ST. PAUL - St. Paul Education updated its re-entry plan a week after initially releasing it. The update was not unexpected, as administration previously stated changes would likely occur prior to the school year starting, and also once students are back in class.
"Due to the fluidity of new information surrounding the pandemic, and as we gather more insight and information from all stakeholders, we will be making necessary changes to our re-entry plan throughout the school year," said SPERD board chair Heather Starosielski.
"All of our decisions continue to be guided by the advice from AHS and the Chief Medical Officer," states the update, released last week.
In the original re-entry plan, lockers were not going to be used. Now, student lockers will be available, although change room lockers will stay closed.
"Each school will create a plan using staggered break times or other means to support physical distancing at lockers. Having the lockers open means that students will have access to a place to store their personal items and will reduce clutter and crowding in classrooms," according to the update.
The division has also decided to stagger the first days of school. Half of students will begin class on Sept. 2, while the other half will start on Sept. 3.
All students in Grades 1 to 12 will attend together on Sept. 4.
Each school is responsible to letting parents know which day their child is expected to attend. Elementary schools will also be providing a plan for staggered kindergarten entry.
"Staggering the first days of school will allow students, staff and families to become familiar with and adjust to the many new health measures and routines that have been implemented to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being," reads the update.
Sports
The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) has provided guidelines for the safe return of athletics. Under the guidance included in the document that has been released by the ASAA, St. Paul Education will be allowing both junior and senior high sports to resume.
"As school sports are extracurricular, please be aware that the final decision to coach/volunteer will be at the discretion of the coach," reads the update from St. Paul Education. "St. Paul Education respects the ability of individual coaches to make decisions in the best interest of both their own and players’ health and well-being. In addition to following all health measures that have been identified for schools."
Teams will be expected to follow the guidelines that are in place, which means only practices are permitted. There is no league or tournament play taking place yet.
Cohorts of up to 50 people are allowed, however no cohort can interact with another cohort.
A person can only participate in a second/different cohort if they complete activity with one cohort and then not participate with another cohort for 14 days. This applies to school sports only.
Attendance records for all gatherings of the cohort, including meetings and practices, will be kept. Spectators should be kept out of participant spaces.
"With respect to changes in lockers and sports, these changes reflect and fully align with AHS and Dr. Hinshaw's guidelines and recommendations," said Superintendent Glen Brodziak. He notes that just like Hinshaw noted, keeping children safe from COVID-19 is not the only aspect of keeping them healthy.
"Opening lockers and allowing school sports will be done under strict safety and physical distancing requirements, but as a school division we know the importance of social interactions and other benefits children will receive with these changes," said the superintendent.
Survey
A survey was also sent out to parents last week, asking which direction they would be taking as the school year nears. Families have been given the option to send students back to in-school learning, or opt for in-home learning.
For at-home learning, students remain registered with their home school but continue learning at home under the direction of a St. Paul Education Regional Division teacher. Parents were asked to respond by Aug. 20.
"The survey responses we have received for how parents would like their child's education delivered will help guide us to appropriately allocate our staff and resources," says Starosielski. "We need this information as quickly as possible and we will be following up with families that may have missed the survey. On behalf of the St. Paul Education Board of Trustees, I would like to thank all of our students, parents and staff for their patience and understanding. The situation we are facing is new and unchartered territory for all of us and I'm aware that many of us have reservations."
Starosielski encourages anyone with questions or concerns to contact their school administration or the superintendent.
