some parents say the announcement didn’t alleviate their concerns. kath stevenson’s six-year-old son hugo is immunocompromised, and she worries the plan doesn’t carry enough financial muscle to ensure his safety.“when it comes to kids at risk and teachers at risk, i see a very vague statement about needing to create a solution, but i don’t see what that could be without additional funding,” stevenson said.“instead of starting with a slow re-entry and seeing how it goes, we’re going all the way there right away.”ministry of education spokeswoman carly rathwell wrote that the government will highlight “generalized information” in days to come so students and parents know what to expect.
“as the situation with covid-19 in saskatchewan is fluid, school division plans may be updated and adjusted as needed, as accounted for within the four levels of the saskatchewan safe schools plan,” she wrote. barring a change in the government’s plans, many parents said they’re either planning to homeschool their children or arrange for distance education.sun west distance learning centre superintendent darren gasper said his organization received roughly 600 inquiries about online learning options on the day the safe schools plan was announced, compared to an average of 15 to 20 a day.last year, sun west’s enrolment was 1,100 students. gasper said the centre, which arranges online education for k-12 students in “every corner of the province,” now has more than 200 kids on the waiting list and is considering hiring more staff.saskatchewan home based educators director rod amberson said members of his organization are being “bombarded” with questions about homeschooling.“i think when the children were sent home in the spring, it gave a lot of parents a chance to imagine what home-based education would look like for their children, and i think that’s why we’re seeing so much interest just now,” amberson said.dr. mary kinloch, a physician working in saskatoon, said she is even considering hiring a teacher for her children and others from four other households so she can maintain a small “bubble” of people and contacts. she said she may also help fundraise to support her school’s infection control measures.“i have full faith that the teachers at my children’s schools would make that happen because they are amazing,” kinloch said. “i feel like if they were given just a little support, they could make that happen.”couros said he doesn’t want to keep his kids home. the youngest, in grade 1, is missing out on important social interaction while the eldest, in grade 11, is missing out on “the best and worst times” of high school.he and kinloch said they worry most about other parents and students who feel uncomfortable about going back to class but don’t have the flexible hours or income to afford alternatives.kinloch said school will inevitably bring more risk, but preventative measures will mean fewer cases, fewer outbreaks, and peace of mind for kids and parents.“i’m pretty sure the honeymoon period of them playing throughout the pandemic is over. they need to go back to school.”
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