Mandatory masks and assigned seating are among the changes students can expect on school buses this September.
Chatham-Kent Lambton Administrative School Services (CLASS) General Manager Kent Orr said mask wearing will be mandatory for students in Grades 4 through 12.
"It's just like it is in the schools and we're strongly encouraging all kids that are riding the bus to wear masks when they're on the bus," said Orr. "Drivers will also have masks on their face, they've got additional protective equipment that will be provided to them, face shields and gloves as well, in situations where they're in close proximity to the kids."
Orr said students will be assigned a specific seat for the entire year, and children from the same household or the same cohort will be seated together, where possible.
"We're going to give everybody a seating row assignment on the bus, no matter what grade you're in, that's JK right to 12. Parents need to go to our website, they can go into our parent-portal, they log in and see their bus information for their student after September 1. They'll be able to find what is my seating row for my child on the bus."
Orr said they will not be reducing the number of students per bus, but given their geographic area a lot of distance is covered and there are many buses with lighter loads and more space can be created between the kids. He said there are fuller buses but based on the routing they're fuller for only a short period of time before they get to the school.
Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols will also be in place.
Orr encourages parents to visit the CLASS website and familiarize themselves with the operating changes.
