Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced yesterday, the school year will begin September 8th.
The news pleases MVSD Superintendent Dan Ward because they now have a date to work with.
“We’re also pleased that there’s not going to be a whole lot of disruption to families. I mean, this is typically when students do come back and so, I don’t think it’s going to greatly impact summer plans and I know our students and our families do need a break, they do need a rest after what’s been occurring so far. So generally, we’re happy with the announcement.”
Schools have already been preparing for the next school year and the preparation will continue over the summer. Ward says the number of scenarios they have to consider will make the work challenging.
“We hope that all students will be back on September the 8th, and if that’s the case, we know there’s going to be some social distancing requirements we’re going to have to plan for. Staggered times in terms of students moving from class to class, we’re going to have to look at our recess schedule, our break schedules, our lunch schedules, we’re going to have to look at advanced cleaning protocols, we’re going to have to look at increased safety measures and protocols, and what to do if a student becomes ill, and the list does go on.”
Ward says there’s a lot their principals and the division leadership team have been looking at and will continue to plan over the summer.
“Those plans really can’t become concrete until we know from the province exactly what school re-entry will look like and of course, that will largely depend on how the situation develops in the coming weeks.”
Goertzen says more details on the School Reopening Plan will be announced soon.
