Saskatoon Public Schools seeing COVID’s impact in classrooms

Since the return from the Christmas break, a number of Saskatoon students have missed classes due to COVID-19.

Saskatoon Public Schools is confirming 85 positive COVID cases in the first week of 2022.

Veronica Baker, the manager of communications and marketing with Saskatoon Public Schools, said those numbers are specific to students who were in class this week.

“This would be cases in large part that were reported after individuals took rapid tests at home,” Baker said.

“This is talking about cases where the individual was at some point back in school this week. This isn’t taking into account cases of students or staff members who have not returned to school this week due to illness.”

Since the start of the pandemic, Baker says the reported numbers have never reached this level.

“I’m not sure we’ve seen numbers like this before,” she said. “Obviously, the access to rapid test kits is making a difference.

“We’ve encouraged (families) to do regular screening as test kits are available so that we can be trying to prevent further transmission of the virus.”

Baker says teachers have had to think on the fly while trying to make the best decisions in a difficult situation.

“We are stretched for staffing,” Baker admitted. “There’s no question there’s some juggling and some creative thinking going on in our schools and being able to manage this. We are prepared (as) there may be some challenges ahead.”

Despite those challenges, teachers and staff members have made it known that the students are still their priority.

“Our staff and our schools have done an incredible job all throughout the pandemic to keep the focus on learning,” Baker said. “They’ve really done a great job modelling the safety protocols we’ve put in place to be teaching those students.”

Going forward, there could be more protocols put in place to help maintain the health and safety of the students.

One example Baker provided would be taking a traditional band class and applying new rules to make the experience safe for everyone.

“The students are still coming to band, but they are focusing on other areas in the curriculum like around music theory,” she said. “So instead of blowing air through instruments, they’re able to be working on a different area of the curriculum for band.”

The option to switch to a complete online format remains for all students if they wish to limit their contact to others in a classroom.

“We offer K-to-12 programming through our online learning centre,” Baker said.