The Light of Christ Catholic School Division will be phasing out restrictions related to COVID-19 following the province's announcement earlier this week. (Submitted/Light of Christ Catholic Schools)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Slow open

Light of Christ schools to follow province, lift restrictions

Feb 11, 2022 | 12:34 PM

The Light of Christ Catholic School Division (LOCCSD) is lifting several COVID-19 measures, keeping in line with the province’s Re-Opening Plan.

Starting Monday, LOCCSD will no longer implement a proof of vaccination or negative test requirement in their facilities. Masking will also end when the provincial mandate ends on Feb. 28. Living Sky School Division is also moving in this direction, after an announcement was made Thursday.

Director of Education Cory Rideout told battlefordsNOW that parents and administrators have been communicated to since Premier Scott Moe announced the changes earlier this week. Rideout added that he and many others were prepared for the news.

“It’s not like this came out of left field, the only question was when,” he said. “We’ve communicated anything we get from the ministers of education and health, staff are in the loop and they were ready.”

“Now that we know, we can plan for it and move forward.”

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The division is in the process of updating the safe schools plan, though Rideout noted there’s not many drastic changes and measures to stop COVID-19 spread remain.

“It will have the same type of mitigation elements in there, minus the masks,” he said. “Still asking for washing hands, sanitization, etc.”

“Our schools are open for business as they always were.”

Rideout stressed that they’re pushing for a mask friendly environment, with no bias towards anyone. Based on his observations of the community over the course of the pandemic, he expects everyone will adjust.

“During the masking break last summer, it was common place to see some with masks, some without, and I expect the same to happen within our community and schools,” he said. “So, if you choose to wear a mask or not wear a mask, it doesn’t matter. That will be your personal choice.”

Looking forward at the next few months, Rideout said everyone is looking forward to the spring. LOCCSD is currently looking at hosting professional development and a number of events.

“We hope those can go ahead and I think there’s some optimism moving forward.”

However, he noted there will still be a period of transition, given the anxiety some students, staff and parents have in regards to things returning to normal.

‘It will take a couple weeks for people to get their feet under them and move forward,” Rideout said. “Our focus will stay on education.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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