ST. PAUL - A meeting that was open to the public on Thursday evening offered parents the opportunity to hear St. Paul Education's return to school plan, and ask questions about what is being described as a very near-normal return to school.
Well over 100 participants tuned into the virtual meeting on Aug. 19, which included Superintendent Glen Brodziak presenting the recommendation he had prepared to put forward to the board of trustees. Board Chair Heather Starosielski was also in attendance.
"My most important job is keeping our students healthy and safe," said Brodziak during the meeting, noting, he is in no way a health care professional, but instead relies on the advice coming from the provincial government and its experts. He acknowledged that putting together his recommendation was not easy.
Parents heard that students will be returning to school without masks, other than the provincial mandate that requires masks to be worn on school buses. This will include students who are taking buses as part of athletic or field trip opportunities also.
Masks are still recommended to be worn, and those who choose to wear masks will be supported.
Brodziak stated a number of times throughout the meeting that the school division is abiding by the recommendations the provincial government has put forward. The recommendations show a move toward best practices, and away from strict public health measures.
While the plan is subject to change, with just over a week left until students return to class across the division for the start of the 2021-22 school year, all regular services, opportunities and classes will be available for students. This means field trips, athletics, assemblies and special events, food services, and more could be back on the schedule.
Brodziak explained that there will still be some precautions taken, such as avoiding large back-to-school assemblies that would see all students congregate in school gymnasiums. He noted that during the past year and a half, a lot of lessons have also been learned, and many of those habits could stay in effect. For example, the use of specific entrances and exits for specific grades at some schools may continue.
Some of the new habits resulted in efficiencies being discovered.
Brodziak noted that a focus on cleaning high-touch surfaces will also continue, sanitizer will be available to students and staff, hand washing will be part of the daily routine, and there will be a focus on increased ventilation when possible.
Teachers will also focus on welcoming students back and making them feel safe when they return to class on Sept. 2, and only after that will they move toward learning.
"We need to reconnect with our students," which means creating meaningful conversations that are genuine, said Brodziak. Things will be taken "one step at a time," and the school division is focused on generating "hope" among its students.
Brodziak also noted that staff will be alert to students' needs and provide extra support when it is needed. Staff will not be talking about "catching up," and will start with learning current grade outcomes. Staff will build on students' strengths and then fill in the gaps.
Parents will be expected to continue with daily screenings of children, and anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must still isolate for the time being; however, how schools deal with positive cases will be much different than last school year. According to Brodziak, privacy laws will prohibit notification of positive cases and close contact tracing will not be done.
If there is a positive case of COVID-19 in a school, Alberta Health Services (AHS) will not be notifying the school division. If the school division learns of a positive case, it will not be informing classes.
If there is a 10 per cent absenteeism rate, then that will be reported to AHS and a plan will be put in place. The school division does have the authority to close a grade at a school for a short period of time, but will have to file a request with the province to do so.
Conversations around vaccinations will not take place at school, said Brodziak. Staff should not be discussing their views on the topic of vaccinations, and in general the topic of vaccinations should not be discussed. But, he did note that students will be given some information to take home, and what parents do with that information is up to them.
Some parents asked about the type of cleaners and sanitizers being used in schools, to which Brodziak noted the school division purchases its product in bulk, and that product is required to meet standards. He noted that so far, there are no extra funds available to school divisions to purchase cleaning products or sanitizers, and the division will be relying on its budget to do so.
A question regarding 'soft furniture' being returned to classes was also brought up. Items such as rugs to sit on, and furniture that was previously taken out of classes due to protocols in place last year, will be put back into classes for Kindergarten to Grade 3, confirmed Brodziak. Desks can also be arranged differently and tables may be used in some classes, but there will still be an emphasis on distancing.
Schools will work to "find that balance," he said, offering an example of allowing four students to sit at a table for lunch rather than eight.
The plan Brodziak spoke about during the meeting still has to be approved by the board of trustees, which was expected to occur within a short period of time. Schools will not need individual detailed plans heading into the school year.
"Children will be free to hang around, move around," said Brodziak.
Speaking specifically to school buses, Brodziak said there will be strict seating plans in place, but buses will not be loaded back to front, like they were last school year.
When asked about the area's low vaccination rates, Brodziak said he was aware of the numbers, but the province still came forward with its plan. He noted that he had spoken with other neighbouring superintendents and most division plans in the region mirror one another.
When it comes to visitors stopping by schools, such as during sporting events, Brodziak noted that everyone has a personal responsibility to keep others safe, and schools will assume everyone is doing the recommended self screening ahead of visiting a school.
At-home learning
Families will still have the opportunity to take part in at-home learning for the 2021-22 school year, but there is a deadline in place for families to make the decision, which is Aug. 24.
At-home learners will be part of a learning group with an assigned online teacher.
Students from Racette Jr. High, St. Paul Elementary, Glen Avon, Mallaig, Elk Point Elementary, and FG Miller will receive programming from a centralized group of teachers. Students from Ashmont School, New Myrnam, St. Paul Alternate Education Centre, Regional High School, Heinsburg, Two Hills, and Two Hills Mennonite schools will receive programming from their home school.
