The Lambton Kent District School Board has reduced elementary class sizes to enhance physical distancing for September's return to school.
Superintendent of Education for Early Years Elementary Program Ben Hazzard said the board has taken a significant amount of money from its reserves to hire over 20 new teachers.
"We've reduced our elementary class sizes where we're able to have 20 to 24 in our kindergarten classes, which is a significant reduction, there's approximately 20 in our primary classes, and we have lowered our junior and immediate class sizes as well for the safety purposes."
Hazzard said unnecessary furniture has been taken out of classrooms to provide more space, and recess, lunch and transition times will be staggered to support physical distancing among students and staff.
He also reminded parents that they have until Friday, August 28 to provide a final decision to the board about whether or not their child will be going to school, or learning online.
"For in-person student learning with enhanced safety measures, what we've been able to do is ensure class sizes will remain in that reduced area. Students who are going to do the learn-at-home with our virtual school, are going to be enrolled in another school that we're going to be able to provide more focused support, more connections."
To view the school board's "Reopening Our Schools" plan, click here.
-With files from Sue Storr
https://soundcloud.com/blackburnradio-sarnia/covid-19-update-lkdsb-superintendent-of-education-ben-hazzard-aug-26-2020
