Students head back to school on Tuesday, Sept. 7 while school zones also come back into effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every school day. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

BACK TO SCHOOL

Classes resume for local students as schools take another step towards normal

Sep 7, 2021 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — It’s the most wonderful time of the year for parents, teachers and students.

Classes resume across the region with students returning for a partial day on Tuesday, Sept. 7 before in-class learning begins again, full time on Wednesday.

Scott Saywell, SD68 superintendent, told NanaimoNewsNOW students can expect a similar pandemic-era environment compared to the end of last the school year, with any new changes and new activities done gradually over time.

“We are going to be going into the school year cautiously and respecting student and staff comfort levels. We’ll make gradual transitions into those areas where we have a little more flexibility like large gatherings, school-wide assemblies.”

Masks remain mandatory for students in grades four through 12, inside school buildings and on school buses. All staff at SD68 must also wear a face covering at work, while masks are recommended for students in kindergarten to grade three.

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Daily health checks will also remain with those not feeling well encouraged to remain home.

Unlike the 2020/21 school year, students will not operate in cohorts and the two metre physical distancing requirement will also not be in place. Extra-curricular activities such as sports and clubs will resume.

Saywell said distribution and uptake of the vaccine is a game changer for a return to school in 2021, however students will not be asked about their vaccine status.

He added SD68 will meet the provincial guidelines and work closely with authorities to determine if any additional, regional measures are needed related to room configurations and a limitation on events or school visitors.

“Boards of education, while they have authority over these things, typically take their direction from the provincial health officer, the ministry of education as well as our own medical health officer.”

A Vancouver Island Rapid Response Team for COVID-19, headed by SD68 officials, will continue their operations through at least December, assisting other Island Health-based school districts navigate COVID-19 exposures and outbreaks.

Saywell said a big focus for the group, the district and school staff in the new year will be providing mental health supports to ensure a return to school is the best possible experience.

“There’s no substitution for good teaching, teaching that brings the best out of students such that they succeed at levels that not even they thought was possible. We all know the magic that happens in a classroom when you see a teacher facilitate some hotly contested topic, those are really special moments in a classroom.”

As students return to class, lower speed limits return to the roads outside.

Beginning Tuesday and every school day between 8 a.m and 5 p.m., the 30 kilometre per hour speed limits will be in effect.

“We’re asking the drivers to please have your head on a swivel,” Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW. “It’s an exciting time for kids, they sometimes don’t follow the rules and they don’t cross at the crosswalks so please be slow and be prepared to act accordingly.”

O’Brien said traditionally, the worst offenders are parents of school aged kids.

“What we see is parents dropping their kids off and they start on their day but they forget they’re still in a school zone and they have to keep their speeds down.”

The fine for speeding in a school zone ranges from $196 to $253.

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alex.rawnsley@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley