Mi'kmaw parents relieved school postponed for 2 weeks at Sipekne'katik First Nation

The parents of seven students enrolled at a Mi'kmaw school in Sipekne'katik First Nation say they're relieved community leaders have postponed in-school learning by two weeks, to continue preparing measures to address COVID-19.

Ina news release Sept. 1,Sipekne'katik First Nation staff saidthe postponement of classes at L'nu Sipuk Kina'muoKuom [LSK], which teaches children from primary (kindergarten) to Grade 12, was to "ensure the health and safety and to observe provincial school openings" which began Sept. 8.

"That was a relief," said Rose Michael, of Sipekne'katik.

"I think the leadership is doing what they should be doing because I don't feel they were ready to bring our kids back into school and I still don't feel they're ready."

Rose Michael and her husband Curtis have 12 children, whose ages range from four to 41. Seven of the childrenlive in their home on the reserve, and all but one child, who's requested to be home-schooled this year for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus, will be attending LSK.

Michael said she's concerned the most about younger children whowon't be required to wear masks all day at school, and who may have a difficult time following the strict public health measures.

"It's cold season. At that age, they get sick very easily. If one comes home, do they all come home," she said.

"I know they're doing the best at the school, but part of me doesn't want them to go back. Part of me wants them to stay home, do things the way we've been doing it."

Curtis Michael said they're happythe bandpostponed the reopening.

"With the other [provincial] schools that are opened, if there's a bug in the system, at least our school will have a chance to ... rectify that before it happens in our community."

Teaching kids about 'respecting the virus'

LSK typically accommodates around 200 students and 70 staff members. This year, school administrators have hired two additional custodial staff for cleaning and sanitizing and recently released an educational video for community members that covers a number of other measures to protect against the coronavirus at the school.

Sipekne'katik First Nation gets set for school

4 years ago

Duration 4:07

Sipekne'katik First Nation gets set for school

The plans include sanitizing and social distancing procedures in classroom "bubbles" and common areas, keeping older and younger students isolated to different parts of the building, body temperature monitors at the school entrance,and the integration of new technology to allow students to learn from home in the event of an outbreak.

"I think the most important reason for students to return to school is not education, it's for their mental health," said LSK principal Kelly Oliver.

"Staff are taking professional development on mental health before school starts we'll be educating the students [about] respecting the virus. I wear my mask to respect you, and you wear your mask to respect me. It's really looking at that notion of respect," she said.

Planning ahead

Stuart Knockwood, Sipekne'katik's emergency management officer,said thestrategyat LSK has mirrored thehealth and safety approachin the community since the pandemic began. He washired in July,butsaid he was pleased with progress the community had made already.

"Our health department came out with a presentation for all employees, and they were able to nail everything down that we actually had to do, looking at [the] plans for provincial schools," he said.

'It's a multi-layered approach that includes everything we can do, to the best of our abilities."

Knockwood saidwhile communities across the countryare allunsure what's to come,Sipekne'katik leadershiphasplans in the event of an outbreak.

Theyincludekeepingup to four emergency contact numbersfor students,trainingeveryone at the schoolto use laptops they may be providedto learnfrom home, and stockpiling up to a year's worth of sanitation and safety equipment.