Guidelines aimed at keeping students, teachers and others safe when in-class learning resumes at Saskatchewan’s elementary and high schools are being released by the province.
The guidelines were developed under the direction of Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer, and a response planning team.
They are measures that Education Minister Gord Wyant shouldn’t drastically change the learning experience.
“Our expectation is that school will be as normal as it can be.” Wyant said. “This is subject to the protocols we are putting into place and they can be tweaked depending on the circumstances.”
The eight-page document calls for many things including:
- promoting proper hygiene practices for staff and students with each bringing their own hand sanitizer with them even though stations will be provided
- masks are not required beyond those used by staff as a part of their regular precautions for hazards normally encountered in the workplace
- modifying procedures for entering the building
- staggering things like recess, lunch and class transition times to provide a greater amount of space for everyone
- establishing clear protocols for bringing materials like bags and school supplies in and out of school
- classroom activities and recess times should not include equipment that may be touched by multiple students
- identifying an isolation area for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms who aren’t able to leave the facility immediately
- students should eat lunches in their classrooms with no sharing of food from home by students
- students should have assigned seats with a record of the seating plan being established to assist with contact tracing if needed with students who live together be seated together
- parents should transport their own children if possible
Parents and caregivers have been asked to monitor their children for any signs or symptoms of illness. COVID-19 infections in children tend to be mild and similar to other viral respiratory infections. If any symptoms are present, both students and school staff remain home.
The NDP’s education critic says while it is important kids are heading back to the classroom in September, she has questions.
“Who is going to do the extra work that is obviously going to be necessary to ensure safe school environments.” Beck said. “More importantly, who is going to be paying for the additional supplies and staff that may be required.”
Beck also wonders why there is no mention as to what happens should a school be forced to close its doors because of an outbreak.
“We have seen in other jurisdictions scenarios as to what happens if there is an outbreak in the fall, but that is not anticipated here.” Beck said. “In Alberta, they have three scenarios they have put out in rather detailed guidelines. That’s not what we are seeing here.”
With this situation evolving, the government says the guidelines may be updated and adjusted depending on the impact of COVID-19 and the feedback of education partners prior to the beginning of the school year.
