Four northern schools are expected to reopen in September. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

school reopenings

Far North schools ready to open with coronavirus restrictions in place

Aug 25, 2020 | 2:41 PM

There are a number of new rules students, parents and teachers will need to follow when classes resume with the Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority (ADEA).

That’s according to a school opening update released Aug. 2, which states during the last several weeks, senior staff have been working to prepare an orderly and safe return to school for all students. The ADEA is in charge of Father Gamache Memorial School in Fond du Lac, Father Megret Elementary School and Father Megret High School in Wollaston Lake, and Father Porte Memorial Denesuline School in Black Lake.

“It is very important to note if your child is feeling unwell, or exhibiting any cold or flu symptoms, they are to remain at home until they feel better,” the release notes. “If your child becomes ill at school, you will be contacted to make arrangements to come to the school to take your child home.”

Other changes include temperature checks for all students prior to entering the school at the start of each day, as well as parents and caregivers will be asked to drop off and pick up their students as much as possible to reduce the number of children requiring busing. Temperatures checks will also be required prior to a student entering a bus.

Parents and caregivers will not be permitted to enter the school with the exception of pre-arranged meetings with the principal, staff or for emergency purposes. Additional social distancing and hygiene practices will be will be in effect when school begins.

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“Classrooms will have desks arranged with as much distancing as possible between students desks,” the release adds. “To reduce multiple use of desks and tables by numerous classes, students will stay in one classroom as much as possible with specialty or subject teachers coming into the classroom to teach.”

Students will also be asked to sanitize their hands upon entering, exiting and re-entering the building, cleaning procedures will be in place for high contact areas, and recess and other breaks will be staggered to minimize the number of students moving through the hallways at any given time.

“If your child has significant learning challenges that will make the ability to social distance and practice appropriate hygiene difficult, your school will be in contact with you regarding programming,” the release stated. “In some cases, the child will receive therapy services at the school for designated periods of time, then return home to be under the supervision of a parent or caregiver.”

larongeNOW reached out to Gerry Guillet for an interview, but didn’t hear back by publishing.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno