SD 58 preparing for return of students on Monday

Students in Merritt are almost set to return from an extended winter break, with public schools set to open on Monday (Jan. 10). Districts and schools were given an extra week to prepare for the students return as the omicron variant circulates the province.

SD 58 Nicola-Similkameen Superintendent Steve McNiven joined Q101 News to address the protocols being implemented to help keeps students and staff safe.

“It is very similar to what we’ve seen and when I compare it, it’s more similar to the beginning of the pandemic. A lot of the protocols are things we’re very familiar with, the health check becomes very important, hand hygiene, proper mask wearing, making sure we have as much spacing as possible in our facilities,” said McNiven. “Really a re-emphasis of many the things we’re well versed in.”

Other restrictions related to extra-circulars have also been imposed. Of note, the Ministry of Education is holding a press conference on Friday along with Dr. Bonnie Henry.

“We’ve got two items that we’re working on. One is the COVID protocols and response to the variant. Secondly is we’re still of the progress of flood response and that includes bringing our schools back online, and the alternate spaces ready in Merritt,” added McNiven.

Three schools were damaged in the floods, Merritt Secondary, Merritt Central, and Diamond Vale.

“We put out targets before winter break about returning to face-to-face learning. At this point we have all of our alternate locations secured and they’re being prepared this week. My expectation is that we will see students in face-to-face setting starting January 10,” said McNiven.

The School District will be sending out more detailed information out to families before the end of the week regarding both COVID protocols and alternate learning sites.