Seven Oaks School Division
Restoring Safe Schools
Planning for Student Success
Upon the Return to School

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 Will my child be at school 5 days a week?
 Children in Kindergarten through Grade 8 and students with special needs will be inclass full days, 5 days per week.
 Grade 9 to 12 students will return on a blended basis. Most high school students will
attend on alternate days in order to facilitate social distancing. Students in internships
and CVE programs will attend more frequently.
 Schools will communicate specific scheduling arrangements the week of August 31 st.
Will students, teachers and staff be required to wear a mask at school or on the
bus?
 All students in Grade 5 and up are expected to wear masks when they are unable to
socially distance. They are required to wear a mask on school buses. Younger
students may wear masks.
 Reusable masks will be provided to all students without charge. Disposable masks will
be available on buses and in classrooms for students who forget to bring their mask.
What will school be like for Kindergarten to Grade 8 students?
 For Kindergarten to Grade 8 students classroom life will be as close to normal as we
can make it. We will arrange furniture so there is more social distancing (a meter of
space between students) and ensure more handwashing. We will be cleaning more,
going outside more and bringing more fresh air in. We will be restricting contact
between classes so that your child’s class is their in school bubble.
 We have an advantage in Seven Oaks in that we keep class sizes low (around 20 in
the early grades and usually no more than twenty-five in middle years).
 We will be avoiding large gatherings like assemblies and concerts. We will stagger
lunch, recess and activity breaks so that we can limit contact. We will be organizing
entry and exit in order to avoid crowding.
 Teachers will be focussing on where students are at and developing learning plans that
help students who missed the benefit of in-person instruction and challenge those
students who thrived on remote learning.
 At the beginning of the year teachers will pay a lot of attention to the basics of keeping
safe (staying home if you are symptomatic, social distancing, handwashing, wearing a
mask, cough etiquette).
 As the year progresses teachers will focus on the essential skills students need to
progress academically and the social skills they need to get along in the world.
What will high school be like?
 Most high school students will attend in person every second day and learn at home on
the alternate days. Half of our students will attend days 1, 3 and 5. Half will attend days
2, 4 and 6. Schools will communicate details the week of August 31st. Exceptions to
this will be students in CVE programs and students in our Met Schools where they are
in internships, distinct cohorts, out of school facilities and some in school facilities large
enough to permit physical distancing.
 At school, students will follow a normal class schedule and will be required to maintain
a physical distance of two meters from others as much as possible. We will avoid large
gatherings like assemblies, concerts and large scale sporting events.
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At home, students will be expected to engage in learning activity prescribed and
supported by their teachers for the full school day. This will vary by subject and
teacher. All of our high school classrooms are equipped with webcams so that teachers
can teach students in person and online at the same time. Students will also be
engaged in practice work, reading, assignments and project work while at home.
Schools will lend tablet devices and assist with connectivity as required.
Staying home when symptomatic, social distancing, frequent handwashing and mask
use are keys to safety for high school students. Teachers will give students strong and
consistence guidance.
Teachers recognize that some students thrived in the period of remote learning and
some did not. They will be adapting their courses to support students who need
support and challenge students who need that challenge.

How will my child get to school?
 School buses will be running in September for those students who are eligible for
school bus transportation but their capacity will be limited. It will be helpful if parents
transport their own children where possible. Students living in walking distance should
walk to school.
 Schools will be implementing protocols to ensure that entry and exit from the school
are managed to avoid congestion. Parents who are transporting their children must
drop and pick up their children a block or two from school.
 Transportation arrangements will be communicated the week of August 24 th.
How far apart will they be sitting from other students on the bus?
 When possible, one student per seat is recommended. However, children from the
same household and students in the same in-school cohorts may also sit together on
the bus.
 Students will have assigned seats on the bus and must stay in those seats while on the
bus.
 Frequently touched surfaces will be wiped down between runs. Buses will be cleaned
and sanitized each day.
Will class sizes be reduced to allow for physical distancing and if so will extra
school space need to be converted to classrooms (e.g. gyms)?
 High School classes will be reduced in half with students attending alternate days.
 Kindergarten to Grade 8 schools will physical distance to the best extent possible,
including the use of alternative spaces like multi-purpose rooms. We will make use of
the outdoors as much as possible. Class sizes will not be capped as public health
advice does not warrant reducing the number of students to a specific number. Seven
Oaks schools will continue to maintain reasonable class sizes.
How far apart will they be sitting from other students at school?
 Two metres of physical distancing is the public health recommendation. When this is
not possible, students will remain within cohorts to reduce exposure to others. Cohorts
will distance themselves from other groups to limit exposure. In these instances there
must be at least 1 meter between students as they sit at their desks.
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Seven Oaks schools will enforce physical distancing of 2 meters at high school.
Cohorts will be used for Kindergarten to Grade 8 students. In most cases the
Kindergarten to Grade 8 cohort will be limited to student’s homeroom class.

Will there be screening for students before they enter the school?
 Students and staff will need to self-screen at home, before going to the school. Parents
and caregivers are responsible for their own child’s self-screening. School staff may
conduct screening at school.
 Parents and caregivers will be provided with printed and online tools for screening.
Will hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies be provided or should they bring
their own?
 Hand sanitizer, hand soap and necessary cleaning supplies will be provided at the
school.
Will there be special breaks for hand washing and desk cleaning?
 Staff and students will wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20
seconds at the following times:
 At the start of the day and before going home.
 After going to the washroom.
 Before preparing food.
 Before and after eating.
 After getting hands dirty.
 After wiping noses or handling dirty tissues.
 After coughing, sneezing or blowing nose.
 After cleaning tasks (staff).
Will additional cleaning and sanitization be implemented?
 Increased frequency of cleaning and sanitization, particularly high-touch surfaces and
common/shared areas, will be implemented.
 Commonly touched surfaces will be disinfected frequently, at least twice daily.
 Ample hand cleaning supplies will be available at all sinks in washroom and kitchen
areas.
Who is going to clean the desks after each day?
 Custodial staff will be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting at the school.
Does my child have to go to school?
 School attendance is mandatory in Manitoba. All students are expected to participate
fully in learning, even when remote learning is required.
 Remote learning will be in place only for students who have been medically advised
not to return to in-class learning due to COVID related risk factors.

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 If they stay home because they feel sick how are they going to get their
assignments?
 Classroom teachers will support the development and provision of at-home learning
packages for students who are isolating or quarantined.
If they are home for an extended period how do they keep learning if they don’t have
access to a computer?
 Seven Oaks will continue to assist families with tablet devices and internet connection.
High schools will set up common spaces as study halls for students on their off days.
If parents are uncomfortable with the risk of having their kids attend in classroom
do they have the option of asking for virtual learning opportunities or extra tutoring
resources?
 The safety, health and wellbeing for all students, staff and families has been a guiding
principle in our planning.
 Optional virtual learning is not an option. Public health has determined that it is safe to
resume in-class learning while following public health guidance for screening,
enhanced hand hygiene, physical distancing, the use of cohorts and outbreak
management, which is paramount in keeping as many students as possible in schools
this fall and throughout the pandemic.
 Remote learning will be in place only for students who are medical advised not to
return to in-class learning due to COVID related risk factors.
 School staff and administrators will continue to support students in their return to inclass learning. Mental health and well-being is critical to returning to in-class learning
plans. Regular check ins and informal assessments will play an important role in
supporting transitions.
Is there going to be recess?
 Yes. Lunch and recess breaks will be staggered in order to facilitate social distancing.
Will students eat lunch at school? Is there going to be cafeteria service?
 Kindergarten to Grade 8 students may remain at school for lunch. Lunch and recess
breaks will be staggered throughout the day and whenever possible children will be
kept together with their class or cohort during these breaks.
 Students must bring their own lunches. Schools will continue to offer breakfast and
lunch programs with necessary adjustments to ensure health guidelines are in place.
Schools will have no-sharing policies in place. High school food services will operate
on a limited basis consistent with health guidelines.
Will my school shut down if there is a positive case identified in the school?
 Decisions about school closures will be made on a case-by-case basis with public
health leading the response and providing guidance, including ensuring appropriate
supports are in place to coordinate the response.
 Public health will advise staff and students if they have been in close contact, if they
need to self-isolate or self-monitor and when they can return to school.

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 What happens if a child in their class tests positive? Will we be notified as parents?
 In the event of confirmation of a case of COVID-19 connected with a class, public
health will lead the response and provide guidance, including ensuring appropriate
supports are in place to coordinate the response. Public health will advise staff and
students if they have been in close contact, if they need to self-isolate or self-monitor
and when they can return to school.
Would my child then not be allowed back into school for 14 days if another student
tests positive in their class?
 There is no single answer to this question. Public health will take the circumstances of
the individual situation into consideration and provide direction on a case-by-case
basis. Public health will assess the amount of contact and risk of transmission to inform
these decisions.
Can students use playground equipment?
 Yes, outdoor activities are encouraged and outdoor spaces and playground structures
can be used.
 Public health advises that playgrounds and play structures are low risk for
transmission.
 Separate containers of equipment will be maintained for each class or cohort and
equipment will be cleaned between recess periods.
 Zones will be marked to manage group sizes and avoid contact among groups.
Will there be gym class?
 Physical education will continue with necessary modifications for physical distancing.
When possible it is likely that this will occur outside.
Will there be music and choir?
 Schools will ensure that they follow the Guidelines for Vocalists and Instrumentalists
and recommendations of the Manitoba Music Educators’ Association.
Will there still be sports teams?
 Sports teams may continue as long as the school ensures they follow up-to-date
information regarding Manitoba’s Restoring Safe Services Sports Guidelines.
 We have posted the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association Guidelines for return
to play on the division website.
Are they going to have as many electives in High School as usual?
 Schools will do everything they can to offer a rich and full program for our students.
Will there be provincial exams?
 A decision about Grade 12 provincial tests will be made and communicated by the end
of September. This will depend on the public health situation and the extent to which
students are able to access in-class learning.

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 Will they still be sharing a locker with another student?
 Students are encouraged to keep personal belongings with them when they return to
school. Locker use will be limited or discontinued.
Will there be sharing of books in the library?
 Schools are able to operate libraries. Schools will undertake increased frequency of
cleaning and sanitization throughout the building, particularly where there are hightouch surfaces and common/shared areas.
Is the library even open?
 Individual schools will make this determination as this space may be needed as an
instructional space to accommodate physical distancing of students.
Will in-school child care facilities be requiring masks and/or operating at reduced
capacity to allow for social distancing?
 Current Early Learning and Child Care Practice Guidance (June 2020) advises that the
use of non-medical masks (cloth or homemade masks) within child care settings is not
recommended. However, some staff and children may choose to bring and wear a nonmedical mask while in the centre. Masks are not recommended for children under two
years of age.
 Also, as of June 1, 2020 licensed child care centres, including facilities in schools, can
continue to provide care for up to 24 children. Larger centres with separate rooms and
external entrances can accommodate up to 24 children per room. Home-based child
care providers can also continue to operate with the number of children for which they
are licensed.
 Schools will work cooperatively with child care centres to ensure that these centres can
continue to operate.
Are visitors and volunteers allowed to be in schools?
 Schools will minimize visitors and volunteers at school facilities. When their presence is
necessary, visitors and volunteers must first self-screen and adhere to physical
distancing and hygiene practices in place for students and staff. Community use of
schools will be restricted with the exception of child care centres operating in schools
and programs that serve our students.

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