By Lyonel Doherty

Times-Chronicle

Teaching assistant Anne Selsing from Oliver Elementary gives student Harwin Sohi some hand sanitizer before entering the school on Monday. (Photo by Lyonel Doherty)

Back to school in Oliver is going as smooth as it could be during a global pandemic.

“Everything seems to be running quite smoothly so far,” said Oliver Elementary principal Jason McAllister.

The school has two groups attending – one on Monday and Wednesday and the other on Tuesday and Thursday.

McAllister said the first group this week included 92 students, and the second group has approximately 100 students.

Overall, about 60 per cent of students have returned, he pointed out.

As for physical distancing, that is only one piece of the many safety procedures that Oliver Elementary has implemented.

“We maintain distance as much as possible; it’s easier in the classroom, hallways and during structured times, like entering the building.”

McAllister said the big focus is minimizing physical contact among students, especially while they are on the playground.

“Students have been very respectful and responsive to the physical distancing requirements,” he noted.

Over at Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary, the week is also off to a good start, according to Principal Patsy-Anne Takacs.

“Our week is going quite smoothly, which is a testament to all the work put in by staff in preparation for the return of students.”

The school saw 57 students on Monday and 55 on Tuesday.

“As expected, the younger children are naturally having a harder time with the physical distancing, but generally students are understanding.”

Takacs overheard one Grade 2 pupil telling his “Papa” how to follow the lines in the hallways.

The principal pointed out that many activities are taking place outside of the school.

Takacs is reminding visitors to sign in, sanitize their hands and sign out when they leave.

At Southern Okanagan Secondary School, principal Tracy Harrington was very pleased how Monday worked out.

“We had approximately 50 students here . . . the students followed all of the guidelines. It worked out really well.”