Many boards continue to wait as the province has yet to release their plan for the upcoming school year.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce previously said the plan would be released in July, but did not clarify a specific date.
“While we know a lot about the high school model already, we know that the high school students will have to be on a quadmester,” explains Thunder Bay District Catholic School Board Superintendent Allison Sargent. “The ministry isn’t really providing much direction on cohorting, it looks like we’re going to have to follow any cohorting restrictions. So we’re just waiting for restrictions involving physical distancing, masking, handwashing, we’re just waiting for some of the guidelines regarding that, and then we’ll be good to go.”
Sargent noted the board and all it’s staff will be ready for a safe experience in September, regardless of restrictions.
“The creativity they had to have to ensure students still had meaningful learning experiences, despite the physical distancing, despite all the handwashing that had to be done, all the restrictions that had to be in place, our entire staff really rose to the occasion, we’re really proud of them,” says Sargent. “The perseverance they had to endure this year was just unbelievable. They were very determined. Even our students that had to learn at home this year, they still were able to participate in an education, a little bit different than they were used to, but our students rose to the occasion as well.”
Sargent stressed they will follow the decisions and guidance of public health, and that students and staff will be safe because of it.
