As summer comes to an end and students prepare to go back to school, the school boards are working hard to create a plan that ensures the safety of students, teachers and their families.

Last year schools used the quadmester system which divided the school year into four parts with two classes in each section. This system was used to lessen the contact between students and create a safer learning environment, but this plan earned a lot of criticism from parents, students and teachers. Many students found it hard to learn and do well with the short time frame of the course and some struggled to pick up concepts through online learning.

This year the school boards have come up with modified semesters for the plan. This allows students to go in-person everyday for the whole day. Students will have two classes a day and alternate with another two classes every other week. Through this we can hope to limit contact but also allow students to feel the classroom environment, and also give them more time to learn the content of their courses.

The plan to have these modified semesters is in hope that by the second semester the Ministry of Education will allow for high schools to have the regular four classes a day.

Although this plan offers more face-to-face time between students and teachers, encouraging an opportunity to build relationships and support an increased sense of belonging in class, many are still hesitant and do not think it’s the best plan. One problem that people face is the long class times. Since there are only two classes a day for a full school day, many are worried about how the long period in one classroom will affect the mental state of many students.

Even with the concerns, many are still excited to go back to school with a resemblance of something more normal. The Ministry has also approved other things like extra-curriculars such as sports and clubs. We look forward to the beginning of a new school year and wish everyone safety and good health.