Manitoba's Education Minister reiterated Thursday that students will return to class on September 8. Kelvin Goertzen says teachers and staff will be back in schools nearly one week earlier, on September 2.

Manitoba Education has made public a 10-page document, called 'Welcoming Our Students Back - Restoring Safe Schools.' The document highlights reopening scenarios. Goertzen says that while the plan is for all students to return to classroom learning in the fall, Manitoba Education will provide final confirmation by August 1st based on public health directions.

The framework provides guidance for school divisions to develop detailed reopening plans to be submitted to Manitoba Education for three public health scenarios including:
• in-class learning with near-normal conditions;
• in-class learning, taking additional public health measures into consideration; and
• remote learning from home, with limited use of school facilities.

According to Goertzen, Manitoba is one of only three provinces to welcome back students into classrooms in June. Even though it was only on a limited basis, Goertzen says it was heartening and wonderful to see how excited the teachers were to have students return.

"For many children, we know that (COVID-19) has impacted their health in ways that we probably don't entirely even know yet," says Goertzen. "Not being able to be in school and disruption, the anxiety that may have been caused by that."

Goertzen says his government is very pleased to be able to move forward and welcome back students in September.

"This opportunity is not happening in all provinces," he says. "It is happening in Manitoba because Manitobans have done the right things to make it happen. They have done the things to put us into this position and we need to keep doing the right things."

Goertzen says while there will be additional measures in place such as increased handwashing and cleaning, they will stress more than ever that a student or staff member is feeling sick, they should not be coming to school. He notes parents now have two months to make a plan for what happens if they need to work, yet their child is home sick.

He notes because bus capacity may be tested in some areas, the province might be asking parents to consider driving their kids to school each day. A recent survey of parents showed that about fifty per cent of the more than 30,000 respondents suggested they would be willing to drive their child to school.

"The divisions may very well be asking the parents to enact that when we get to the fall," he says. "So think about that and plan for that as we get closer to the next school year."

The framework in the document released today, also outlines key considerations that should be addressed in the school and division plans including:
• ensuring schools can respond and adapt to changing public health orders and guidance;
• making sure any necessary physical distancing requirements can be met;
• considering the use of cohorts in classrooms, on buses and during activities to limit exposure to COVID-19;
• planning with a focus on in-class learning and establishing priorities;
• looking at ways to accommodate specialty programming and extracurricular activities;
• considering how school transportation can be safely offered;
• looking at blended learning options that can be implemented quickly;
• making arrangements for students, teachers and staff who may be at higher risk of COVID-19; and
• considering learning and assessment needs, as well as any educational gaps for students as a result of the pandemic.

"Things will not be exactly as they were last September when students come back to school this September, but we are in a very envious position compared to most places in Canada and many in North America," adds Goertzen.