Teachers, students doing well with some exceptions as first school week winds down

It’s been one for the books, as the saying goes.

A start to the 2020-21 school year unlike any other in recent memory.

Parents sent their children either back to school or enrolled them in online or homeschooling programs.

Teachers and administrators have had to not only learn but also introduce and implement a host of new rules and procedures including wearing face masks, increased sanitary measures, physical distancing, staggered start times, monitoring for any signs of illness and isolation protocols.

So, how did the first week go, overall for those in the classroom? It, of course, depends on who is asked.

Trina Kroeze is a mother of three children in Grades 5, 9 and 10. She says all have so far adjusted well to the cornucopia of new rules.

“I haven’t been too concerned about it. They all were really anxious to get back to school, and so it’s been- it was really good to get them back to school.”

She says other than her youngest complaining about hand sanitizer stinging a cut on his hand, the week has been fairly uneventful.

“They seem to be pretty at ease with everything. I’m fairly at ease after this week,” she added.

She has no complaints with teachers, staff or administration.

While mom Monika Wolowski is also happy with most of the measures like physical distancing and enhanced cleaning, she says her two children are having a much more difficult time getting used to wearing face masks.

Especially since one of her children suffers from severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is prone to panic attacks.

“Having the masks on 24-7 while in school is the very difficult part,” she said. “My daughter’s been coming home and is very down. You can tell she’s trying to get over it. The only time she can take it (the mask) off is at lunch when she goes outside. He’s (her son) is ok, but he comes home and he kind of bottles it up a bit.”

She wishes kids could take their masks off to get a “breather” as it were, or a short break if they’re not coughing or sneezing.

But before she speaks to administration, she says she’ll wait a bit longer.

“I’ll just give another week to see. I know it’s been difficult for them. I hope it’s something they can get used to.”

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation

STF President Patrick Maze says overall, teachers have been feeling good about the COVID-19 measures in place so far. Many have been excited to get back to their students and back in the classroom.

He adds that there’s one measure they even hope to keep around in the years to come. It’s something that has so far helped reduce teacher AND student anxiety during the first week.

“Students’ staggered entry has given teachers a chance to get to know students better on the opening days of school. I’ve heard from several teachers that they’d actually like to see this process repeated even when we’re not in the midst of a pandemic.”

On the flip side though, he notes that teachers on Monday could get a bit of a shock when they see not 16 or 17 students, but 30 or more students at the same time. That’s also when physical distancing measures may have to be monitored even more.

He says it’s been a whirlwind of a first week and gives kudos to school divisions for doing “a remarkable job.”

“I think this will be a well deserved weekend for all those in the education system… it’s a busy time for everyone.”