masks can be removed temporarily for phys ed, as long as two metres is maintained between cohorts. masks can also be removed to eat, which was also allowed last year.
school boards or public health units can also introduce their own mask rules, either making them more restrictive or, moore suggested tuesday, loosening rules in areas with a low incidence of covid-19.
for elementary kids, school will look a lot like last year
elementary children will again be asked to stick to their cohort, or class, which is the usual practice for younger children anyway.
specialists, such as french immersion teachers or educational assistants, can continue to go into elementary class cohorts, including working at multiple schools.
recess will be more free. kids will not be required to stick with their cohort, although “distancing should be encouraged between cohorts as much as possible,” the plan says. and they can share basketballs and other equipment, as long as appropriate “hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette” is maintained.
the strict rules on cleaning last year meant that some playgrounds and equipment were not used.
sharing equipment and spaces
next year, other types of equipment — from computers to books — can also be shared.