The Bluewater District School Board continues to prepare to deliver a variety of different learning models to students in September as it awaits further direction from the Ontario government.
The board's Director of Education Lori Wilder published an update Thursday on return to school planning for September. She says the Ministry of Education has informed the Bluewater District School Board it will be making an announcement the week of August 4 about which return to school model boards in Ontario will be adopting.
It may even come sooner. Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said in a press conference Thursday an announcement could happen as soon as next week on what the resumption of school will look like.
Three learning models are being considered by the province: a conventional return to classrooms with enhanced public health protocols in place, at-home remote learning or an adapted model that combines some in-class and some online instruction.
Wilder says the Bluewater District School Board's planning team has been working extremely hard over the past several weeks to develop a comprehensive plan that will meet all of the expectations in all three models provided by the Minister of Education.
“While the decision on which model we must follow will be made at the provincial level, our board has some flexibility in how we plan for that model. Following the ministry announcement, we will be communicating with our families and communities with details on how the provincially determined model will look locally in our schools,” Wilder says.
The Bluewater District School Board recently conducted a “Return to School” survey that garnered nearly 7,000 responses to help inform its planning.
“Most of those respondents were parents and they would definitely like students to be able to return to school safely in September. That's what came out the most,” Wilder says. “Some other emerging themes that came out of the survey were concerning cleaning protocols, physical distancing and movement within schools, as well as opportunities for safe outdoor time/play, personal protective equipment, and teaching students proper hand hygiene.”
Wilder notes the board has been working closely with local public health officials to ensure it has the necessary information to support the health and safety of students and staff.
The Bluewater District School Board will soon launch a new “return to school” section on its website to outline details on its plan for September.
“With so much uncertainty still in the air, I am keenly aware of the level of difficulty and stress faced by our families, who are anxious to plan for September,” Wilder adds. “No matter what direction the provincial government decides to take for returning to school, we will be ready for every eventuality and will be prepared to support the health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and families every step of the way.”