1

In-class learning is the ideal environment for teaching and learning.

This planning framework outlines how in-class learning will resume in September 2020.

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL PLAN

2

Prince Edward Island schools are preparing to safely welcome all K-12 students back to school in September 2020, with necessary precautionary measures in place.

In-class learning is the ideal environment for teaching and learning. This planning framework outlines how in-class learning will resume in September following the suspension in March of in-school classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Education and Lifelong Learning is working with the education authorities, parent groups, the PEI Teachers’ Federation and CUPE, to safely return students to the classroom – while protecting the health and safety of students, staff and communities.

This plan provides guidance to school authorities while allowing for some local flexibility, recognizing that each school is different in terms of enrolment, grade levels and physical layout.

All in-school learning in Prince Edward Island was closed in March 2020 and students continued their learning at

home. The Chief Public Health Office allowed Island schools to re-open with limited capacity in June 2020. Respite care and some student services were offered at the school level, but most programs were offered remotely until June 2020.

Public Health guidance will continue to be followed in September and for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Decisions regarding the extent to which in-class learning resumes will be guided by public health advice and the extent of COVID-19 transmission in Prince Edward Island communities in the coming school year. School authorities, students and families will need to be prepared to adapt to changing public health conditions at any time.

Parents and guardians will play an important role in helping children transition to new learning environments. The Department and school leaders will be in constant contact with parents and students regarding any adjustments that may be required.

This plan provides consistent guidance to school authorities while allowing for some local flexibility, recognizing that

each school is different in terms of enrolment, grade levels and physical layout.

Welcome back students and staff

2020-2021 School YearThe provincial school calendar will be followed with schools re-opening for teachers and staff on September 1 and for students on September 8. The Public Schools Branch and Commission scolaire de langue française have been tasked to prepare for different scenarios contingent with public health considerations:

In the first instance, the boards and schools have been asked to prepare for:

• In-class learning with detailed precautionary measures in place, and

• In-class learning with additional public health measures;

As a precautionary measure, back-up plans are being developed, including:

• At home learning with limited use of school facilities.

• At home learning with no access to school facilities.

Both education authorities will submit their overall operational plans and specific school plans to the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning before school resumes in the fall. Specific school plans will be shared with parents and students before school resumes on September 8.

These guidelines will also be shared with private schools to assist them in their planning for September.

• The detailed operational plan for each school board will be based on the guidance of the Chief Public Health Office.

• All staff and students will be asked to stay home if they are feeling unwell.

• Parents, students and staff will be asked to self-screen for any symptoms of COVID-19 before entering the school.

• Protocols will be in place to increase the frequency of hand washing.

• Enhanced cleaning practices will be followed in schools and on school buses.

• Signage will indicate how foot traffic will flow in the school.

• Washroom protocols will be implemented.

• Schools will stagger the entry and exit of students from the building.

• Lunch and recess breaks will be scheduled to keep students in smaller groups and avoid congestion in common areas.

• The number of visitors in schools will be limited, and all visitors will be screened at entry points.

• Any school activities and events will follow CPHO guidelines for gatherings.

• Teachers will be added as necessary to support return to school plans.

Public Health Orders and Guidance

Transportation• Enhanced cleaning practices will be

followed on school buses.

• School authorities will work to reduce ridership, for example by adding school buses and routes and establishing walk-to-school programs.

• Parents will be encouraged to transport their children to and from school, if at all possible, to reduce the number of students on school buses.

Students with special educational needs

• Students with special educational needs are considered in this plan and school boards will, to their full abilities, consider and enable the full participation and inclusion of these students.

• Arrangements will be made to support students with special needs who are not able to follow guidelines and require support in adapting to public health measures.

Physical Distancing in School

• When possible, students will work in cohorts, or small groups

of the same students, who will stay together and distance

themselves from other groups.

• By keeping students in the same group and limiting

interaction between groups, schools can significantly reduce

exposure should there be a case in the school.

• When possible, classrooms will be configured in a way to

promote physical distancing.

• Schools will work to reduce class sizes as much as possible. If

necessary, alternate space such as libraries and multi-purpose

rooms will be used to reduce the number of students in a

classroom.

• Students will be educated on the importance of providing

distance between students, as well as the importance of hand

washing and sanitizing.

• Extra teaching and cleaning staff will be hired to support

physical distancing and the safety of students and staff.

5

W E L C O M E B AC K PL A N

Student well-beingPlans will be in place to support the social and emotional needs of students and staff who are transitioning back to school after several months.

W E L C O M E B AC K PL A N

Community:Education authorities will continue to support community use of school facilities in various scenarios. All programming will support CPHO guidelines.

Volunteers play a key role in the operation of many school programs. Protocols will be developed to ensure that they can continue to safely support students.

School food programs will continue to be expanded in the coming year.

W E L C O M E B AC K PL A N

Immunocompromised students and staffStudents and school staff who are immunocompromised are encouraged to consult their health care provider to determine if they should attend school.

Students who are unable to attend due to being immunocompromised should contact their school administration or the student services team to explore an alternative plan.

6

• Given the interruption of the 2019-20 academic year, and the adaptations necessary for the 2020-21 year, additional effort is being made to ensure that students recover learning, that teachers and staff are supported to make adjustments, and that all learning areas can continue to be delivered.

• Professional learning opportunities will orient teachers and staff to revised curriculum and school operational requirements.

• Some programming such as music and physical education courses, will be adapted to adhere to public health guidelines.

• Curriculum has been revised for September 2020 to address learning gaps and curriculum outcomes that could not be taught this spring.

• The curriculum outcomes that students will learn throughout the year have been prioritized.

• Revisions allow for instruction to address learning gaps early in the new school year.

• By focusing on what was omitted this spring and on key areas of the curriculum early in the school year, schools will be in a good position to minimize the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

CURRICULUM AND LEARNING

Curriculum has been revised for September 2020 to address learning gaps and curriculum outcomes that

could not be taught this spring.

7

Schools will be prepared to adjust to changing public health

guidance and plans will continue to reflect the latest public

health advice.

Orientation sessions will be held for all staff to help them become

familiar with new public health protocols that must be followed.

This will include teachers and school staff as well as volunteers,

bus drivers, custodial and support staff.

Schools will communicate regularly with parents on the

operational plan for their school, and how they can support their

children in the new learning environment.

Safety and preparedness will be the priority when implementing

any scenario. While the goal is to have all students return to

the classroom, school authorities and schools will be ready to

implement various re-opening scenarios.

Parents will be made aware of the operational plan for their

school before students return to class.

8

Welcome Back to School Plan

June 30, 2020PrinceEdwardIsland.ca