SD-68 admits to gaps in NLPS Restart Plan

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Gaps in SD-68 return to school plan: The much-awaited safe return to school plan has been revealed by the Nanaimo Ladysmith School District. The 22-page document outlines what parents and students can expect when classes resume on September the 10th when it comes to cleaning protocols, mask-wearing, ventilation and how many students will be in each class. However, there are gaps that the administration admits may not be resolved by the time schools open their doors. It's not known how social distancing will be achieved on the school bus that transports high school students from Gabriola Island to the ferry. Two schools do not have proper ventilation systems so they will be forced to turn up the heat and open the windows this year. District Superintendent Scott Saywell says students in Kindergarten to grade 7 may not be assigned to their permanent classrooms or their learning groups before their first day of school.

"That is the bit of the challenge. We have a lot of work to do over the next few days before schools start up."—Scott Saywell, SD-68 Superintendent.

The plan says a spike in elementary school enrolment means those students will start the year with more online and remote activities until intake meetings and registration has stabilized. The District says specific plans for individual schools will be sent via email to parents in the coming days.

Island Health issues advisories regarding COVID-19 exposures: Today's COVID-19 numbers are slightly down today, with 62 new cases of the virus confirmed over the past 24 hours, including two in Island Health. There have been no additional deaths. Meanwhile, Island Health has issued two public advisories, warning people of possible COVID-19 exposures at two restaurants in Sidney. Anyone who was at the Ten Acres Market on August 20th or 21st or at Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe on August 21st or 22nd should monitor their health and if symptoms emerge, to self isolate and contact Island Health's hotline to make an appointment for a COVID-19 test.

Long term care survey: BC's Seniors' Advocate has launched a survey she hopes will shape a better future for residents of long term and assisted care homes. Isobel Mackenzie says she's heard from seniors and their families who question whether COVID-19 safety rules around visits are worth the damage being done to their quality of life. Mackenzie says it's urgent that seniors and their families have a say in how they will live out their lives under the pandemic.

"Time is more important for somebody in long term care and assisted living because frankly, they have less of it. And so I think as the magnitude of how long this is going to last starts to bear down, I think it becomes clear we have got to figure out something that is humane, that we can live with."—Isobel Mackenzie, BC’S Seniors’ Advocate.

The survey for seniors and their families can be taken online, by phone or through the mail. It is open until September the 30th and Mackenzie expects to have recommendations for the future of care home visits in October.