Director of Education for Hastings-Prince Edward School Board Sean Monteith provided an update last week on what the upcoming school year may look like and said the board still doesn’t have a clear picture.
He said the past two weeks have been the “most active” in terms of messaging from the province on the upcoming school year.
“We want to prepare ourselves for a number of models,” Monteith said. When speaking during last week’s school board meeting, he said that they’re looking at everything from smaller class sizes to continuing to have students learn from home. He said a plan could be put in place that sees students split time learning from home and being at school.
Last week Minister of Education Stephen Lecce unveiled three scenarios that they are directing school boards to prepare for when school returns in September. He said that each school board in the province will also be able to build their own plan on what makes sense for the communities they serve.
“Never before have we ended a school year and looked ahead with the uncertainty,” Monteith said.
He added that he doesn’t believe a definitive answer will come on what the upcoming school year will look like until July or August. “The fact that we’re ready for different approaches is help,” Monteith went on to say.
“Whenever the re-entry reoccurs should not be taken as a traditional re-entry,” Monteith said. He adds that he understands it’s not reassuring to staff, parents, and students who may be worried, but reiterates that staff are working to ensure everyone is prepared for when school does startup. “The mental health and emotional needs of our staff, families and students is going to be unlike anything we’ve seen before,” he said.
“Whenever the re-entry occurs, it should not be taken as a traditional re-entry,” Monteith said. “We will be looking at at least five months without seeing our students and staff with kids.
