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Six Nations schools set to open for in-person learning DONNA DURIC
donna@tworowtimes.com
TWO ROW TIMES
OHSWEKEN — After a year and a half of remote learning, Six Nations students will be heading back to the classroom on Sept. 7 to learn among their peers. But things will look much different than they did in the pre-Covid setting. Masks will be worn throughout the day, plastic partitions separate student desks and students must be screened for Covid symptoms every day before heading to school. They will also go to school on alternating days in what educators are calling ‘cohorts’ to allow for physical distancing and there will be no ex-
tracurricular activities or assemblies. Regardless, Travis Anderson, Six Nations’ new director of federal schools, says it’s important kids return to classrooms for the social benefits it will have on their learning. About two per cent of students will remain learning from home, Anderson said. “In-school learning will provide our students with positive interaction,” Anderson told Six Nations of the Grand River elected council at a Tuesday night general council meeting via Zoom. Parents were informed which cohort their child fell in – A or B – which means they go to school on alternating days of the week to avoid overcrowding schoools. Anderson said in-person learning provides kids
with teacher support, access to technology, access to the Internet and a sense of belonging. “Our scools are a safe and caring space for students,” said Anderson. “Research has shown that children must work think and talk together. Learning must be viewed as a social endeavour.” In-person learning teaches kids the importance of collaboration, cooperative learning and even learning how to disagree, he said. Being with one’s peers is essential to build a sense of identity, he said. And obviously, he noted, conversation is much more effective in-person than over a Zoom meeting. “It’s really difficult to have conversations online on Zoom. Back in the classroom they can have those uninterrupted
conversations.” Before school starts, parents sign a ‘wellness agreement’ for their child to attend. There will be a maximum of 15 students per class. Parents and students must complete daily screenings for Covid symptoms and are advised to keep kids home if they exhibit any symptoms. Three masks a day will be provided for students. There will be plastic dividers between all desks, as well as increased cleaning throughout the day of high-touch areas. Masks must be worn at recess. Only essential staff will be allowed at school. There will be mask breaks throughout the day. The plan will be re-assessed in December. “These are things that will be adjusted as we move forward,” said An-
derson. Depending on the severity of Covid cases, schools could either fully re-open or be shut back down again by Dec. 3. Educators will meet with the Six Nations Emergency Control Group to make those decisions, he said. “At any point in time, we might have to move back to full remote (learning),” said Anderson. Buses will also follow increased safety precautions, including increased cleaning, physical distancing, and the mandatory wearing of masks. Schools are short of nurses at this time, even though Six Nations tried to hire more in light of the Covid pandemic. They are still actively recruiting school nurses.
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