The long-awaited back-to-school plan for September for students in the English School District has been released publicly.
Children in the K-12 system will not be required to wear a mask during class, but must wear one while on school buses. That policy could change as required.
View the full report from the NL English School District at this link.
Two washable and reusable non-medical masks will be available to staff and one per student for use at their discretion and when required.
Physical distancing will be implemented for desks and workspaces, adhering to the two-metre guidelines where space allows. Where two-metre distancing is not possible, the greatest distance possible is recommended.
Signs offering reminders of physical distancing will be placed around schools, while hand sanitizers and cleaning solutions will be available in all classrooms and common areas where soap and water are not available.
Plexiglass barriers will be placed in high-traffic areas like the school office where physical distancing is not possible.
Each school will require a health room or area for use by students or staff who become ill during the day.
Most schools in the province are not mechanically ventilated, but the board says there will be a renewed emphasis on a natural ventilation protocol created over a decade ago.
Community use of schools will not be allowed until further notice, but daycare and after school services may remain in operation on approval from the District.
School Bus Safety
Masks will not be mandatory in the classroom, but will be required on school buses and communal areas.
No more than two students to a seat on the school bus, with a maximum of 46 students per bus. The District says there are not enough school buses available to make up the disparity, so courtesy seating is being suspended. Students not eligible to ride the bus will not be able to do so.
Over 6,000 students will no longer have access to the bus because of the changes. The Director of Education Tony Stack says that also means courtesy stops will be eliminated.
The District indicates students farther away from their school will receive priority.
