The students of the Weyburn Comprehensive School will be back to full-time five-days a week classes as of Thursday, March 11, according to a letter sent out by the school division to all parents of students.
In the letter, education director Lynn Little explained the rationale of being on the schedule of every other day for junior and senior high students.
鈥淭he safety of all staff and students has been our collective priority during the pandemic. Our school division has worked in cooperation and support with Public Health officials to develop and implement safety protocols. The restrictions across the system have been successful in that we have had instances where individuals attended the school(s) while infectious however there has been no known spread in any facility.
She noted that in late November, with the rise in cases across the province and positivity rates, Dr. Shahab, Chief Medical Health Officer, recommended that all high schools with a student population of over 600 operate at Level 3 to reduce school population and ensure limited exposure.
鈥淲e have continued to work with our Health partners both at the local and provincial level. We have been in discussions and studying the trends over the last several weeks. As many of you have pointed out the positive case numbers in our area are very low and have remained low for several weeks. We had been contemplating a gradual return of students with a review of the cases. However, as the numbers have remained low and in conjunction with our established plans to transition between levels seamlessly as needed, we are preparing to move to Level 2 (full attendance for students every day) for all grade levels in both ECS and WCS effective聽Thursday, March 11.
鈥淥ur staff, like many of you, have been anxious to have students return full-time and look forward to full classrooms. Please know that it will take some transition time for the staff once all students are back. We request your continued support and patience,鈥� said Little in the letter.
As per the SECPSD Health and Safety Plan, if there are positive cases in classrooms, the school will move to Level 4, remote learning, if directed by Sask Health partners following contact tracing. Processes are in place for a smooth transition between levels as needed.
鈥淲e are hopeful that the positive rate will remain low and manageable in our area. In conjunction with our local Health partners, we will continue to monitor our area and study metrics should a return to Level 3 be required. We are prepared to move nimbly to ensure safety of all,鈥� said the letter. 鈥淲e believe strongly that the best place for students to be is in a classroom in front of a teacher. We will do our utmost to have this happen in a safe environment for all.鈥�
