The province’s largest school board is welcoming the extra time this year to allow in-school administrators to prepare for classes.

Normally, teachers go in the day after Labour Day, with students following on Wednesday.

This year, principals, teachers, and staff will return on Wednesday, September 2, to allow orientation and preparation due to COVID-19 protocols. Students will return a week later on Wednesday, September 9.

The Director of Education for the English School District welcomes the extra preparation time. Tony Stack says every other sector of industry had a window to prepare for reopening.

However, the NL Teachers’ Association contends that the late notice from government of their new schedule caused issues for some of their members who already made plans.