Two area school boards have switched to staggered starts for their return to school plans.
The Near North District School Board and the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario (French public) will not be sending kids back on September 8, which was previously designated as the first day of class for students.
Jay Aspin, Chair of the Near North Board, says that the decision behind staggering start times was made to ease the back-to-school transitions for everyone.
“We wanted to give time to staff to familiarize themselves with these policies and ensure a proper implementation to avoid mistakes,” Aspin said.
The Near North’s reopening schedule is now:
Tuesday, September 8:
- no students
Wednesday, September 9:
- K-6 schools: Senior Kindergarten-Grade 2
- K-8 schools: Senior Kindergarten-Grade 2
- Grade 7-12 schools: Grades 7-8
- Grade 9-12 schools: Grade 9
Thursday, September 10:
- K-6 schools: Grades 3 and 4
- K-8 schools: Grades 3, 4 and 5
- Grade 7-12 schools: Grades 9 and 10
- Grade 9-12 schools: Grade 10
Friday, September 11:
- K-6 schools: Grades 5 and 6
- K-8 schools: Grades 6, 7 and 8
- 7-12 schools: Grades 11 and 12
- 9-12 schools: Grades 11 and 12
Junior kindergarten students will begin class on September 15.
The French public board sent a letter to parents on Tuesday outlining its plans for the staggered reopening as well.
The French public board’s new schedule for schools in the North Bay, West Nipissing and Parry Sound areas is now:
Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9:
- Students with special needs can visit the school by appointment only
Thursday, September 10:
- Grades 1-3
- Grade 7 for École secondaire publique Odyssée in North Bay
- Grade 9 for secondary schools
Friday, September 11:
- Grades 4-6 for École Publique Pavillon Héritage
- Grades 4-8 for elementary schools
- Grades 9-12 for the West Nipissing Public secondary school
- Grades 7-12 for École secondaire publique Odyssée
The staggered start for the French public board ends on September 14. Online learning for Grades 1-8 begins on Thursday, September 8.
The board’s website says that further information will be released for the start dates for kindergarten students.
