Students, teachers adjusting well to changes at Moose Jaw school

After a couple of weeks at school, students and teachers are adjusting well at one Moose Jaw school.

Chantie Champigny-Lucyk, the vice-principal of Palliser Heights School, is happy with how everyone has been adjusting to the new COVID-19 prevention rules and regulations.

“We’re feeling all right. We almost have business as usual in our building. Kids are back at school and learning,” she said.

Her school has multiple different measures in place. Lunch and recess are at staggered times, and students must stay in small groups. On top of that, masks are mandatory for kids in the fourth grade and above.

Even with these restrictions in a K-8 school with many young students, which also happens to be the biggest school in Moose Jaw, she’s proud of how kids and staff have responded.

“All the planning, the walkthroughs and the prep we did with teachers really paid off. The kids know exactly what they’re going to do, they know where they have to go and what door to use. It’s really slick,” she explained.

There was one hiccup, however.

“It has been really smooth, but I think getting used to the masks took kids a while. Parents did a good job of getting the kids ready in the summer,” she said.

Parents and students are also confident about the return. The Prairie South School Division did hire new teachers for online classes, but Champigny-Lucyk said at her school, few took the option.

“We don’t have a bunch of parents who have chosen to keep their kids at home. We have almost our full student body here in the building,” she said.

While she is glad to be back at school, there is one thing she’s missing quite a bit.

“I’m looking forward to extracurriculars being allowed again. I want to coach, I want volleyball to start, I want to be ready for basketball season,” she concluded.