will be published at end of day on August 17, 2020

a. Our plan will continue to be structured in the way that prioritizes student and staff psychological and physical needs and then great learning experiences.

b. Plan will provide direction and some consistency, but will also be emphasizing the ability for local autonomy in schools to create the details for how the division expectations will be implemented.

c. We have Division plans in place and we know that school teams will have more detailed plans ready when school resumes to care for mental wellness and physical health and safety of students and staff.

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow