When students return to school this fall, they will likely face the usual rhythms and routines of a “normal” school year — including extracurricular activities — since all pandemic restrictions will be lifted.
Holy Trinity Catholic School Division and Prairie South School Division in Moose Jaw issued similar letters on Aug. 10 to parents about what students will experience when the bell rings in September. The main message is that wearing masks, physical distancing, remaining in cohorts and other COVID-19 restrictions used during the previous school year will not be required this year.
The Government of Saskatchewan — via the Ministry of Education — recently released its Safe Schools Plan for the 2021-22 school year that all 28 school divisions must follow.
“COVID-19 restrictions will no longer be in place and the 2021-22 school year will proceed as during pre-pandemic years. Much like other businesses and sectors throughout the province, public health officials have determined that it is safe for schools to resume traditional in-class learning,” the plan said.
Both school divisions will continue to work with and follow the direction of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and local public health agencies, the letters said. They will also continue to keep schools, buildings and buses clean, use good hygiene practices and keep parents informed as situations evolve.
This “normal return” applies to all students, including students under age 12. While students and staff are not required to wear masks, stay in cohorts or maintain physical distancing, both divisions said they would support students and staff who choose to wear a mask.
Holy Trinity indicated in its letter that it plans to use the new provincial framework to help inform its return to school plan for 2021-22. Division administration plans to share that document with families and staff during the week of Aug. 23.
“Our intent is to employ the lessons of 2020-21 in our updated version while maintaining our commitment to the safety of students and staff,” the Holy Trinity letter added.
School administrators will update individual school plans during division meetings in late August. They will then share those plans with their respective school communities before school starts.
For more information, visit www.prairiesouth.ca or www.htcsd.ca.
