The Saskatchewan government and the Saskatchewan Health Authority have provided guidance to school divisions to support the safe return to school and resumption of activities for students and staff.
Northwest School Division will continue to work throughout the school year with the local Medical Health Officer, to ensure the safety of staff and students, and make changes to the return to school plan, as necessary.
At this time masks are strongly recommended for all students, staff and visitors, regardless of immunization status. NWSD will promote a mask-friendly environment.
Safe Attendance | Illness in Care Students, staff, families who are ill should stay home. Communications NWSD will provide multiple modes of ongoing communication between school and home. |
Safe Transportation | Transportation Transportation will continue cleaning and disinfection as standard practice. Masks are strongly recommended for all students and staff in common areas, such as buses. |
Safe Access | School-day Structure No prescribed school-day structure is required. Visitors Limit non-essential visitors to school facilities. All visitors must register at NWSD facilities using the Contact Tracing form posted at building entrances. External user groups will not be able to access NWSD facilities for the duration of Semester 1. |
Safe Facilities | Facilities Masks are strongly recommended for all students, staff and visitors, particularly in spaces where it is not possible to maintain physical distance, such as hallways, washrooms, lunch rooms and libraries. For outdoor activities, such as recess or outdoor gym classes, there is no recommendation for students to mask. NWSD will continue to utilize enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocols. Hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout facilities, in addition to the permanent hand-washing facilities. |
Safe Classrooms | Masks Masks are strongly recommended for all students, staff and visitors. Hygiene Promote appropriate hand hygiene. Physical Contact There are no guidelines for physical distancing for students or staff. Instruction Full Saskatchewan curriculum will be taught by teachers. The Provincial Education Interim Plan provides guidance for this area. Assessment Provincial exams are optional for the 2021-22 school year. |
Safe Activities | Sports and Fitness Activities Resume regular activities. Dance, Drama, Band, Choir Resume regular activities. Extra-curricular Activities and Field Trips Resume regular activities. With the removal of public health orders in Saskatchewan, large events such as assemblies, guest events, and other similar events are permitted. However, SHA would advise that smaller event sizes are considered and alternate delivery modes are used where possible. An example to consider is if the weather permits and is appropriate, events should be held outdoors. Nutrition Programs Resume regular activities. Continue good practice of controlling areas where children are preparing food and/or eating (seated, hand hygiene, cleaning and sanitation of food surfaces, etc.). |
Other Items | Vaccinations Staff assume the shared responsibility of assisting one another in maintaining healthy and safe workplaces. Staff are encouraged to avail themselves of all Ministry of Health recommended vaccinations. Staff are encouraged to discuss the efficacy of recommended vaccinations with their personal health care providers. Anyone turning 12 this year and older is currently eligible for vaccines. Rapid Testing Continue to follow current practice. Contact Tracing and Quarantining The collaboration between the Saskatchewan Health Authority and schools will continue and will reflect the needs of the school as required. When cases are identified in schools, schools and school divisions will continue to be notified by public health officials in order to inform students and caretakers. Contact tracing will continue to occur, and unvaccinated close contacts may be directed to self-isolate as deemed appropriate by public health. |
A pdf copy of the plan is available here:
Fall 2021 Return To School.pdf