Students, teachers and parents on school reopening
Students, teachers and parents on school reopening
By Ysh Cabana
The Philippine Reporter
“Are we ready yet?” Many students, teachers and parents ask as fall return to classroom plans are being made across Canada even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
“I am excited with what the challenging semester may hold,” said Chi-Yan Megan Lee of University of Alberta. Originally from Penticton, BC, Lee said she still looks forward to the online events and learning new communication skills. In many school districts, educators are busy preparing for a new school year that will certainly look like no other, some parents balk at the back-to-school guidelines and concerned about the risk to have their children participate in a demonstration of class size without physical distancing.
Whether virtual, in-person or hybridized approach where different cohorts would attend classes at different times, there are many more questions than answers about the implementation details of health and safety measures in the education front.
When will school reopen?
Top pediatricians and child psychologists at the Toronto SickKids Hospital agree that children need to be in school, despite the risk from an anticipated second wave of infections after most schools re-open on September 8.
In July, the hospital published a 34-page guide on school reopening detailing that the ability of the public school system to effectively carry out its mission will depend in part on the resources made available to the schools.
SickKids is also leading a research study, taking place August 19 to 20, that will look at the effects of the recommendations and other health and safety measures
How big of a class size?
An online petition directed at Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Premier Doug Ford has garnered more than 200,000 signatures as of mid-August, and called the current framework ‘reckless’ and ‘disturbing.’
“The Ontario government’s ‘plan’ for re-opening schools essentially amounts, in most elementary and middle school grades, to sending 30 students and a teacher back into a room for 6 hours/day with poor to no ventilation and probably only enough space for 30 cm of distancing between desks,” the petition, which was titled “Ontario Demands Better: Reduce Class Sizes to Keep Schools and Communities Safe,” read.
“We have evidence from countries and regions that went back to school in the spring to show that it can be done safely, without a surge in cases. The evidence suggests that the way to do this (along with other measures) is small class sizes.” For Manitoba teacher Aurora (not her real name), it won’t be a return to what was once considered normal. Everything depends on the funds available for spending on safety barriers such as Plexiglas, she told The Philippine Reporter, or even digital devices and home internet access.
“[I teach] 15-20 students. Perhaps the number will be reduced to 8-10 per class. I teach Grades 9 and 10 so two sets per grade level,” said Aurora, who has been teaching for four years in a First Nations band community.
“Honestly, I’m scared because the last time our students handed in their exams for last term they were not wearing masks.”
To mask or not to mask?
Students will pack lunch and mask following the guidance of federal Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam. The mask rules will apply to students from Grades 4 to 12, high school students — and people in vocational training or adult education programs — in common areas, including school transportation. Masks will be optional for younger students.
But, once inside the classroom, the mask rule will not apply. It will not be mandatory for teachers or students during class as well.
The Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines for school administrators recommend that students over the age of 10 wear masks, that students and teachers stay two metres apart whenever possible, and that students and teachers be grouped together to reduce the number of people they come into close contact with.
Across Canada, the following guidelines and requirements have been announced for the new school year:
• Ontario: Masks required for children in Grades 4 to 12.
• Alberta: Masks required for children in Grades 4 to 12 when in hallways, common areas, or working closely with others.
• Nova Scotia: Mandatory for high schools students in hallways, common areas and on school buses, but not in class.
• Quebec: Students from Grade 5 and up will have to wear masks in hallways, common areas and on school buses, but not in class.
• Northwest Territories: Students may be asked to wear masks in situations where physical distancing is not possible.
• Saskatchewan: The province has not made masks compulsory, but some school boards are strongly recommending them.
Alberta mother Rhose Harris-Galia, who works as a frontline nurse in the province, puts it succinctly.
“Parents are basically made to choose if they want their kids to learn or risk them getting sick. My kids know how to wear a mask and how to be careful. At this point, all I can do is hope for the best,” said Harris-Galia.
“Who is rich enough to keep their kids home, privately tutored, so that they can work? Those who cannot afford a tutor have no choice if they want the kids to maintain an educational standard.“
Many jurisdictions are telling staff and students (with help from parents or caregivers) to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms daily, and stay home or seek medical attention if sick.
In a CBC interview, epidemiologist Raywat Deonandan said preventing the virus from spreading through community transmission is still a cause for concern.
“The single best way to make schools safe is by driving the caseload in the community as low as possible.”
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