As school starts, so do new practices
Students are back at school and adapting to new protocols to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.
Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule hosted Bevan Daverne, Golden Hills School Division (GHSD) superintendent and president of the College of Alberta School Superintendents during an online address on Aug. 27.
The two discussed how schools are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and what students and parents should expect throughout the school year.
One of the biggest changes occurs before the student even enters a school or bus. Each morning, the health of the student and their potential exposure to the virus is assessed with a screen tool, a 17-item questionnaire provided by Alberta Health Services (AHS). The tool is available on the GHSD website and can be accessed by using a QR Code with the camera of a mobile device.
“We’re asking our parents, older students and our staff as well, to make the screening tool part of their daily routine in the morning,” said Daverne.
The schools are playing it safe.
“If you have symptoms, stay home,” Daverne added.
Even a student with a runny nose from seasonal allergies will not be permitted in the school. Instead, they are directed to complete the AHS self-assessment tool, and given their symptoms, would be instructed to self-isolate and be recommended to book a COVID-19 test.
“Once the test is negative, you come back to school,” said Daverne.
Other changes to school and its processes, such as increased spacing between desks in the classroom, more frequent cleaning, and staggered building access and movement about the school, have been reported since July.
“It’s a lot of small things, but it adds up to a big shift in safety and wellness and reduced risk,” said Daverne.
Facial masks are mandatory on buses and for students in Grades 4 to 12 in hallways and common areas.
The government of Alberta has provided shipments of personal protective equipment (PPE) to each school board in the province, so every student, teacher and staff member will receive two reusable masks.
Additionally, every teacher and staff member will receive one face shield and every school will receive two contactless thermometers as well as hand sanitizer. The federal government also announced on Aug. 28 that up to $262.84 million would be allocated to Alberta to support a safe return to school.
Masks are not mandatory while students are in the classroom, according to the guidelines from the province. “But there will be some situations if students are working more closely together or facing one another, that then teachers will say, ‘okay, time to put your masks on.’”