Parents, students and staff in the Fort La Bosse School Division are ramping up for a September 8th start like the rest of the province, and Superintendent Barry Pitz says he feels both parents and students are ready to get back into the daily routine of school.   

“For the most part, I think everyone is looking forward to getting back into some normalcy,” he explains.  “I know the kids are missing their friends.  School is a wonderful place for kids to learn and grow and connect with their fellow classmates, and that’s so important.   We’re looking forward to their return and I think the parents are too.” 

Tight COVID-19 restrictions in Prairie Mountain Health are currently in affect, however these public restrictions are not the same when it comes to schools. “Education is considered to be a separate sector,” explains Pitz, “so, School Division Reponses will still be at a Level 1 return, which is pretty much a full return back to in-class learning.” 

However, one of the biggest changes to this September’s ‘in-class learning’ could be ‘outdoor instruction’. 

For classroom time, as well as band, music and shops programs, Pitz says they will be making use of as much outdoor instruction as possible.   “In Fort La Bosse we are proceeding with that with the guidelines from the minister as far as what is acceptable.  Again, we’re trying to move as much as possible outside for instructional purposes.  Being outside, of course, is a variable risk for transmission if there was a case of COVID in our area.” 

“So, we will be spending as much time as we can in the lovely fall of Manitoba!” he adds. 

Preparing for students includes continuous sanitizing of high traffic and high touch areas.  “Our buildings are also closed to the public for any extra activities that would normally take place in evenings and on the weekends.  So, I think we’ll be able to handle the cleaning quite well in our buildings.”  

Pitz says the transport of students in their division has been adapted fairly easily with the only change affecting in-town bus service.  “The only thing we’ve had to do is eliminate all of our in-town bussing to make sure that all of our transported students have 1 seat per child, unless they’re of the same household.  So, we’re in good shape that way.” 

There is typically a shortage of substitute teachers in the rural areas, and Pitz says it will continue to be a problem this year. However, university students taking their Education Degree might be a consideration to fill the gap. 

 

“We’re hoping to get more support and guidance from the province as to how to tackle that issue,” adds Pitz.