Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board Director of Education Katherine MacIver is elaborating on the board’s Return to Learning Plan.
MacIver tells Quinte News the plan that was released last week has many policies in line with those of the provincial government.
All students in grades one through 12 will have to wear masks at most times indoors.
MacIver says it’s hoped all staff will be vaccinated.
“And if they are not vaccinated, they would be part of a regular testing program. So we’re just in the process of putting that in place for our staff and our visitors, our bus drivers, our trustees, to make sure that we have a process in place where they can share their vaccination status with us.”
MacIver says students who are eligible to be vaccinated will not be included in that program at this time.
Meanwhile, the Facilities Department has been very busy over the last several months looking at long term solutions to improve ventilation in their buildings.
“In addition to that, we also have portable HEPA units that will be in some of our schools and spaces that don’t have full mechanical ventilation just for that added layer of precaution. And that includes all of our kindergarten classrooms because we know that masks, while strongly encouraged in our kindergarten classrooms, are not essential.”
The use of shared materials, such as toys and books, will be permitted and students will also be able to socialize outside of their cohorts, when outdoors during recess.
MacIver is anticipating a full return to sports but they’re not ready to commit to that just yet.
“And right now we’re awaiting some additional information and so we are encouraging outdoor sports to start while we’re waiting for more information about how to ensure student safety during indoor sports and we expect that to come fairly quickly.”
More than 500 students from kindergarten to grade 10 are currently enrolled in virtual school for the upcoming year.
Students return to class Tuesday September 7.
