Elementary and secondary school students in the Kamloops-Thompson School District will return to school either on Thursday, September 10 or Friday, September 11.
That is according to a letter sent out to parents this week, which goes on to say the district has been finalizing its re-start plan. That plan will be forwarded to the province this week, and it will be made public later this month, on August 26.
Schools will begin communicating specific schedules to parents and guardians on September 1, and teachers and support staff will return to school after the Labour Day Weekend for orientation and training, set to happen on September 8 and 9.
“The hybrid model of in-class instruction and remote learning that was offered in June will not be available this fall. Parents have the option to send children to in-class instruction or they can choose Online and Distributed Learning,” noted the letter from Assistant Superintendents Bill Hamblett and Trish Smillie. “Online and Distributed Learning provides the BC Curriculum to students with a BC certified teacher in an online format.”
“A third option is homeschooling, which is usually provided by a family member and this does not provide an option for a BC Certificate of Graduation or a ‘Dogwood Diploma’.”
Parents considering an online model or homeschooling are also told to reach out to their school principal after August 31. Parents will also need to re-apply for a seat in a School of Choice, or re-register in their neighbourhood school, if they want their kids to go back in the future.
“Parents of children with complex medical conditions or underlying risk factors are being directed to consult with their health care provider to determine their child’s level of risk regarding a return to school,” added the letter. “Protective self-isolation is only recommended for children who are severely immunocompromised on a case-by-case basis.”
As announced by the province this week, masks will be mandatory for staff, middle and secondary students in high traffic areas like buses and in common areas like hallways or anytime outside their learning group whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained.
SD73 says more information is available online on the Parents’ Resource Page, while there will also be regular updates to parents and guardians through email. Questions can also be forwarded returntoschoolFAQ@sd73.bc.ca.
