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Fulltime in-class instruction to resume Sept. 8 in Cowichan Valley School District

Planning revolves around safety protocols, learning group numbers
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Chemainus Secondary School will be preparing for fulltime in-class instruction Sept. 8. (Photo by Don Bodger)

The Cowichan Valley School District’s Board of Education is working to localize the road map laid out by the Ministry of Education and Dr. Bonnie Henry for the return of fulltime, in-class instruction for the 2020-21 school year.

Updated health and safety protocols, as well as a financial investment to support it, are being put in place for schools. The consensus is being in school gives students the social emotional development, education and mental health benefits they need.

The Ministry has introduced learning group numbers for elementary and secondary students, detailed cleaning routines and availability of reusable masks for times when physical distancing is not possible. These additions, over and above the Health and Safety procedures put in place for June, will help everyone stay safe.

“Over the next weeks we will be modifying our return to school plans and working with our union partners to ensure a good transition back to class for all of our learners,” said Candace Spilsbury, chair of the Cowichan Valley School District Board of Education. “We always take the health and safety of our staff and students very seriously, and with these new guidelines we know that we can continue to do that.”

New information will be available for parents and students by Aug. 26 and will lay out the new learning group structure and detail any schedule changes. The updated back-to-school information from the Ministry of Education can be found at gov.bc.ca/covid19returntoschool.