By Matt Fetinko

To go back or not to go back

Parents weigh their options as students can return to class on Monday

May 27, 2020 | 4:11 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Monday marks the start of Phase Three for BC’s Restart Plan and with that, the return to classrooms for many students. That means School District 57 students will be able to go back to school for the first time in over two months next week but it will be a bit different than they remember.

It will be done on a part-time basis with K to 5 students going two days a week and grade 6 to 12 students going one day a week, broken down into different groups. Groups will be made for a certain number of students and that group will determine which day(s) a student will be in class. Wednesdays are dedicated to the Online Continuity of Learning Plans. Schools will be open Monday to Friday for children of essential workers and students requiring extra supports.

To gauge how Prince George parents are feeling, we posed the question on a PG Questions & Answers Facebook page. A need for motivation and structure were commonly listed among those who are sending their kids back. The most popular reason is to regain the social aspect of school and how it benefits young people.

“There’s a large mental health component for getting kids back into our classrooms. For most of our kids, they have not been in class since the middle of March,” explained Tim Bennett, School District 57 Board Chair.

Meanwhile, some say the routine picked up through online learning at home has made it unnecessary to go back. Others, still understandably concerned for health reasons especially with masks being optional. SD57 has put certain measures in place to ensure social distancing is maintained while kids are back in school.

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Regarding the decision to send a kid back to school or not, Bennett said, “you need to make the decision that’s best for your family.”

If a parent wants to change their approach, they are encouraged to get in touch with their kids’ principal to work out how to move forward.