A look at how one of the largest schools in Kamloops will bring students back to class

At about 1,000 students, Valleyview is one of the city’s most overpopulated school buildings. Hamblett says adequate distancing will mean no locker use for students and the school will essentially be split in half.

“So we have two large cohorts. All the classes are organized by learning groups according to the Ministry guidelines. But we do have things like staggered lunches. So half will go out at one time and half at another,” she explains. “So just to give you a glimpse into the complexity of that, that’s like running two distinct bell schedules at the same time.”

Another change for students to navigate will be the switch to the quarter system. Students will now take two courses over a ten-week period instead of four courses over 20 weeks.

Dina Chase teaches photography and English at VSS, and says it’ll be a positive environment to learn in. Chase has taught in the quarter system before and says the longer class times actually give students a chance to settle into the learning material and focus.

“We’re all really hoping to go outside as much as possible and give the students that experience of being together and having a collegial learning experience.”

New floor signage in place at VSS (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today)

Teachers like Chase will play an important role in rolling out the safety measures and, while it’s taken a lot of adjusting, they’re glad to have a way to continue educating young people.

“A lot of my teacher friends and people who work at other schools, we’re just so looking forward to being back with the kids,” she says. “I know everybody really appreciates all the work that has gone on before having all of the kids back in. And we’re all learning as we go.”

Along with new protocols, and schedule restructuring, Valleyview will also start the year attached to an active construction site. Hamblett says the more-than-$34 million expansion to add 525 seats is on track for completion in September of 2022. A new parking lot and grass sports field are already in place for use this fall.

“It’s been really exciting watching them (construction crews) build that monolithic wall,” she says with a bit of a laugh when referring to the large retaining wall near the field area. “It won’t look like that when it’s finished, but just to have that parking space will really alleviate a lot of stress of pick up and drop off… so that will be really good.”

Hamblett notes that first-day orientations this week will aim to bring students up to speed with staff and administration ready to adjust protocols as need be. She says it will be a busy couple of weeks but the school is ready to handle it.

“If there’s nothing else, we’re getting really good at responding to our environment and responding to the needs of everybody and being able to balance that really well.”

by Dylana Kneeshaw

A look at how one of the largest schools in Kamloops will bring students back to class

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