September is just weeks away, so students, teachers, and parents are preparing to head back to the classroom.
This will be the first time schools are open since the COVID-19 outbreak in March.
The provincial government released its Return to School Guide for Parents and the Public last week. The 16 page document outlines what students, teachers, and parents can expect when their children return to school in September.
Rules and procedures depend on the students’ grade level.
Students from kindergarten to grade eight will be grouped together by classroom to minimize the risk of infection. They will be in school full-time with reduced class sizes, and will be required to wear masks in common areas such as hallways or bathrooms. Students are not required to wear masks within their class groupings.
High school students will not have class groupings to allow personalized learning options. They will attend school part-time, every other day at minimum, to make sure that social distancing is possible in classrooms. High school curriculums will be taught both in the classroom and online. All students will require a laptop.
The province released a Laptop Subsidy Program for students from low-income families.
The application can be found on the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website.
NB Public Health will be involved in the return to school, and step in in the event of an outbreak.
The guide says Public Health will use contact tracing and risk management to make decisions on who self-isolates in the event of an infection. This may require an individual or several individuals, a classroom or multiple classrooms or even an entire school to self-isolate.
Public Health will inform those who are at risk of the next steps but will not release the names of those people who have tested positive for privacy reasons.
The province advises students with underlying conditions or other specific health concerns to consult their doctor before returning to school. Relevant information should then be shared with the school for appropriate planning.
The entire document is available on the Education and Early Childhood Development website.
Those with questions or concerns about the return to school plan or the laptop subsidy can call the department at 1-833-901-1963.
Community members, parents, students, and teachers are welcome to reach out to CHMA about the plan by email at reporting@chmafm.com.
by Meg Cunningham.
