Students are returning to class at both Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) and Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD) schools this week.
Both school divisions have implemented health and safety measures aimed at protecting students, staff and teachers.
The school divisions are taking their cues from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) ‘Return to School Guidance’ document issued in August.
The schools are beginning the year at ‘Level 2’, which includes ‘full in-class learning with additional protocols.’ These safety measures include the use of masks, student cohorts, and limited community access to buildings. Other measures include encouraging appropriate hand hygiene, with hand sanitizer at entrances and in every classroom.
PSSD Director of Education Darryl Bazylak said the public school division is being vigilant because of the increasing prevalence of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
“Every school division has to attend to the safety and security of the students, staff and community,” said Bazylak, who is stepping into the position after a long career with the GSCS as a teacher and administrator. “It’s a fluid situation that can change very quickly, so there is flexibility to adapt according to the circumstances.
“We rely heavily on our local SHA medical health officers for guidance, and they strongly recommend masking for students, staff and visitors.”
Elementary-school age children, age 12 and under, are required to wear masks at school. All students riding school buses where younger students are present must also wear masks.
While both GSCS and PSSD school divisions recommend that students 13 and over wear masks, they are not required at this time.
The GSCS ‘Safe School Plan’ states that “high school age students have the benefit of being eligible for vaccinations, which has proven to be the most effective layer of protection.”
Bazylak said because PSSD has a variety of grade ranges in schools, guidelines for mandatory masks are based on students’ ages, rather than specifying ‘elementary school’ or ‘high school.’
Bazylak noted that while the health and safety measures are welcomed by most parents, there are others who have objected to the masking mandate at schools and on buses.
“We have heard loudly the voice of all parents,” said Bazylak. “Because prior to any announcement there were many e-mails that expressed a desire that we have the same restrictions that were in place at the end of the last school year.
“And on the other side, we are hearing from parents concerned about masks. They are pretty pointed.
“Others want to learn a bit more and understand it better. There is so much information out there, and they want to make sense of it.
“They are all acting out of care and concern for their children,” he added. “As a school division we understand that. But we also are tasked with the safety of students, staff and community, and we have to make those decisions, as all school divisions do.”
In addition to in-person classroom learning, the PSSD is also offering online learning options, including a ‘Prairie Spirit Learn at Home’ program that includes having a teacher assigned to assist a student’s home-based learning in a ‘low-tech or no-tech’ environment.
Bazylak said while schools provided the best learning environment they could last year, the coming academic year holds the promise of a return to more normal conditions.
“This year we are able to move back to small group instruction, where teachers are reading aloud to small groups of students,” he said. “The new style of teaching has students moving around and experiencing learning and asking questions.”
The new school year also offers a return to extra-curricular activities, including sports, band and arts.
Bazylak said while at-risk students may have fallen behind their peers last year, school divisions across the province are focusing on helping them catch up.
“The question is how quickly we can close that gap,” he said. “That’s what the whole provincial education plan is about.”
The provincial education plan, unveiled in early August, has three main priorities, including:
*Additional reading supports for Grade 1 to 5 students,
* Supportive learning opportunities for students whose education may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and
* Mental health supports for students and staff as they return from a challenging year.
The PSSD is expecting an increase in enrollment this fall, but final numbers won’t be available until the end of September.
The PSSD Board of Education is also currently updating its mission statement and strategic plan.