The province’s top doctor is really pleased with the reports on how school has gone so far since kids were allowed back in the classroom in a limited capacity.
Dr Bonnie Henry says we knew it was going to be challenging and it has not been perfect, but we’re figuring it out and the measured way that it’s been done has made it easier for everyone to adapt.
“As we did with the restaurant orders and guidelines we had in place that some things just are not workable and you need to find a better way to do them. So I think it’s been really helpful for that. And it takes that sort of fear sense away both for the staff, the educators and the children that a school environment can be safe.”
“I’ve had lots of really cool notes from happy children who’ve gone back and at least been able to see their friends and I think the measured way we’ve done it has made it easier for everybody to learn how to adapt.”
Henry says it is learning some really important things that are helping to prepare for the fall semester.
Here in Kamloops, the Chair of the School District 73 Board says it is seeing fairly strong attendance numbers in the district.
Kathleen Karpuk says things have gone fairly smoothly up to this point. “Obviously there’s the occasional hiccup which we’re working our way through. But, all in all it’s been quite good. We’ve had good uptake for kids coming back into school considering that it is the last month of the school year. And so, we’re pleased with how it’s going.”
“Higher attendance for elementary school students which isn’t surprising. And when we have a maximum of 50 per cent of kids allowed to be in an elementary school at any time and we’re seeing some schools that had 46 per cent of students attend.”
Karpuk says it is also learning some valuable lessons that can be carried into the fall. “It’s definitely been a good learning opportunity for the district. We’ve put a lot of planning into how we brought students back for this month. It gives us a really good idea of things we’re going to need to consider for September. We don’t know at this time what September is going to look like because we’re still waiting on what numbers are going to be through the summer. We may be able to return back to mostly normal, we may see a second wave. So, we don’t know exactly what September is going to look like.”
Karpuk says it is planning multiple scenarios and will be making sure that the health and safety of staff and students remains of the highest priority.
