Parents urge P.E.I. government to release more details on back-to-school plan soon

Island parents are raising concerns about missing details in theprovincial school plans forSeptember.

Education and Lifelong Learning Minister Brad Trivers released the plan in the legislature on Thursday afternoon titledWelcome Back to School Plan, which has some information onwhat school will look like this fall.

Jody Gibbenhuck is a parent who'sbeen working from home as an essential worker throughout the pandemic and has found the circumstances of balancing work and being a stay-at-home momto be very challenging.

She saidshe is glad the educational department released a plan, but added that there isa lack of details in the document particularly around bussing and timing of his classes.

As a working parent, she will also haveto organize child care andtransportation to and from school.

"I would like them to give us a timeline, I would like them to give us information about when more information will be out,"Gibbenhucksaid.

The earlier the better, she added, saying that she'd like to know in the next three to four weeks, otherwise "after that is too late for a lot of information because we have plans we need to make as parents."

'We can't leave it until September'

She wants to see health and safety checks of students at school and saidshe is not satisfied with the Welcome Back to School Plansaying self-diagnosis will happen at home.

"There's not going to be any temperature checks, there's not going to be any questionnaires when you go into school," Gibbenhuck said. "I want to make sure it is going to be the safest environment for my child to be put in."

John McIntyre is a parent of three and two of his children are in school.

His concerns revolve around the academic support systems that are to be put in place.

"I would like to see more thought given to support students, different kinds of learners kids who are maybe further ahead, kids that need support catching up," he said.

"There are all kinds of best practices, developed elsewhere, we don't need to reinvent the wheel. We can't leave it until September when school is back."

Operational plans in development

While the document does say students with educational needs "are considered in this plan,"it does not provide details on what types of support will be organized.

Cory Thomas,the president of P.E.I. Homes and School Federation, said he is pleased with the release of the planbut said operational plans are still being developed for each school.

His biggest priority is the safety of children.

The plan was developed inconsultationwiththe Chief Public Health Office andthe documentstates there will be "enhanced cleaning practices" at schools as well as frequent hand washing protocols, signage, limited visitors and more.

"What I also like is they will have students in little cohorts, staggered lunches, recess, they'll be with that group a lot," said Thomas.

"I do feel though that once those operational plans are developed, parents need to know what they are. And the more communication to parents, the better."

Staffare expected to return on September 1 and students will return on September 8.

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