Classes at Regina public high schools set to move to alternate days

Regina’s public school division is stepping up its efforts to combat COVID-19.

Starting next Thursday, students at public high schools in the city will be attending classes on alternate days. By going to the so-called Level 3 of the provincial government’s Safe Schools Plan, Regina Public Schools is hoping to reduce the number of people in its high schools by about 50 per cent each day.

“The Saskatchewan Health Authority has recommended that this is an appropriate safety measure for our high schools,” Greg Enion, the division’s director of education, said in a letter sent to parents Friday. “We will continue to monitor our elementary schools and prepare for Level 3 (in those facilities), if necessary.

“We understand that this change may create some inconvenience for school families, especially for those that may have students in both high school and elementary school. Our hope, however, is to ensure that your children and our staff can learn and work safely, and that there is as little interruption to learning as possible.”

Schools in the city already are undergoing enhanced cleaning and ventilation systems are being improved. As well, starting Monday, all students at Regina public and Catholic schools — from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 — will have to wear non-medical masks in school and on buses.

Despite the safeguards that have been in place, the number of COVID cases reported in Regina’s schools has risen in recent weeks. On Thursday, for example, the public school division closed Thom Collegiate until Nov. 16 due to an outbreak.

Classrooms have been closed at other schools and students have been forced to learn remotely due to COVID cases.

The move announced Friday will have students attending school every other day. According to Enion’s letter: “This will effectively allow for the following improved safety measures:

• better ability to complete a quint for students in the event of an outbreak,
• improved physical distancing in high schools,
• reduction of the number of close contacts in a high school, if there is a case of COVID-19, and
• better ability for high school students to continue and quickly return to their learning, in the event of an outbreak.”

The letter added the change may not apply to students in low-enrolment programs or classes, since they already have fewer students.

Enion said parents will be hearing more details from the specific schools which their children attend.

The revamped schedule appears below.