Ballantyne stated they understand remote learning is not optimal for most families and children, putting a strain on families. She said they have to be prepared that this may happen due to staffing shortages as COVID moves through our community. Schools are moving to level Orange in the Pandemic Response System effective January 17th and this will mean that students may be spread out to different spaces with different teachers to allow maximum distance between students. This means some programming options may be affected to allow those staff members to move into classrooms with students. She adds extracurricular activities will continue but may have some modifications.
Ballantyne also notes Manitoba Public Health is recommending three layer cloth masks be worn by students which can be two layers of cloth and a filter adding schools will continue to provide masks for students who do not have them.
