Back to school in western Quebec, with precautions

Elementary schools reopened in much of Quebec Monday, but students will notice some significant changes to their routine as administrators try to reduce the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Everything from how students line upto where they sit and what they can do at recess needs to change because of COVID-19, school officials say.

"What we've been doing is setting up a new school," said Simon Leclair, principal of cole de la Fort, a French elementary school in Gatineau, Que.

"[It's a] completely different way to do things."

Quebec requires students staytwo metres apart at all times and, where possible, limits the number of students in each classroom to a maximum of15.

While the province has issued guidelines for physical distancing and proper hygiene, it's up to individual schools to figure out how to do that in practice.

Signs and tape

It'sa project that's required a rethinking of almost every aspect of the school day.

At cole de la Fort, students will arrive to see signs around the schoolyard telling them to stay twometres away from their peers. Which door they usewill depend on their grade.

Inside the classroom, desks are spaced apart from each other and each student'spersonal space is marked on the floor with tape.

Leclair said students won't be allowed to share writing utensils and books.

Teachers will use whiteboards to provide instruction as much as possible, Leclair said, as a way to cut back on passing around of papers.

Recess periods will be staggered to limit the number of students in the schoolyard.

"We're not actually that worried because, the kids, they learn really quickly and they've been taught as well with their parents to be careful," said Leclair.

WATCH: What parents of kids going back to school are thinking

Some elementary students head back to school in Gatineau

4 years ago

Duration 0:45

Parents who spoke to CBC News say their kids are excited about seeing friends and getting back to class, and that schools seem prepared for their return.

Parents anxiousbut ready

Rico Lavoiewatchedhis two kids, Flavie, 10, andSimon-Olivier, 12, board the school bus Monday morning.

"I was happy for them because I think it's important they get back to a normal life, they see their friends and have a routine that they can get used to," he said. "I think overall, it's what's best for them."

With relatively few active cases in the region, Lavoiesaid it wasn't a difficult decision to send his children back to school.

"I think there's very little risk and a lot of upside for them," he said.

Marie-Michelle Gauthier was more trepidatious about sending her nine-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, back to her Grade 3 class.

"I can't lie,I think I'm a bit anxious. I hope everything will go well. There's a bit of anxiety knowing, am I making the good choice if she gets sick? Then I'm going to have that on me, soI'm going to feel really, really bad."

Gauthiersaid communicating with the school and her daughter's teacher has helped ease some of her concerns, but she still plans to take the situation day-by-day.

"Tonight's going to be a big discussion to see how it went and how it's going," she said.

Planning every detail

Eldon Keon, principal of Gatineau's EnglishLord Aylmer School, said administrators and teachers at his school have tried to plan out every detail and anticipate the risks of every possible scenario.

Its common areasincluding the gym and librarieshave been blocked off. Any activities that requiresharingmaterials are forbidden.

Instead, students will be given their own jump ropes and arts supplies all of which will be sanitized before every use.

WATCH:How one Gatineau school bus company is getting ready

Heres how one Gatineau school bus company is getting ready to transport students again

4 years ago

Duration 1:16

Quebec bus companies like Campeau Bus Lines are getting ready to take students back to school starting Monday. Buses are being cleaned, protective screens are being installed for drivers, and the seats are being marked to ensure physical distancing.

"Rethinking [school] for reducing the risk of the spread of COVID-19 hasreally put everyone to the test," said Keon.

Class sizes at Lord Aylmer will be limited to seven students, Keon said, which is possible because only 13 per cent or less than 100 of the school's685 studentshave registered their intent to return.

• Quebec's move to reopen schools sows confusion, fear among parents
• Western Quebec schools prepare to open with few students

Keon said during the first week back there will be two teachers in every class. One willteach and the other willmake sure students are following physical distancing rules.

"There will be a learning process," said Keon. "As children start learning different ways of being together, I think it'll be a lot easier."

The Quebec government's decision to open up schools faster than many other provinces received some criticism. Critics argued the province which has the most COVID-19 deaths in the country was moving too fast.

But both Keon and Leclair said they are hopeful theprocedures they've developed willbe enough to keep students safe and offer much-needed relief for parents.

Older students won't be back inside schools until the next school year. Ontario's schools are closed until the end of May.

It's not just if schools should open, it's how they open, WHO says

4 years ago

Duration 2:57

The World Health Organization says there are many things to consider when deciding whether or not to open schools, including the intensity of coronavirus transmission in the community.