Provincial Back-to-school Plans for 2021

[ilovetotravel1977]

What is your province doing for back to school and restrictions?

Nova Scotia is announcing ours today at a 3pm briefing.

 

[pigletto]

Wow .. it’s been a year since our last mega thread on this topic! Sometimes it shocks me still how long this has been going on.

We are in Ontario and I have a student going into the 12th grade. As far as I know the plan is to resume all in person learning and most activities and sports etc. There is still an option to learn from home if a family needs that option but otherwise a full return is expected. There will be mandatory masking and other public health safety measures as well. I don’t know the plans for elementary grades.

This summer my 17 year old got a job and his drivers license. It was like he turned into a different person. Outgoing , cheerful, responsible. I was getting worried about how isolated and anxious he was last year. I think this pandemic has robbed a lot of kids of the opportunity to mature and progress. It’s really nice to see him happier and more confident. I hope it won’t be necessary to keep them out of school this winter.

 

[quandrea]

Wow .. it’s been a year since our last mega thread on this topic! Sometimes it shocks me still how long this has been going on.

We are in Ontario and I have a student going into the 12th grade. As far as I know the plan is to resume all in person learning and most activities and sports etc. There is still an option to learn from home if a family needs that option but otherwise a full return is expected. There will be mandatory masking and other public health safety measures as well. I don’t know the plans for elementary grades.

This summer my 17 year old got a job and his drivers license. It was like he turned into a different person. Outgoing , cheerful, responsible. I was getting worried about how isolated and anxious he was last year. I think this pandemic has robbed a lot of kids of the opportunity to mature and progress. It’s really nice to see him happier and more confident. I hope it won’t be necessary to keep them out of school this winter.

I had the same experience with my 17 yo. She is back at her high performance swimming. It has done wonders for her. Her drivers license won’t come until October (hopefully). She as chosen online learning. She prefers it and only has one semester left at a new school. Just seemed easier.

 

[Disneylover99]

Elementary students in Ontario have the option to go back full time or stay online. Masks mandatory for all grades beginning in grade 1. Masks in Kindergarten optional.

Boards have the right to make their own rules as well though because in The Toronto District School Board, information has come out that masks in Kindergarten are mandatory.

 

[wdwmom3]

I think for elementary kids in Ontario it’s going to be very similar to last year.

 

[gskywalker]

We gave up on the plans for schools. We have tried to plan our lives around them for the last couple of years and determined it is a lost cause. We are going to Disney this upcoming weekend and don't care what happens with our kids school when we get back. If the negative tests/vaccinations are enough for them to return to school right away, great, if they have to wait some time and do school online, great.

 

[bcwife76]

BC was planning for a nearly normal return. Now that Delta is surging that is just not possible. Looks like they are revealing a revised plan tomorrow (Tuesday).

 

[damo]

Kindies in Halton have to wear masks too. I'm busy making some good 3 ply ones that will stay on for my new little JKer.

 

[Trinity88]

In our school district (Ontario), high schools are back to semesters (was quadmesters last year) with 4 courses a semester. The only difference from "normal times" is that they will do 2 courses one week, then 2 courses the next week, alternating all semester. This is to keep them from moving around the school too much. Lunch in between the 2 classes, cafeteria/library seating fully open, most extra curricular activities back.

Elementary will be cohorts still (they move in the same group throughout the school and recess), masked, distanced as much as possible.

My 15 year old does a Glee type group outside of school and they are not resuming in Sept - we're waiting to hear if singing will be allowed. Competitive dance for my 10 year old is back and unmasked as long as they stay 6 ft apart. Masked outside of the dance rooms.

 

[pigletto]

BC was planning for a nearly normal return. Now that Delta is surging that is just not possible. Looks like they are revealing a revised plan tomorrow (Tuesday).

We haven’t heard anything from the province since early in the month but I wouldn’t be surprised if plans changed for the delta variant.

I know one of our Science Advisory Panel Dr’s resigned today alleging that there is concerning modelling that isn’t being released because of political interference. That doesn’t sound good for the Fall and Winter . The school my sister works in in Florida is being hit HARD with delta . I’m concerned it will be the same here for our unvaccinated under 12 group.

 

[sweethannah]

We haven’t heard anything from the province since early in the month but I wouldn’t be surprised if plans changed for the delta variant.

I know one of our Science Advisory Panel Dr’s resigned today alleging that there is concerning modelling that isn’t being released because of political interference. That doesn’t sound good for the Fall and Winter . The school my sister works in in Florida is being hit HARD with delta . I’m concerned it will be the same here for our unvaccinated under 12 group.

BC was planning for a nearly normal return. Now that Delta is surging that is just not possible. Looks like they are revealing a revised plan tomorrow (Tuesday).

I'm anxious to hear what BCs back to school plan looks like. I have a 17 year old going into Grade 12. Last year our district ran with cohorts and 'quadmesters' as well ( 2 classes per semester x 4 ) versus the 8 class/3 semester system we previously implemented in our district. I'm hoping we'll go back to a hybrid, modelled after other districts which is a 4 course per semester(2) system. I can't see how it's practical or safe for HS kids to be hopping from classroom to classroom 5x a day without cleaning time between.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

NOVA SCOTIA

In September, students, families and staff can expect:

• full in-class learning with the associated academic, social and emotional supports
• continued use of outdoor learning, small-group instruction, and enhanced use of technology
• full resumption of music classes, band, sports, use of cafeterias, lockers and cubbies, extra-curricular activities and community use of gyms, following core public health measures
• ongoing inspections and maintenance of school ventilation systems
• school counsellors, SchoolsPlus staff, and others will continue to provide timely and appropriate mental health supports to students
• schools will create supportive environments for those who choose to wear a mask once the province enters Phase 5 (Sept 15)
• non-essential visitors will be permitted (following all safety protocols), although virtual meetings and visits are still encouraged
• parents and guardians of pre-primary and Primary students will be able to visit schools on their child’s first day

The kids will need to still wear masks from the first day of school (Sept 7) to Phase 5 (Sept 15).

My daughter is looking forward to not having to wear a mask all day as her eczema on her face really flared up with mask use, especially on her eyelids (so strange!).

 

[suse66]

We doing hybrid learning here in York Region. As a kindergarten educator, I can tell you this is the worst possible idea. I simply can't see how we are supposed to teach online and face to face at the same time.

 

[BlancheNeige7]

We doing hybrid learning here in York Region. As a kindergarten educator, I can tell you this is the worst possible idea. I simply can't see how we are supposed to teach online and face to face at the same time.

Oh my! Those are two different jobs. I was partially hybrid high school last year. Took me a while to accept that my lessons would not be to my standards... not enough hours/training/energy to do both well.

I am absolutely stunned that some boards are still pushing this model.

 

[mort1331]

We doing hybrid learning here in York Region. As a kindergarten educator, I can tell you this is the worst possible idea. I simply can't see how we are supposed to teach online and face to face at the same time.

Catholic board right?? Mine are in public and im on the school council and as far as I know we not doing that. We need to pick one and stick to that for the year,,no switching.
On another note,,my cousin teaches in NS and half my family is there,,we were seriously thinking of sending our girls there for the year.

 

[suse66]

Oh my! Those are two different jobs. I was partially hybrid high school last year. Took me a while to accept that my lessons would not be to my standards... not enough hours/training/energy to do both well.

I am absolutely stunned that some boards are still pushing this model.

So am I. I have been in contact with my union as have many of my colleagues.

Catholic board right?? Mine are in public and im on the school council and as far as I know we not doing that. We need to pick one and stick to that for the year,,no switching.
On another note,,my cousin teaches in NS and half my family is there,,we were seriously thinking of sending our girls there for the year.

No, I work for the public board. York Catholic did hybrid last year and is not doing it again this year. Unfortunately, YRDSB is still going ahead with it.

https://www2.yrdsb.ca/about-us/covid-19/2021-2022-school-year

 

[mort1331]

Ughh,,,i havent heard and that sucks,,,hatd for all sides

 

[suse66]

Ughh,,,i havent heard and that sucks,,,hatd for all sides

It's impossible......does a disservice to both students and staff. I predict many of us out on stress leave.

 

[Dznefn]

Calgary public- they are back to school similar to last year. Masks (at least until the end of Sept, although I see them extending it) and no outside visitors into the schools including volunteers. Class cohorts for grade 6 and under. I personally was relieved when they said masks were required in school even though the province doesn't care if people are masked anymore.

 

[Aladora]

BC set out their back to school plan for this year.

The updated provincial COVID-19 communicable disease guidelines for K-12 schools in the 2021-22 school year include, but are not limited to, the following changes:

• The mask mandate in place at the end of the 2020-21 school year will stay in place to start this school year. All K-12 staff visitors, and students in grades 4 to 12 will be required to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas of the school and on school buses. Students in kindergarten to Grade 3 will be strongly encouraged to wear masks.
• The mask guidance will also be supported by a provincial health order on mask wearing.
• Cohorts, also known as learning groups, are no longer recommended by public health as a COVID-19 mitigation measure and will not be used.
• Local public health orders may be put in place for entire regions or communities, including schools. For schools, the local medical health officer may issue a recommendation for an individual school, a grouping of schools, a school district, all schools within the health authority region or some combination thereof, to implement specific additional health and safety measures during times of elevated risk.
• Any additional regional measures put in place by local medical health officers are likely to be similar to those in place during the 2020-21 school year, and may include:
  • limits on gatherings and events;
  • changing room arrangements or incorporating more activities that maximize space between people and reduce face-to-face contact; and
  • limiting visitors.
• The following cleaning frequency guidelines must be adhered to when cleaning and disinfecting schools:
  • General cleaning of the premises, and cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, at least once in a 24-hour period and when visibly dirty.
• Extracurricular activities are allowed in line with any local, regional, provincial or federal health orders in the community.
• Although physical distancing of two metres is no longer a recommended public health measure for the K-12 setting, there are strategies that schools can continue to use to create space between people and to support students and staff going back to school. Examples include:
  • reminding students and staff about respecting others personal space, and using visual supports, signage, prompts, video modelling, etc., as necessary;
  • using available space to spread people out where possible for gatherings and events;
  • taking students outside more often, where and when possible; and
  • managing flow of people in common areas, including hallways and around lockers, to minimize crowding and allow for ease of people passing through.
• Food programs (e.g., meal programs, cafeterias and fundraisers) can proceed under normal and regular operation.
• Water fountain use will no longer be restricted.
• Outdoor classes will still be encouraged, based on their health and learning benefits.

Public health continues to support the BC Centre for Disease Control’s current health and safety guidelines for child care settings.

• The child care guidance recommends staff should wear non-medical masks when interacting with adults in indoor areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Children may wear a mask based on personal or family choice. However, infants under two years old should not wear masks, as it may make it difficult for them to breathe.

The government also announced that they are bringing back mask requirements for all indoor public spaces for everyone ages 12+ starting tomorrow.

The big announcement yesterday was the proof of vaccination card.

By order of the PHO, proof of vaccination will be required to access some events, services and businesses. Starting September 13, you must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. By October 24, you must be fully vaccinated.

The requirement applies to all people born in 2009 or earlier (12+) and covers:

• Indoor ticketed concerts, theatre, dance, symphony and sporting events
• Indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants, pubs and bars
• Nightclubs and casinos
• Movie theatres
• Gyms, pools and recreation facilities
  • Does not include youth recreational sport
• Indoor high intensity group exercise
• Indoor organized gatherings like weddings, parties, conferences, meetings and workshops
• Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities like pottery and art
  • Does not include K to 12 school and before and after school programs
• Post-secondary on-campus student housing

Events, businesses and services will ask to see your proof of vaccination and valid government ID.

The requirement is in place until January 31, 2022, subject to extension.