Deputy Education Minister George Daley (From CPAC)
Support will be available for vulnerable students upon their return to school in September.
Parents and guardians of vulnerable students will need to consult with their health-care provider to determine whether it is safe for them to attend school.
Deputy education minister George Daley says consultations with parents who are choosing part-time or full time at home learning will begin on August 31st.
“Schools and district education support services teams will begin evaluating and working with parents to determine which vulnerable students may require daily school attendance or altered school attendance which may include at-home learning,” says Daley.
He says these decisions and the associated communications should be completed before September 4th.
Daley says some students who may not have been considered vulnerable before the pandemic are now experiencing difficulties and they will be taking this into account during their planning.
Additionally, any student whose family has decided not to send them to school for any non-medical reason or fear of the pandemic will be required to complete a home-school request form.
High school students with complex needs, however, must attend full time to ensure they have consistent access to the services and support they require.
Daley also provided details on school transportation.
He says students who are considered vulnerable will still be taking the bus, as they did in the past unless there are medical reasons why they shouldn’t.
“There are a variety of reasons that a student may be considered vulnerable included and not limited to being immuno-compromised, students that have significant physical or mental health challenges and students who face difficult home or food insecurity challenges,” Daley says.
He says a number of safety protocols have been put in place, including loading the bus from back to front, that students must sit in the same seat every day and when they will be required to wear a mask.
As for the driver, a clear curtain will be installed as a divider between them and passengers and a mask or face shield must be worn when physical distancing is not possible.
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has released a parent and public guide supporting the Return to School: September 2020 plan for the public school system.
The Return to School: Guide for Parents and the Public provides a detailed overview of what students, parents and guardians need to know before returning to school.
