Ethelbert School, like all schools in the Division, was presented with challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing appropriate spacing for students required maximizing the space available in each classroom, along with trying to find furniture that was suitable for all our grade levels. Creating a safety plan for student flow required extensive preparation and the ability to problem solve on the go, to best mitigate the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. It was reassuring to us that when a case of COVID-19 presented itself in our building, no other student or staff member contracted the virus.
Once the physical challenges were addressed, trying to keep things as normal as possible for our students was the number one priority that staff felt needed to happen. There were changes to routines but it was important that the social component of school and the programming, especially specialized programming, continued to happen.
The one thing that made this pandemic difficult for most students was the inability to socialize with friends. Although our older students found connection through technology, our younger ones were missing the important contact time with their peers and the feeling of community that a school provides. Participating in Remembrance Day and in the Christmas concert were two important activities that we were able to continue, which helped support the sense of community.
Our students created and recorded a virtual Remembrance Day service that was shared within our school as well as with the families in our school community. The Kindergarten students recited the poem, “Little Poppy” while displaying their poppy art, and the grade five and six students recited “In Flanders Fields.” We ensured that we incorporated all the traditional activities and protocols that take place during a Remembrance Day service.
The Christmas concert was also shared virtually with our school community. Classmates got together and took time to practice and perfect their roles for their virtual audience. Our students had the opportunity to dance, play their musical instruments, recite poetry and share their art. They took time to learn sign language and signed, instead of sang, to Silent Night. Although the concert was displayed in a different format, the responses were the same. Parents commented with pride about their children’s performance and students laughed and grinned as they watched themselves on the screen. Remove the technology and the preparation that went into the performances was like any other December concert.
Another activity that brought continuity to the community feel was the holiday food drive. Teachers and students decided to do a food drive to support the Dauphin and District Food Bank. With an enthusiasm that only students can bring, our school was able to collect over 100 pounds of non-perishable items for the food bank.
Although sense of community is essential, obviously maintaining the academic programming is just as important. One thing we did not want to see suffer because of COVID-19 was our strong and focused literacy programming. Working within the rules of COVID-19 restrictions, staff wanted to find ways to continue to deliver literacy programming that has proven successful for many of our early years students. Once again, staff found ways to utilize technology to maintain and support programming. Using RAZ Reading and immersive reading technology, students had opportunities to read multiple book titles without handling books and received virtual support. This helped to ensure that our Buddy Reading and Home Reading programs continued uninterrupted. This allowed us to maintain continuity with the literacy programs in a way that has proven successful in our school.
Field trips are an important part of supporting and engaging students in academic programming. Once again, technology played a crucial role, allowing our students to learn through virtual field tips. With the support of the Intermountain Conservation District, our students attended a Virtual Wetland field trip put on by Oak Hammock Marsh. Our high school students took the opportunity to attend the University of Manitoba’s Science Engineering Technology Day. A field trip that is usually limited to a small number of students was now open to all of our high school students.
Trying to keep school life as normal as possible during the pandemic was a challenge. With the support of families and the dedication of staff, we were successful in keeping school life for our students as normal as possible. As an administrator, my favorite part of my day is being able to visit classrooms and talk to kids in the hallways. It was during these times when I was able to measure the success we had. When I heard students laughing and had them coming up to me and excitedly saying, “You know what happened in class today, Mr. Heschuk?” – those are the most normal sounds one can hear in the best school in Mountain View School Division.