Most K-12 students return to school this fall

“The classroom is an essential part of a child’s social, academic and mental development, and that’s why we are working hard to ensure students can safely spend the next school year with their teachers and classmates.”–Rob Flemming, B.C. Minister of Education

“School is going to look and feel different,” said Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. As students come back they will be separated into learning groups, a consistent group of staff and students. Dr. Henry says that the implementation of these cohorts will help contain possible transmission of COVID-19 as well as allow for quicker contact tracing by health authorities.

Health and safety measures will still be in place across schools in the province, such as increased cleaning, physical distancing and wearing masks in tighter spaces. Elementary through middle school students will be placed in learning groups of a maximum of 60 people, and high school students in groups of a maximum of 120. The group maximum is smaller in elementary and middle schools as Henry says that physical distancing and proper hand hygiene may be a bit harder to implement with younger children.

“Being back in school is also crucial to support many parents in being able to work, but we must do it safely. We ask for families and workplaces to continue to be flexible as we come into the fall. We’ve put a lot of thoughtful work and consideration into reopening schools this fall and in making sure we’re supporting children in ways that keep them, the people who teach them and our communities safe.”–Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer

A one-time investment of $45.6 million as part of the BC COVID-19 Action Plan will be provided to help support and ensure the health and safety of students and staff during the pandemic. “We do know that cases may occur and we and public health, the school health officers, will be there and will support the school community to manage any case that does arise,” said Dr. Henry. If there is an increase in transmission, there is a plan in place to level transmission rates back out. While most students are returning to class, school size may play a factor in if students will also be able to work remotely.

Staff and students will be required to self-access every day for COVID-19 symptoms and if any do arise arrangements will be made for that person to return home. The ministry is developing operational guidelines that will further assist school districts and independent schools with their planning for September. An education steering committee including teachers, parents, Indigenous rightsholders, support staff, principals and vice-principals, school trustees and the public health sector has also been established to identify best practices and find solutions to potential issues.

“B.C. will continue to keep a strong focus on science-based decisions as we learn to adjust the delivery of education during the COVID-19 pandemic.”–Stephanie Higginson, president of the B.C. School Trustees Association

Families will hear from their school district or independent school throughout the summer with updated health and safety guidelines for elementary, middle and secondary schools, as well as learning groups, schedules, enrolment and registration information with the final details being submitted to the ministry and posted online by the districts on Aug. 26, 2020.

Photo Courtesy: Province of British Columbia, Flickr.

by Veronica Beltran

Most K-12 students return to school this fall

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