Planning Guide for 2021-2022 School Year - Provided by the Saskatchewan Medical Health Officers August 13, 2021 - Regina Leader ...
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Planning Guide for 2021-2022
School Year
Provided by the Saskatchewan Medical Health Officers
August 13, 2021Contents
PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR (COVID-19) ................................................ 1
Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 1
Preparation and Prevention .................................................................................................................. 1
Vaccination ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Screening ............................................................................................................................................... 2
Transportation ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Respiratory Etiquette and Hand Hygiene .............................................................................................. 2
Mask use ................................................................................................................................................ 3
School Arrival and Visitors ..................................................................................................................... 3
Classroom Dynamics .............................................................................................................................. 4
Lockers and Water Fountains ................................................................................................................ 4
Cleaning ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Consideration of Vulnerable Staff and Students ................................................................................... 4
Food Supply and Equipment Sharing ..................................................................................................... 5
Special Activities .................................................................................................................................... 5
Outbreak Surveillance and Management .............................................................................................. 5
Response and Mitigation ........................................................................................................................... 5
Case and Contact Management ............................................................................................................ 6
School Notifications ............................................................................................................................... 6
Testing .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Appendix 1: About COVID-19 .................................................................................................................... 7PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR (COVID-19)
Overview
As schools continue preparations for the 2021-22 school year, it is beneficial to recap the past years. The latter
half of the 2019-2020 school year in addition to the entire 2020-21 school year was unprecedented due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, with interruptions to school activities, the introduction of modified learning approaches,
enhanced environmental hygiene measures, and other significant impacts.
During the 2020-21 school year across Saskatchewan, there were 5920 school-associated COVID-19 cases, and
4980 of these had information available regarding their most likely source of acquisition. Of these 4980 cases,
we know that less than 15% acquired COVID-19 in the school setting, with most school-associated cases acquired
outside the school environment.
This relatively low level of in-school transmission may indicate that the control measures in schools worked to
limit viral transmission, implying that masking, enhanced hygiene, and physical distancing were effective.
Since the end of the school year, there have been significant changes in the COVID-19 landscape. Effective COVID-
19 vaccines have become readily available to all eligible populations (age 12 and older). The provincial public
health order, many public health measures and associated restrictions have been removed effective July 11,
2021. While case numbers and case rates dropped over the early summer, newer and more infective variants
have emerged, and cases in many areas begin to increase again.
It is important to take these factors into account when planning for the upcoming school year. There is an
increased risk due to the circulation of more transmissible variants of concern, which is especially significant to
unvaccinated persons, including those currently ineligible for vaccination (those under 12 years of age).
Conversely, the risk is somewhat attenuated due to reduced disease activity, driven by a combination of effective
vaccines and previous public health orders.
The goal of this document is to aid in a safe reopening of schools for 2021-22, with four main areas of focus:
1. Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all students and staff
2. Ensuring students remain in class full-time by minimizing COVID-19-related disruptions as much as possible
3. Continuing to implement public health fundamentals (self-screening, hand hygiene and staying home when
sick)
4. Monitoring and implementing additional public health measures as required by area or school epidemiology
The recommendations below may be revised as informed by the prevailing epidemiology of COVID-19 in our
communities.
Preparation and Prevention
Achieving a safe reopening begins with preparation and prevention. The public health preventive measures
demonstrably effective in the last school year remain valid and should be continued. These include:
1|PageVaccination
As noted earlier, safe and effective vaccines are now available in Saskatchewan for age-eligible persons (i.e.
persons older than 12 years of age). Public Health strongly recommends that every eligible person in
Saskatchewan receive a completed vaccine series, as this is one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves
and our community from COVID-19. Provincially, as of August 11, 2021, over 45% of persons aged 12 -17 years
have received a complete vaccine series, compared to 64% of the general eligible population. There is, therefore,
a need to increase the vaccination coverage among children and youth to ensure optimum protection; hence,
we advise that school divisions consider options to increase vaccine uptake in their schools in discussions with
local public health.
With children aged 5 – 11 years not yet eligible at this time, this age group continues to be at a higher risk of
disease and poorer outcomes. However, if this group becomes vaccine eligible in the coming months, rapid
vaccination of this age group could mitigate this risk.
Screening
Staff and students should continue the practice of self-screening for symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Going
into the fall months, there is expected to be an increase in respiratory illness; any respiratory illness should be
considered as possibly COVID and prompt testing is strongly recommended. The symptoms of COVID-19 are
included in Appendix 1. Symptomatic staff and students identified in school should be excluded immediately.
Transportation
The ideal mode of transportation at this time would be to use private transport (with parents or caregivers) or
walking to school, as this minimizes potential exposures that could occur on a school bus1.
In the absence of this, other options include cabs, school buses, and all city buses. If n school buses are chosen,
assigned seating is strongly recommended to streamline the contact tracing process and minimize potential
contacts.
Masks are strongly recommended during school bus rides by all occupants of the bus.
School buses may continue to run at normal capacity at this time.
Weather permitting, the windows of the buses should be open, allowing for improved ventilation.
Public health emphasizes the importance of vaccination for all eligible persons, including bus drivers.
Respiratory Etiquette and Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is one of the most effective strategies to prevent the spread of most respiratory viruses, including
COVID-19, particularly during the pre-symptomatic phase of illness2.
1 (BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) & BC Ministry of Health, 2020)
2 (Hospital for Sick Kids, 2020)
2|PagePublic Health advises that hand sanitizers be provided in each classroom. We also advise that soap dispensers in
the bathroom are maintained and paper towels provided for drying hands. We advise against the use of blow
dryers at this time.
We would also recommend that visual aids demonstrating appropriate hand hygiene techniques and cough
etiquette be displayed throughout the school. Public Health also recommends that children be taught how to
clean their hands properly using age-appropriate materials.
Finally, we recommend non-touch, lined disposal bins placed in convenient and accessible locations throughout
the school that will be emptied regularly.
Mask use
Public Health at this time strongly recommends mask use for all students, staff and visitors. Over the coming
months, public health will continue to monitor closely and modify this recommendation as needed. For indoor
events such as gym classes, choir and band practice, we suggest that where possible and practical, mask use be
promoted. Appropriate physical distancing is strongly recommended if masks need to be removed, i.e. lunch or
a gym class.
Regardless of immunization status, all persons are encouraged to wear masks as the possibility of disease
acquisition and transmission remains.
School Arrival and Visitors
At this time, staggered starts to school days, class times, lunch, recess and finish times are no longer
recommended; however, if school divisions can accommodate this, that would be a benefit 3. In addition, this
would reduce the amount of population mixing and would work as a form of cohorting.
With the removal of public health measures and restrictions, parents/caregivers can be allowed on school
property when dropping off students. The health screening recommendation for staff and students applies to
these visitors as well.
Similarly, with the removal of public health orders in Saskatchewan, large events such as assembly, guest events,
and other similar events are permitted. However, we 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. If indoor events occur, again assigned seating would be optimal
and physical distancing as much as possible. These measures are proven to expedite the contact tracing process
and decrease potential exposed contacts.
Non-essential visitation to schools is discouraged at this time; however, when these visits are needed, we
recommend that school(s) consider maintaining a log of all visitors to the school, including parents, visitors,
tradespersons, and other non-essential service persons4.
3 (Ministry of Education, 2020)
4 (Government of Ontario, 2020)
3|PageClassroom Dynamics
Public Health is not recommending limits to class sizes; however, we recommend that classroom cohorts remain
for students in kindergarten to Grade 6. We recommend cohorts specifically in these grades, as this age group is,
for the most part, not eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. The higher grades can continue to operate without
cohorting, but special consideration should be given to split grades such as a Grade 6/7 split that would contain
students not eligible for vaccination and would thus likely require cohorting.
In the lower grades, we advise a minimum spacing of one metre between students in classrooms. In the high
school setting, assigned seating is strongly recommended to again minimize the number of potential classroom
contacts. A seating plan is a useful tool in the contact tracing process.
Adequately ventilated classroom environments are associated with a reduced likelihood of COVID-19
transmission compared with poorly ventilated settings.
Lockers and Water Fountains
The use of lockers is appropriate; however, appropriate hand hygiene should continue to be observed at all times.
We also recommend that staff discourage unnecessary student clustering around the lockers. Again being
mindful to minimize the interaction between various cohorts has proven effective in decreasing risk of
transmission.
We support the continued use of water fountains, but only for bottle fill-up and not direct drinking. If direct
drinking cannot be excluded, we recommend disabling the water fountains 5.
Cleaning
Public Health recommends enhanced cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and shared teaching materials. This
is particularly relevant in practice-based learning situations where the sharing of learning items is unavoidable.
These should be cleaned using an approved cleaning and disinfecting process.
Consideration of Vulnerable Staff and Students
Persons with immune compromising medical conditions have poorer outcomes following COVID-19 infection.
Therefore, staff and students with medical conditions that place them at higher risk should consider not attending
in-person school at this time. School and school divisions should therefore consider making provision for remote
learning for affected persons.
Where this is not possible, we advise that efforts be made to create environments that mitigate the risk to this
group. This may include smaller class sizes and individualized staff and teacher assignments. Ultimately, this
would be a personal decision by the student, parent, caregiver, and/or staff.
5 (Government of Ontario, 2020; Ministry of Education, 2020)
4|PageFood Supply and Equipment Sharing
We continue to advise against sharing food, utensils, or other student-provided supplies in the classroom,
lunchroom, and cafeteria6. This recommendation also includes access to shared condiments like saltshakers,
ketchup, and other condiments.
Congregated lunchrooms are discouraged at this time, particularly for the lower grades. If the congregated lunch
are to be used, this should be limited to the higher grades.
Special Activities
Public health advises that library, laboratory, choir, band, before and after school programs, and other special
activities are allowed; however, mitigation measures, including ensuring adequate ventilation, optimal spacing
where possible, should be considered. Contact sporting activities are allowed at this time.
Outbreak Surveillance and Management
Absenteeism rates greater than or equal to 10% must be reported to public health immediately. We advise that
this threshold be considered using the number of students expected to be in attendance as the denominator and
not the number registered in that class.
During the 2020-2021 school year outbreaks were declared as a mechanism to enhance awareness of the school,
parents, community that COVID was identified in the school setting. Public Health will provide additional
guidance to schools for the 2021-2022 school year.
Response and Mitigation
Until now, we have considered prevention and preparation measures where no one is ill. This section deals with
the recommended public health response and activities where a staff member or student becomes ill.
The management of cases and contacts will differ from how we handled this during the 2020-21 school year,
mainly because vaccination status affects who is considered a close contact and the subsequent expectations
when an individual is exposed to COVID-19.
The Saskatchewan Communicable Disease Manual has revised the definition of a close contact. A close contact
is “Anyone who is not fully immunized and has had a close‐range conversation with a case or has been in settings
where a case engaged in singing, shouting or heavy breathing (e.g. exercise), without adhering to appropriate
individual‐level and setting‐specific risk mitigation measures”.
Close contacts to whom this definition applies would therefore need to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of
last exposure, and the communicable disease team will recommend testing. Because of the current vaccine
eligibility criteria, persons between 5-11years of age are more likely to be considered close contacts when
exposed to COVID-19 and thus require self-isolation.
6 (Ministry of Education, 2020)
5|PageCase and Contact Management
Case and contact management recommendations have been developed in light of the vaccine effects.
In the lower grades, where most students are not eligible for the vaccine, a confirmed COVID-19 case that
attended a class or other school-related events would result in close contacts, i.e. classmates and staff if
unvaccinated and determined to meet the criteria for close contact, being required to self-isolate for 14 days.
During self-isolation, remote learning would need to be considered.
In the higher grades, with vaccine-eligible students, the recommendation will be tiered. If a single case occurs in
a classroom or school-related activity, if an assigned seating plan can identify only those students within 2 meters
of the identified case, then contact tracing/vaccine assessment will occur of those individuals only. Notifications
would be sent as previous in 2020-2021. The fully vaccinated classmates identified can continue to attend class
as long as they remain asymptomatic. However, symptomatic vaccinated persons or unvaccinated classmates
and staff identified as close contacts would need to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of last exposure.
If a COVID-19 confirmed case is identified as using the school bus transport system, if assigned seating was
utilized, then contact tracing/vaccine assessment will occur of those individuals identified as within 2 meters of
the case. The same principles apply to assess being a close contact or not as the classroom process.
If additional unlinked cases are identified in a classroom, i.e. no history of contact is identified between the cases
or alternate acquisition is available, in addition to the above measures, mandatory masking and physical
distancing measures would be advised by public health.
If two or more linked cases are identified in a classroom or school an outbreak will be declared in the affected
classroom or school, and an alternate level of learning may be recommended for at least 14 days.
School Notifications
School notifications of potential exposures of COVID-19 will continue to follow established processes through the
school divisions, who will notify the affected school principals and staff. The assistance of school leadership in
the timely notification process of students, parents, staff is requested as proven to ensure prompt follow-up.
This collaboration has proven effective and can be attributed to appropriate communication to all relevant
stakeholders by providing calls and letters to the staff, students, parents, and bus drivers.
Testing
Early case finding remains a cornerstone of the COVID-19 response. Where cases are identified either in a
classroom, school, or bus, public health recommends testing for all exposed persons, including those who have
received a completed vaccine series. The drive-through test site remains open at this time, and testing options
in additional communities, and should the new COVID-19 case trend dictate this, onsite testing may be provided.
In addition, the antigen testing program remains available for use by the school and school divisions.
In conclusion, COVID continues to evolve and therefore if any questions please do contact your local public health
teams and Medical Health Officer.
6|PageAppendix 1: About COVID-19
COVID-19 is a dangerous disease caused by a virus discovered in December 2019. It is very contagious and has
quickly spread around the world.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold and may
include one or more of the following:
• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Muscle and/or joint aches and pains
• Sore throat
• Chills
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Conjunctivitis
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children)
• Altered sense of taste or smell
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
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