Student Tristan Ouellette, left, with Principal Jay Nichol​ at North Battleford Comprehensive High School on the first day of school Tuesday.  (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

COVID-19 precautions

Students head back to school with new rules during pandemic

Sep 8, 2020 | 12:49 PM

Sporting his face mask student, Tristan Ouellette picked up his timetable before heading to class at North Battleford Comprehensive High School on the first day of school Tuesday.

Ouellette, from Quebec, will be playing with the Battlefords North Stars this year.

The 17-year-old said he is fine wearing a mask. He also does not find it too worrisome starting school during a pandemic.

“I think in Saskatchewan, we don’t have a lot of COVID,” he said. “So I’m not stressed.”

The school has a staggered start for students this week.

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Principal Jay Nichol​ said a lot of work has been done to prepare the school, and create a safe atmosphere for the students. Students as well as staff are wearing their masks and following physical distancing requirements. Nichol said it’s good to see the students back in school again.

“It’s been a long while since we’ve seen them. So I am very happy to welcome people back, and get things going,” he said. “We want them to learn and get all those classes that they need.”

At McKitrick Community School, students played outside during recess Tuesday. It was a break for the older kids who are required to wear their masks inside during class.

Principal Amanda Risling said everything is working well for the return to school plan.

“So far all of the teachers have told me they are so pleased the kids are wearing their masks,” she said. “They are making sure there is a lot of hand-washing and sanitizing that is put into the routines.”

Starting school with half the students has helped as well. Students with names starting with A to L begin Tuesday and Wednesday, while the remainder will start school this Thursday and Friday.

“There are a lot of new things for these kiddos to learn,” Risling said. “They have never seen us in masks, and many have never worn masks either. So that slow start, where there are only half the people, I think has really made a difference.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @OCoureurDesBois