Thread by @ryanmeili

THREAD: Today we’re calling on the Sask. Party government to get serious about plans to reopen schools in September.

We’ve laid out seven essential requirements for a safe back-to-school plan. #skpoli #sasked

ndpcaucus.sk.ca/saskatchewan_n…

It’s so important that we get this right. The first priority for the safe reopening of schools during the pandemic period has to be the safety of children, teachers and education staff.

Health Minister Reiter has failed to manage the pandemic effectively, with inadequate testing, inadequate preparation, and no clear plan for safe school reopening. This has left parents flying blind as they prepare to send their kids back to school.

That’s why we’ve set out seven key requirements for a safe reopening plan, based on consultations with teachers, parents, and healthcare professionals:

1. FIX COVID-19 TESTING. Testing & tracing capacity must be in place to ensure any outbreak is identified and dealt with swiftly. Parents and teachers shouldn't face testing delays of a week or more. We need daily reports on how many people are waiting for tests, & for how long.

2. SMALLER CLASS SIZES. Even before COVID-19, classrooms were far too crowded and understaffed. We can't send kids back into the same crowded conditions in the middle of a pandemic. The government must lower class sizes with appropriate funding and planning in place.

3. DEDICATE FUNDING. With cases rising, now is the time to assign dedicated dollars to ensure safe school transport (including safe busing) & appropriate staffing (including substitute teachers and educational assistants), with enough capacity to ensure smaller class sizes.

4. PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON OUTBREAKS. Provide clear procedures for what to do when students or staff test positive or have symptoms. Ensure processes are in place to quickly communicate potential school-based or community-specific outbreaks to families.

5. PLAN FOR A PHASED APPROACH. This means planning for different scenarios, including:
Low case counts, allowing for full in-person learning;
Increased community counts requiring hybrid instruction models;
High caseloads, requiring a return to home learning for most students.

6. PROVIDE FOR ALTERNATE & DISTANCE LEARNING. Address the digital divide, ensuring all students have access to technology and resources for any distance learning. We also need clear guidelines so students with special needs are not forgotten or excluded in a return to school.

7. PROVIDE ADEQUATE PPE, as well as clear guidelines on mask use. Funding needs to be clearly identified so that every school division is able to provide PPE and increased sanitation work. We also need clear guidance on mask use & the distribution of PPE in schools.

Without clear guidelines & resources in place, the Sask. Party is downloading responsibility to schools & school divisions. Scott Moe needs to take these sensible steps to protect our kids and the entire province at this extraordinary time.