The Northland School Division (NSD) released its re-entry plan for its 20 schools across Northern Alberta.
On July 21, Alberta announced the resumption of in-person classes under Scenario 1.
Alberta reveals COVID-19 Back-To-School strategy
A comprehensive guide from the NSD is available on their website.
The NSD also released information for parents and guardians.
Re-Entry Plan
Robin Guild, NSD Board Chair said they value their partnerships.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank our committee of principals, directors and senior administration for putting together a plan that outlines additional health measures and multiple options to support in-person and at-home learning. This year will be no different and it is more important now, more than
ever, that our families and schools work together to support our students and to model healthy practices.”
Guild thanked Education Minister Adriana LaGrange and Dr Deena Hinshaw for their guidance with implementing additional health measures.
NSD School Superintendent Dr Nancy Spencer-Poitras said schools will resume on Sept 8-11, 2020.
She said they will use staggered entry, which they used in prior years for pre-kindergarten children, for all students to learn
“We want our students to be able to have the opportunity with smaller numbers to work with their teachers and learn the protocols, before we have all of the students returning.”
Staggered entry begins in the first week and schools will notify parents when their child will start attending classes in the first week.
Spencer-Poitras said children in preschool and kindergarten will have reduced classes per week.
“It’s a little harder for them, if they do have to wear masks. That will also reduce our numbers on buses as well.”
Mask wearing is not mandatory for that age group, according to the government of Alberta and the NSD.
Mask wearing on buses is a step the NSD board took that went beyond the province’s mandate.
“It’s quite a bit harder to do social distancing on a bus, so our Board felt that they needed to mandate [masks] for Kindergarten all the way up to Grade 12.”
Spencer-Poitras said Alberta purchased two reusable masks for every student, teacher, and staff member in the NSD.
Teachers will also receive a visor or shields, and schools shall receive hand sanitizing gel and dispensers.
“Our Board has also purchased extra masks for the teachers. We have enough that teachers and school staff will have five reusable masks each, so they have a whole week’s worth.”
She also said that through a partnership with the Alberta Teachers Association, teachers will receive transparent masks.
These will assist younger students as they learn annunciation and pronunciation.
- Mandatory use of masks Kindergarten to Grade 12 students on buses
- Mandatory use of masks for all staff and students Grades 4-12, highly recommended for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students
- Enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols
- Daily screening requirements
- Strict stay-at-home guidelines for individuals who feel unwell or have symptoms related to COVID-19
The NSD said they will enforce measures and have cohort and physical distancing strategies.
Spencer-Poitras said they want to ensure the transition back to school is smooth.
“For families not yet ready to send their child to school, we are offering an at-home learning option. Both the in-school and at-home learning options allow students to stay connected to their school throughout their learning.”
Parents and guardians may take a survey on the NSD website to support the re-entry plan.
Questions address the comfort level with sending their child back to school or back on the school bus with the added measures and choosing the at-home learning option.
A total of 521 students attend six NSD schools across the region’s rural hamlets, First Nations communities, and Métis settlements.
NSD mental health resources are also available on their website.
