Regina schools extend remote learning until late April

Students at Regina schools will have to put up with online classes for a while longer.

The Regina Catholic School Division and Regina Public Schools announced Thursday that schools will remain at Level 4 of their COVID-19 safety plans until April 23.

The Catholic division said it plans to return to Level 3 (hybrid learning) at Michael A. Riffel, Archbishop M.C. O’Neill, Miller Comprehensive and Dr. Martin LeBoldus high schools and Level 2 (face-to-face learning with masks) at all other schools on April 26.

“We are committed to providing the best education possible under these circumstances,” the division said in a media release. “We are committed to working with families and students to address any challenges resulting from this extension.”

The public division said all of its pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 students also will resume in-class learning on April 26.

“This continuation of temporary remote learning is the most prudent and proactive step we can make to minimize the very real COVID-19 health risk to our students, staff, their families and to our Regina communities,” Greg Enion, director of education for Regina Public Schools, said in a media release.

The public division said the majority of staff will continue to have the option to work from home, but schools will remain open for staff.

“During this extended period, some school-based staff who are not directly involved in teaching students will be tasked with identifying, reaching out and engaging with students who have been challenged by remote learning,” the division said.

Luther College High School has made a similar decision, extending online learning until April 30.

“In the very unlikely event that the government eases Regina restrictions before April 30, we will consider an earlier return date for on-campus learning in light of what is safest and best for our students,” Luther principal Dr. Mark Anderson said in a statement posted on the school’s website.

The Prairie Valley School Division also extended remote learning until April 23.

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Patrick Maze called on the province to move all schools in Saskatchewan to Level 4 on Wednesday.

Maze is proposing schools have students away from school from April 12 to April 23 following the upcoming week-long break.

“There is a steady increase of COVID-19 cases in schools across the province,” Maze said in a news release.

“This two-week period will serve as a buffer to help protect students, teachers and ultimately our communities in the event people travel or gather over the break.”

The STF said 40 per cent of youth are asymptomatic and variants of concern are up to 70 per cent more transmissible than the original strain of COVID-19 that entered the province.

There have been 117 cases reported at 55 Regina schools since March 21.

Regina Public Schools reported the most-recent cases, with one each at Glen Elm Community School and Ruth M. Buck School.