STF asks educators to stay away from extracurricular activities as opening date looms

Don’t volunteer for extracurricular activities.

That’s what the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) is telling its members as staff and students prepare for the first day of school on Sept. 8.

In a release Tuesday evening, the STF explained its reasoning behind the directive to educators.

“Our priority as teachers and community leaders is to ensure the safety of our students as our schools re-open,” said Patrick Maze, president of STF in the release.

“Significant effort has been undertaken to ensure safety of students such as cohorting, restricting travel and staggered start times. Providing extracurricular activities undermines these efforts.”

The decision of whether or not to go ahead with extracurricular activities falls upon each school division.

“It’s important to remember that when Saskatchewan students return to their classrooms on September 8, they will not have been in a classroom for over five months. Gaps in learning already exist at the beginning of a normal school year, and COVID-19 is only going to widen those gaps,” said Maze in the release.

“While we recognize the important role that extracurricular activities can have on students’ well-being, our priority has to be on their safety and education.”

STF said it supports the decisions of the “majority” of school divisions who have decided against extracurricular activities at this time.

For a full look at STF’s “School Re-opening Advisory,” click here.