Times-Chronicle Staff
About 60,000 students returned to school in B.C. on June 1, with roughly 30 per cent of students in attendance, according to numbers from the Ministry of Education.
At the high end were Grade 6 students at 48.3 per cent of total students returning to class province-wide, while Grade 12 students were at the low end with 14.5 per cent.
The ministry’s numbers reflect only the first day of the return to part-time, in-school learning. Other students will gradually be back in their classrooms over the course of this week.
As part of stage three of B.C.’s return to schools, all families have been given the option to have their children back in classrooms for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
“It’s an option for parents. Parents, we respect whatever choice they make, whether it’s to return their kids to school at this time or not and I know from day one yesterday we are already hearing from some parents who maybe thought they wouldn’t return to school that are now displaying some interest,” said Rob Fleming, Education Minister at a press conference Tuesday. “I’d urge them to contact their local teachers and their local principal if they want to return to school alter this week or next week.”
Kindergarten to Grade 5 students are limited to 50 per cent of the school’s capacity, with a half-time or alternating schedule. Grade 6 to 12 classes are limited to 20 per cent of the school’s capacity and approximately one day of in-class learning, per student per week.
Children of essential service workers and students who need more support will continue to be offered full-time classroom instruction, the province stated.
Province-wide, roughly 90 per cent of teachers are returning to schools, Fleming said.
“There’s about 10 per cent of teachers, it will be a little higher in some districts, a little lower in others, that have been given accommodations to keep working off-site, typically in their homes. many of them have been assigned to solely support remote, online learning,” Fleming said.
Families who choose not to send their children to school are still being supported by teachers remotely, the province said, as schools are designating specific time for teachers to focus on remote education. If families change their minds about in-class learning, they are asked to contact their child’s school as soon as possible so the school can plan to support the child.
All school districts have health and safety plans approved by the Ministry of Education that follow strict guidelines provided by the provincial health officer and WorkSafeBC, including limiting the number of students in school, avoiding groups or gatherings of students in hallways or other common areas and taking students outside more often; regular cleaning of high-contact surfaces like door knobs, toilet seats, keyboards and desks at least twice a day, and cleaning the school building at least once a day.
Schools are also required to conduct staggered drop-offs, lunch and recess breaks, with increased outside time; and asking staff and students (or their parents/guardians) to assess themselves daily for symptoms of COVID-19, with clear policies not to come to school if unwell.
If any student or staff member has even mild symptoms, arrangements will be made for that person to be returned home.
Local safety plans are posted on each school district’s website for parents to access.
