By Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
Schools in Oliver and Osoyoos have outlined their restart plans to keep students safe during the pandemic this fall.
But not all parents are convinced it is safe to send their children back to class, therefore, some will continue with remote learning.
Parents are encouraged to visit their school’s website for updated plans, which include new “learning groups” to help protect students from COVID-19.
The province has also mandated the wearing of masks in middle schools and secondary schools (only in high traffic areas).
Every student and staff member will be given two masks. Students will have the choice to wear a mask in the classroom, and staff will have the choice of wearing one while interacting with their learning group.
Elementary school students are not required to wear masks.
In secondary schools, timetables have been modified to adhere to health and safety requirements, with much of their instruction occurring in class. The majority of school districts (68 per cent) are moving to a quarterly semester system, according to the province.
In a media briefing last week, Minister of Education Rob Fleming said the province is taking the best science-based health advice to have as many students as possible return to school.
“There is no substitute for in-class learning,” he said.
In fact, Fleming pointed out the dislocating impacts and consequences of students staying away from school for a prolonged period of time.
Fleming said approximately 200,000 students returned to school in June but added that 400,000 stayed home.
He acknowledged that some parents don’t feel comfortable sending their children back to class, but he pointed out that districts will be flexible in working with families who prefer remote learning.
The minister said additional funding will be used to hire more custodians and to provide non-medical masks to students. During question period, Fleming was asked how schools plan to keep students safe in a class of 20 where social distancing is a challenge.
He said it’s important to keep COVID-19 cases low in the region, and to make sure students don’t “roam” around the school. He also mentioned staggering breaks, wearing masks and frequent hand hygiene practices will go a long way to keep pupils safe.
In case of an outbreak or a spike in case numbers, contact tracing will be very important, Fleming said.
According to Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, cases of COVID-19 in schools are inevitable as students head back this fall.
Fleming was asked how he felt about the latest legal challenge (by two Lower Mainland parents) against the province for not doing enough to protect students amidst the pandemic. The parents argue that tougher measures are required to reopen schools to protect people with underlying health conditions.
Fleming said he did not have a comment because he wasn’t fully aware of the case.
Bev Young, superintendent of School District No. 53, said they received written approval Aug. 24 that their restart plan meets provincial health requirements.
Young indicated that students will be welcomed back for an orientation session starting September 10 and 11. During this orientation, students will learn the new safety rules and practise the routines (how to move safely from class to other common areas).
The superintendent clarified that students and staff are to stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms. “We expect that they will seek the assistance of a health care provider by calling the number to seek direction as to if they should be tested. They should stay home pending a negative test and the symptoms are resolved.”
Young said this won’t necessarily take two weeks.
Tracy Harrington, principal of Southern Okanagan Secondary School, encourages parents to visit their website.
“We are working very hard to put these safety measures in place,” she said.
Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary School principal Patsy-Anne Takacs said they too are very busy putting plans in place.
“Things will be similar to June, but there will be some changes.”
Scott Tremblay, principal of Osoyoos Secondary School, said he was “swamped” with work trying to get the school ready for opening day. The first day back for Grade 8s and 9s is Thursday, Sept. 10, while the Grade 11s and 12s return on Sept. 11.
In correspondence to parents, Tremblay says all students are required to wear a mask when riding the bus. However, private transportation to and from school is encouraged.
All visitors are required to complete the daily COVID-19 health check at the front office.
Tremblay says families are asked to assess their child’s health every day before attending school.
Handwashing stations will be located throughout the school as well.
Tremblay notes that students will be required to wear masks in the hallways or when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Each student will be given two reusable masks on the first day of school.
Physical barriers will be placed in the office and library, and in some classrooms.
The school’s concession will not be available, therefore, students are encouraged to bring lunches.
Two new touchless water fill stations have been installed in the school.
Students will required to wear masks in high traffic areas when they go back to school this fall.
(File photo)
Dean Rowland, a teacher at Oliver Elementary School, said he is not feeling unsafe or worried about his health or the health of students. But he is thinking about COVID precautions.
“I am sure this year’s start-up will have quite a different feel, but I am looking forward to getting back to working with students in the classroom,” he said.
Petra Veintimilla, representing the Parent’s Advisory Council at Oliver Elementary School, said she has heard from both sides of the coin – parents who are looking forward to sending their kids back to school and those who are anxiously looking for alternatives.
“I think in general parents want information on what this upcoming year will look like for their child, which can be difficult when and all of the answers sought may not be available right now.”
Veintimilla said it’s understandable that some parents are feeling nervous, but she is confident that Oliver Elementary administrators and teachers will respond to all of these concerns.
“My boys are looking forward to seeing their friends and teachers. They know that this year will be different, and we are doing our best to prepare them for that.”
Local parent Sid Ruhland is sending two kids back to school, and one to part-time daycare.
“We have no idea what’s going to happen, but we’re expecting chaos and stressful uncertainty,” he said.
Ruhland noted that society needs to have a conversation about how it’s going to manage the germ paranoia at a time when germs cannot be avoided.
He doubts if the medical system will be able to conduct the number of tests required to respond to every household getting cold symptoms every week or two. And he said it’s doubtful the economy can function with most people taking two weeks off every time they get a runny nose or scratchy throat.
That would be immensely stressful for small businesses, too, Ruhland pointed out.
