Though no decision has been made, Pembina Hills trustees recently discussed the possibility of switching to a staggered start for the first week of classes in future years.
Schools in Barrhead, Westlock and elsewhere in the division adopted a staggered start this year to give staff more time to practice the new rules imposed on schools this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to build students’ confidence about returning to class.
Classes were originally supposed to begin on Sept. 2, but instead that day was set over for more professional development and planning.
Students in Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 then returned for their first day of classes on Sept. 3, while students in Grades 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 came back on Sept. 4.
A full resumption of classes then occurred after the Labour Day weekend on Sept. 8.
During the Sept. 10 board meeting, trustees accepted for information a letter from Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) Local No. 22 president Michelle Savoie thanking the board for choosing to delay and stagger student start-up dates.
“As you have recognized, learning new rules and expectations, along with the need to establish new routines, can be overwhelming. We are grateful to have the time to absorb the changes and establish those routines with our staff and students in a smooth, measured re-entry,” said Savoie.
Supt. Dave Garbutt added that in speaking with staff at the various community schools, they were all very thankful for the extra day to prepare and the staggered return of classes.
Besides giving staff more time to prepare, particularly transportation staff, Garbutt noted that the high schools were able to put on the orientation sessions they would normally have held in the spring had they not been cancelled due to COVID-19.
While he hadn’t had any parents reach out to him specifically, Garbutt indicated that local principals had commented that their parents were also appreciative of the staggered start.
“I would say that overall, it went across very well,” he added.
Garbutt said he would like to have a discussion with the board at some point about considering the staggered start in future years, adding that he believed there was merit to the idea.
Westlock North trustee Jackie Comeau said she had also spoken to a teacher about the staggered start and they had said it was also great for connecting with the kids, as the smaller class sizes meant they could spend more time with the students.
“They said that worked really good for them,” she added.
