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Here is what back to school will look like in the Vernon district

How schools will operate

Dr. Bonnie Henry has given the green light to BC schools to reopen this fall and to have students come back for in-class learning. But many people are wondering what schools will look like, and how they will be operating for the 2020/2021 year.

School District 22 has provided a rundown on the key points of their operation plans and new protocols in the month leading up to the fall term.

BC schools will be in Stage 2 of the Revised Five Stage Framework for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, which means this will be a full return to in-class instruction starting September 8. Schools will be divided into learning groups, or cohorts.

"Elementary will be in their regular division (class) for the vast majority of the day," says SD22 in a press release. "Lunch time/activities will be organized to a maximum of 60 students in a cohort."

For high school students, they will be divided into cohorts of a maximum of 120. SD22 staff are working with the schools to work out how timetables will be adjusted.

There are also some new protocols when it comes to sanitation and health protection.

"The Ministry is providing increased funding for more cleaning supplies and cleaning staff," says the district. "Reusable masks for staff and older students will be available on request."

In terms of mask-wearing, older students are urged to wear them. Busing will be provided for students as well, and a more local back-to-school plan is currently in the works.

"The School District will be meeting with the Vernon Teachers’ Association, Canadian Union of Public Employees and District Parent Advisory Council to develop a local return to school plan," says SD22. "The plan will be submitted to the Ministry by August 21."

For more information regarding back to school, there are a number of resources available. For more information on Stage 2 of the Schools Restart Plan, click here. For a summary of the entire plan, click here. For public health guidance for K-12 school settings, click here.



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