(Image Credit: SD 73 / CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

CONTINUITY OF LEARNING PLAN

Where and when — key details in School District 73 Continuity of Learning plan

Mar 22, 2020 | 2:55 PM

KAMLOOPS — Schools in Kamloops will still be closed to the public next week, as School District 73 works on a plan to keep students learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a release to local media, the district says principals will be reaching out to staff after the regular one-week spring break to give them specific schedules around when they’ll be in buildings to make sure social distancing measures are followed.

On top of this, S.D 73 says it has scheduled a minimum of one custodian during the day for disinfecting, and additional support staff will be reassigned exclusively for surface cleaning.

“We are asking parents to please reassure your children that their teacher will be in touch with them very soon with a plan to reconnect them to their learning,” said Alison Sidow, Superintendent. “These are challenging times for us all, but I am confident that our amazing and dedicated staff will have many innovative ideas to ensure the children in our care continue to learn.”

Sidow also stressed in the release that parents need to make sure their kids are taking social distancing seriously.

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“We are taking tremendous efforts to protect our students and staff at this time, yet many youths are gathering in large groups at beaches, in the outskirts of town, and on the playgrounds despite the advice from the Provincial Health Officer,” said Sidow.

According to the release, the district is planning to have most of its school-based staff work from home. But this option would not work for all staff, so additional precautions have been taken for custodians, maintenance, IT, HR, communication, and finance staff who will still be on their regular work schedules.

“I have been assured by a Medical Health Officer from Interior Health, that there are no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in either our staff or our students at this time and I applaud those who have self-isolated when experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms as recommended by our Provincial Health Officer,” says Sidow.

In light of the decision to suspend in-classroom instruction, S.D 73 is working on a continuity of learning plan to make sure students can continue to learn, and to ensure grade 12 students can graduate, vulnerable learners are protected, and children of essential workers are supported.

A schedule will be made up that will allow for the safe pick up of resources and personal belongings that follows the social distancing guidelines set out by the Provincial Health Officer. With that, people are asked to not return to school buildings unless contacted by their child’s teacher, or principal.