Richmond students – in both elementary and secondary schools - with complex medical needs or who are immune-compromised will have the option of learning from home when school restarts in September.
Richmond School District released its back-to-school plan on Wednesday after it was approved by the Ministry of Education.
Schools will launch full-time in September with changes to operations meant to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Students from kindergarten to Grade 9 will be in school full-time every day. Students in Grades 10 to 12 will be in school half days with half the class attending in the morning and the other half in the afternoon.
Richmond high schools will be divided into four 10-week terms with students taking two courses at a time and staying within learning groups of 120 students.
Elementary students, who will be in learning groups of 60, will start full-time instruction on Sept. 14 after half-day orientation on Sept. 10 and 11. A learning group will consist of two classes and these might change throughout the year.
The federal government announced $2 billion in funding for all provinces to help with their restart in September, about $240 million for B.C.
After each school district announced its plans, however, the BC Teachers’ Federation asked the ministry to consult with stakeholders on how to use the federal funding.
“We need to do all we can to keep teachers, support staff, students and families safe,” said Teri Mooring, BCTF president. “That’s why I was hoping the government wouldn’t rush another announcement out the door, but take the time to improve the restart plan. I know the federal government’s funding announcement was unexpected, but we should see it as a huge opportunity to work together and get things right.”
The BCTF is asking for smaller class sizes and reduced density at schools, stronger mask regulations, options for remote learning for those who need it and more money for cleaning and ventilation.
In Richmond, safety measures in elementary schools include staggered breaks, adult supervision during lunches, and recess and lunchtime spent outdoors.
While students are to remain in their learning groups during instruction, the plan states they can socialize during breaks with other students with physical distancing.
Masks will not be mandatory in classrooms, but they will be in high-traffic areas like hallways.
The federal government announced on Wednesday it is providing the provinces with $2 billion in funding to help schools during the pandemic.
Click here to see the Richmond School District's restart plan.
