The president of the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association (GVTA) says a one- or two-week extension to the fall start date could be the difference between a smooth transition back to school and a disastrous one.
Winona Waldron said the extra time would give teachers and staff the chance to map out day-to-day schedules and spaces in a COVID-19 world.
“I don’t think it has to be a super lengthy delay, but I think if you have teachers in school, setting up the health and safety protocols, figuring it out, rejigging the schedules [and] have everyone working, just without the kids.”
READ ALSO: B.C. to roll out ‘learning groups’ as part of COVID-19 back-to-school plan
The B.C. government announced the second stage of its school restart plan in July, outlining full-time, in-class instruction with students organized into ‘learning groups.’ Elementary and middle school students are to be organized in groups of 60 and secondary students in groups of 120. That’s a shift from the plan that teaching groups and school districts had been working on from earlier this summer – originally, stage two had only 40 per cent of students from Grade 8 to 12 attending in-class instruction.
The shift could be manageable, said Waldron, but it’s the lack of organization and forethought around the learning groups that concerns her. High school students take various electives and courses at different levels – something that will quickly complicate grouping.
“Logistically, it’s a lot to figure out,” she said. “My big concern is that we’re just going ahead without figuring out all those pieces first, which I think could lead to a total shut down again. This has to be done thoughtfully.”
READ ALSO: Greater Victoria School District prepares for fall classes
But planning with teachers is difficult over the summer and access to the school buildings could make a big difference for implementing safety protocols, Waldron said. BC Education calls not only for learning groups, but for increased spacing in classrooms, more individual and small group activities and limitations on assemblies and large gatherings.
“We need a chance to be in there physically and see that it works by doing walk-throughs with the adults,” Waldron said. “I think it’s possible to get the learning groups idea as far as contact tracing etc. but the schedules kids have right now, don’t fit into that. Those schedules need to be recreated and then there needs to be some real consideration for health and safety protocols.”
We know lots of #bced teachers are confused about what happened to “Stage 2” of the K-12 restart plan. You’re not alone. It changed very recently and the working groups weren’t given time to examine the changes before the announcement. Old Stage 2 in blue. New in yellow. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/LqnZriuJj5
— BCTF (@bctf) July 31, 2020
The GVTA’s concerns echo the sentiment of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF), which issued a media release July 29 calling for consultation and more clarity around the cohort model and how it would keep teachers safe while ensuring students get a full education.
The BCTF also asked for time in September so teachers could plan, prepare and take any necessary health and safety training or orientations.
“The key to ensuring the reopening plan is improved is allowing the working groups to spend more time together and identify the solutions so the appropriate planning and implementation can get done,” said Teri Mooring, BCTF president. “Those working groups have a wealth of knowledge to contribute and they should be given time to get back to work.”
READ ALSO: B.C. teacher hopes province will change back-to-school plan in fear of COVID transmission
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