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As you know, we've been planning for September based on a number of scenarios. Being in continual dialogue with the Department of Education enabled us to communicate our plans shortly after the province's official announcement (here is a copy of my email to parents June 26)
The easiest ways to explain the three options being considered for next year by the province (without going into great detail) is:
- Reopening in September with few restrictions (all WMEMS students back in school, similar to every other September in recent history with a few modifications and mostly unrestricted movement between students at school).
- Reopening in September with some restrictions in place (all WMEMS students back in school, but will remain with their own class mostly. Restrictions on whole school events where all kids are together at once)
- Reopening in September under a public health order that is restricting most activities in our daily lives with school being one of them. Limited use of school facilities at that time meaning most likely remote learning will be in place.
As I have mentioned before, regardless of the decisions made about school opening guidelines over the summer WMEMS will be ready for September 8, 2020. The most likely scenario that has been shared with us will see students back in school come September (scenario #1 or #2). Our schools are very fortunate that we do not face the same problems that many other schools and divisions are facing as they are planning to open up again. A large reason for this is our small size and configuration (both student numbers and physical space). The fact that we are small schools (when compared to many others) means we can make modifications (if necessary) to ensure appropriate physical distancing and grouping (cohorting) if in fact these requirements become necessary with minimal interruption to what each student experiences. In other words, it will be much easier for us to serve our students in a regular fashion than it will be for schools that have larger populations who may have to take some pretty drastic actions in some cases to deliver services.
Our goal will be to have as regular and routine of an opening as possible. School opening conferences will take place (just like they always have) before school starts and our schools will be ready to receive students at the beginning of the new school year. I have also set aside time in next year's school calendar for our teachers to evaluate their students and ensure that we clearly understand and address any needs that may be lingering from our COVID related suspension of in school classes this year. In this area, we will differ from many other institutions, but I feel strongly that this will be time well spent that will benefit all of our learners in the long run.
2020-2021 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Our team has pulled together the tentative 2020-21 school calendar. From our website, you can import or sync the school calendar with your own digital calendar (click "add to Google Calendar" found in the bottom right corner of the calendar on this page).
Canadian Mennonite
We are not alone in navigating this pandemic. Canadian Mennonite reached out to schools across Canada including WMEMS (article available at: wmems.ca/news)
Above all else may summer bring you and your loved ones peace, health and hope. Looking forward to seeing you in September, but we will be in touch beforehand with any updates needed.
Faithfully,
Lawrence
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