I believe we can all agree that the start of the 2020-2021 school year is like no other in recent memory. Despite the challenges presented to us, I know that our staff, myself included, very much look forward to seeing our students back in our classrooms and schools.
Over the summer, our operations and maintenance teams, as well as our principals, division staff, trustees and teachers, have worked tirelessly to ensure that our schools are prepared for the return of our students on September 8. Many resources, too numerous to mention in this article, have been put in place to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19. More information on our re-opening plan can be found at www.mvsd.ca.
A new vocabulary has entered into our day-to-day conversations including such terms as cohorts, social distancing, infection control, pandemic response and public health orders. I sincerely believe that the way we will successfully navigate this new normal is through being flexible and accepting of the fact that things will change month to month, and sometimes day to day. Open communication from schools and the division with students, parents and community members will be vital. It was one of the reasons we decided to have a Zoom Town Hall with anyone who could attend on the evening of September 2. We are also open to questions on our social media platforms and, as always, we will readily respond to phone calls and emails. We at MVSD are all eager to welcome students back and to work together to provide the high-quality education that our students deserve.
Although this summer has been a busy one with preparing for the new school year in the age of COVID-19, I did manage to get some downtime, and step away occasionally from meetings and other tasks associated with gearing up for a new normal. One of the books I was able to pick up and read in my spare time was Pale Rider by Laura Spinney. The book chronicles how the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 changed the world. There were certainly some comparisons with what we are dealing with today, although it is quite clear that in 1918, society did not have the infection control measures in place that we have in 2020. One chapter that was particularly interesting was on “Good Samaritans” and the actions of regular folks over the course of major pandemics throughout the ages. History demonstrates, that even in times when communities are dealing with the challenges of a worldwide pandemic, that many people strive to reach out to others to help in completely selfless ways. The author points out that psychologists have even coined a phrase for this phenomenon: collective resilience. This idea of collective resilience resonated with me. As we pass the six-month point of schools been directly impacted by COVID-19, it is more important than ever to look after each other and strengthen our resolve.
There has been a great deal of information provided to all of us by Public Health and the provincial government on COVID-19. While difficult to digest all of this messaging at once, sticking consistently to the fundamentals will go a long way in reducing the risk of transmission of the virus, especially in our schools. When your child becomes ill, even mildly, keep your child home. Practice good hand hygiene. Get tested if symptoms meet the criteria. Maintain social distancing whenever possible.
At the school level, we continue to work with Public Health and the Department of Education on delivering an in-person education in a safe and consistent manner. We have introduced enhanced cleaning protocols, made modifications to our transportation system and hired additional staff to support distancing and to ensure we are prepared for higher rates of staff absenteeism.
Students will arrive at our doorstep with many needs, some more than others. In some cases, there will be learning gaps, big and small. Other students will need time to become reacquainted with the routines and expectations of the school day. With our current group of experienced educators, as well as our new hires, I am confident we will be up to the task of supporting all of our students as we transition back into school.
We, in MVSD, recognize that mental health and wellness supports are going to be critical to meet the needs of our students. Our strategic plan positions us well for the challenges the school year is likely to bring. Our academic focus on literacy and numeracy will be vital to ensuring that we help close any critical learning gaps for our students. Our emphasis on mental health and safe and caring schools will guide us in every important decision we make this year. We will put students first when we determine the course of action we take, whether it is further pandemic response planning or ensuring that our students’ needs in the area of mental health and wellness are met. Career education cannot be put aside. We received many questions from students and parents about how the potential changes to schooling this year might impact credit attainment, graduation plans and vocational programming. We are working to ensure that both students in full-time schooling and in a blended model receive the education necessary to meet their educational goals, whether in their program of studies or post-graduation.
I wish to extend my gratitude not only to the staff for their hard work up until this point to be ready for the opening of school, but to the students and parents for your patience, questions and understanding as we navigate this time together. As always, if you have questions or concerns regarding our divisional plans, please feel free to contact me at 204-638-3001 or [email protected]. I wish you success this school year!