THUNDER BAY – Planning is underway to bring back before- and after-school programs at Thunder Bay’s public and Catholic schools, with some major reorganization to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In a joint release Friday, the District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB), Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Lakehead Public School Board, and Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board outlined some of the principles guiding a safe relaunch of the service.
There is no indication yet, however, of when programs might launch.
The first phase of reorganization involves assigning as many students as possible to a B&A program within their own school. The previous model saw children from various schools attend together.
“Continuing with this model would mix children from multiple school cohorts and create additional opportunities for COVID-19 to spread,” the agencies explain.
The agencies say they will place children in care in their own school “whenever possible.” Students won’t be guaranteed a space at the school they attend, however – that will be dependent on locations and staff available.
For B&A programs not housed within a school, the agencies say their goal is to limit the number of schools sending children to one or two at most. Again, however, they say it’s an outcome that can’t be guaranteed.
A second phase of reorganization will involve determining additional schools that could be licensed for B&A programs where childcare operators may be able to offer service.
The statement warns caregivers the reorganization will be an “iterative process” that will take time to implement, and could involve disruptions to B&A care.
Families will be contacted by childcare operators once locations and other details have been determined.
“Our collective goal is to ensure smooth transitions between home, childcare, and school, while keeping everyone safe and minimizing the opportunities for transmission of COVID-19,” the agencies say.
