Students and staff with the Foothills School Division are back in class Monday, January 11 as planned.

FSD Superintendent Chris Fuzessy says they've made some updates, but no changes to their previous COVID-19 regulations.

"Those protocols that we had adopted at the beginning of the year were quite cautious by nature, working with things we didn't know a tremendous amount about, we have updated the handbook with some new information that has been received over the last few weeks but I wouldn't say there are any tremendous changes."

Fuzessy says they will stick with their online/in-class format and will continue to improve the situation for students using online learning.

"Looking at accessing if there are any gaps in learning using that online format, our teachers have become extremely skilled at that online format however it is not the same as having kids in front of you."

FSD has a laundry list of regulations to keep students and staff safe including the limitation of contact between staff members a restriction that Fuzessy says has been tough for staff and students alike.

"Part of why people enjoy working in the field of education is being able to connect with their colleagues, to sit and have lunch, to talk about instructional practice and learn from each other, the same goes for students, with kids cohorted out on the playground they have less access to talk with other groups of kids."

 

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