The Northern Lights School Division is requiring all students and staff to wear masks for the upcoming school year, until communities reach a 70 percent vaccination rate threshold.
The School Division released its 10-page school plan Thursday.
“Mask use for students in Pre-K to Grade 12 is mandatory. Mask use for all staff is mandatory. All students and staff will continue to mask until such time as vaccination rates reach 70 percent,” said the plan.
There will be no limits on class sizes, but it’s recommended that classroom cohorts remain for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6.
“Special consideration should be given to split grades such as grades 5-6 split that would contain students not eligible for vaccination and would thus likely require cohorting. It is preferred for staff to have students to not face each other, unless all students and staff in the class are fully masked, and there is sufficient ventilation in the room,” explained the plan.
In order for students to participate in full extra-curricular activities, they will have to be fully vaccinated. “Students not fully vaccinated can participate in school-based activities in limited capacity with individualized skills training sessions/practices only. Students not eligible for vaccinations can participate in extra-curricular activities provided the following safety measures are adhered to: masking, cohorting, physical distancing, and limited numbers with activities that are focused on individualized skills training sessions/practices only,” states the plan.
Sport competitions are not permitted at this time. All staff and volunteers wishing to participate in extra-curricular activities must be fully vaccinated. Large events such as assemblies, guest events and other similar events are not allowed.
Students will be encouraged to fill water bottles up at the fountain as direct drinking will prohibited. It is not recommended that students share food, utensils and other school supplies.
“Students must eat lunch in their own classrooms. If students are eating in common areas or lunchrooms, then cohorting/staggering is recommended,” reads the document.
Schools will continue to contact trace and notify the community of confirmed COVID-19 infections.