Sask. school divisions expected to release plans week of Aug. 23

Families in Saskatchewan may only have a week or so to prepare for back-to-school this year.

School divisions in Regina say they expect to release their plans for a return to the classroom by the end of next week, while Saskatoon divisions are hoping to have plans in the hands of parents and students by the end of this week or early next week.

Students are expected to be back in the classroom on Sept. 1, 2021.

The 2021-22 Safe Schools Plan, released by the provincial government earlier this month, outlines a return to school much like before the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks, cohorts and distancing are not required for students in the plan and regular activities are said to be approved for resumption, including band, choir, drama and dance classes, sports and fitness, extra-curriculars and field trips.

Regina Public Schools’ (RPS) Terry Lazarou said no new information is available since an update on Aug. 3 that informed parents and students that no decisions have been made by the division relating to physical distancing or mask use in schools.

“While the school division will continue to take the direction of Regina Public Health to keep students and staff safe, senior administration, as well as school principals and administrators will create return to school plans with the safety and health of students and staff in mind,” the RPS information statement reads.

RPS said their return to school plan will “rely on the expertise of public health experts and will build on the foundation of enhanced cleaning protocols, better ventilation and other public health measures that were used in schools and buildings in the previous school year.”

The Regina Catholic School Division plans to use the new provincial framework to update its return to school plan for the upcoming school year.

“Our intent is to employ the lessons of 2020-21 in our updated version while maintaining our commitment to the safety of students and staff,” a statement on their website reads.

“Principals and vice-principals will update individual school plans as part of our meetings in late August. Those plans will be shared with school communities prior to the start of the school year. ”

RPS expects to release its plan the week of Aug. 23, 2021, with the RCSD plan coming later in the week.

In Saskatoon, plans might be released a little earlier.

Veronica Baker, communications and marketing manager for Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS), says they are working to finalize their plans for September.

“We are receiving direction from our local public health officials on plans for school operations that are supportive of student learning and protect the health of students and staff members. As we have done throughout the pandemic, our plans will adapt as necessary.”

Communications consultant Derrick Kunz with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools division says their plans will be developed off the recommendations of local medical experts.

“We’re consulting with local medical health officers, as we have done throughout the pandemic, for advice and guidance on how to keep students and staff safe,” Kunz said in an email. “As always, as things change, we’ll respond and adapt.”

Both SPS and GSCS said their plans will be released late this week or early the week of Aug. 23.