The end of summer is near and that means the back-to-school hype has begun. New clothes, school supplies and, of course this year, so many questions about how things will be organized with regards to the looming fourth wave of COVID-19. The provincial government recently released its recommendations for the back-to-school plan, and that has clarified a few things for the students and parents of Ecole Arthur Pigeon (EAP).
Teachers at EAP head back to work on August 25. Students in the adapted groups as well as secondary I students will begin school August 31, while students in secondary II, III, IV, and V will have their first day on September 1. The entire student body will have classes on September 2.
Students will be starting the year normally, which means they will not be in class bubbles. They will be able to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and class trips; however, the vaccination passport will be required for some activities that are considered high-risk.
Busing to and from the school will be at full capacity with assigned seating. Students will have to wear procedural masks while in common areas inside the building, but not in class or outside.
All of this, of course, is contingent upon the 12- to 17-year-old age group being vaccinated, and upon the variants staying under control in our area.
