Districts in flux

Mar 31, 2020 | 4:12 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Spring break is over, but the kids are not heading back to the classrooms. That was an order from the provincial health office weeks ago.

“So when you say schools are open, they’re not,” says Joanne Hapke, President of the Prince George District Teachers Association. “The children are not expected to be in schools right now. And when children do start entering, they will be the children of essential workers.”

In the meantime, school districts are in a state of flux as they try to figure out how students will get an education as per guidelines set out by the Province. Most staff are working from home and for those who are coming into the schools, the District is taking measures to assure the schools are safe. As for the students …

“For the most part students will be working from home, supported by their teachers,” explains Anita Richardson, Superintendent of District 57. “What that will look like will depend on the situation and the context. Whether that will be online or with packages provided by the school.”

The Ministry has mandated that students of those essential services workers be taught in the classroom. The Ministry has also set mid-April as the date for a return to full instruction. This week, teachers have one goal.

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“There’s a lot of teachers who want to get started, get connected immediately and I do know our District is saying communication is the first thing we want to do. We want you to reach out and connect with the children again. So that is our main focus this week. The connection.”

Joanne Hapke says each student will be contacted and the nature of their education moving forward, be it on-line, in person or with hard copy, will be determined and each teacher will figure a way to achieve that within reason.

The District will also be looking at how to get students’ personal effects returned. Richardson says that process will begin next week.

Information as matters progress will be updated on the District’s website.

by Cheryl Jahn

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Districts in flux

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