It was a first day of school like no other.
Instead of hordes of children, running to join their friends in the school yard on their first day back to class, students at Simcoe County District School Board elementary schools were met by teachers and administrators wearing masks and face shields, and directed to the appropriate entrance.
There was social distancing, as parents accompanied their children to Alcona Glen Public School in Innisfil, and smaller than usual numbers, as the school board adopted a staggered start to class.
Not only did some families opt for at-home remote learning, families were asked to return to school based on last name – A to G on Tuesday; H to O on Wednesday, with a full return of the student body on Thursday.
There was a mix of excitement and anxiety, on Tuesday morning.
“I dropped two of my kids off today. I have three that start Thursday,” said Jennifer Richardson, who operates a day care. “They’re ready to be back, excited to be back. They need the routine.”
At the same time, she said, everyone is “anxious” about the heightened risk of COVID-19.
In addition to the staggered start, schools are taking other steps to ensure the safety of students and staff. There are enhanced safety protocols and ‘cohorting,’ to ensure classrooms don’t mix. Recess and classes are time-tabled “to limit interactions between classes,” according to the school board, and the libraries will remain closed.
Lunches will be eaten in the classroom, outdoor learning is encouraged, and regularly-touched surfaces will be sanitized frequently.
All staff are mandated to wear masks, and students in Grades 4 and up. Younger children, in grades K to 3, are encouraged to wear masks, although it is not required.
“We’ve done everything we can do,” said Andrew Hughes, Vice Principal, as he checked students in and directed them to their teachers. Parents were asked to leave as soon as their children were on their way.
Most arrived with a good idea of where to go, to get to class, and what to expect.
“We’ve done a lot of communicating, so families came with maps and knew where to enter,” said Mrs. Valera, helping to direct students and parents.
“At the end, we just have to do whatever is best to make sure they’re safe,” said Tara Filteau, who has one child in Grade 1, and another going into Grade 5. “We’ll find out at the end of the day how everything went.”
Brayden, going into Grade 1, watched the activity with his mom, Jenn. “He starts tomorrow,” she explained. “We’re here to get a feel for it.”
And how did Brayden feel about the start of school?
“Kinda nervous,” he said.
“He’d rather stay at home,” Mom admitted.
Secondary schools within the public board are also planning a staggered start to the school year – with Grade 9 orientation on Tuesday, Grade 10s attending on Wednesday and all high school students returning to class on Thursday, to a quadmester system that reduces the number of subjects studied from four to two.
The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has delayed its staggered start until Sept. 10, with students in SK to Grade 3 coming to class on Thursday, and adding Grades 4-6 on Sept. 11, and all students on Sept. 14..
Remote learning is expected to begin Sept. 14 in the Catholic School Board, Sept. 21 within the SCDSB.
