Phased approach for students’ return to classes

Most students will not be returning to classes in British Columbia’s public schools next week.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a new order that calls for a phased restart for kindergarten to grade 12 due to rising COVID-19 cases including the Omicron variant.

On Wednesday, B.C. reported a record 2,944 new new cases, with 193 people in hospital and 66 in critical care.

Five more people have died from the virus since Dec. 24.

Henry told a news conference, all schools will open either Jan. 3 or 4, but just for children of essential workers and those with special needs, with a full return for all students on Monday, Jan. 10.

“This will give us time to add additional protocols to reduce crowding and stagger times for recess; those things that we did early on that we know can help reduce the potential for transmission within the settings,” said Henry.

Teachers and staff at schools will return to work on the 3rd or 4th.

B.C.’s top doctor said school administrators will use the phased approach to address things like making sure classes can safely be held and to address absenteeism and program continuity.

Henry said the COVID testing strategy will be adjusted, and the public heath notifications will be modified to put in place measures that help students and parents learn how the Omicron variant is affecting the schools.

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside said while some students may be excited about an extended winter break, many families depend on schools being open and it’s critical for them to have schools running as smoothly as possible during the school year.

“By taking a few extra days now for planning and preparation, we are setting up our schools for the best possible start,” said Whiteside.

Whiteside said the schools will be open to children of health care workers the week of Jan. 3, and for students with extra support needs, and parents will be responsible to reach out to their school principal to make those arrangements.

The minister said the enhanced safety measures will include the cancellation of extracurricular sports.