This year has been one of unprecedented uncertainty— Many have felt the painful sting of upheaval but arguably none more so than our community's students.
Since March students and their families have faced an unpredictable future because of the COVID-19 virus and the public health measures it has left in its wake.
It is commendable how families and the educators at Rocky View Schools have adapted to the ever-shifting reality created by the pandemic.
The end of August should be a mix of nervous excitement for students as normally they would be getting ready to return to school to see their favourite teachers and friends, or starting a new chapter in their lives as they transition from middle school to high school.
However, that experience will be wholly unique this year.
Rocky View School staff have been working tirelessly during the summer to help provide options to families and a semblance of stability.
Families now have three options for students' education— face-to-face learning in the classroom, online learning or home-schooling.
While it is important students were given these options to help alleviate their anxiety, we as a community can step up and help show students we are behind their return to school— However, they choose to do so.
Superintendent Greg Luterbach highlighted that the return to in-classroom learning will be a novel experience for students.
“It’s not your typical first day of school, but it’s not also your typical school year,” he said.
They will face new health measures in schools including the wearing of mandatory masks for Grades 4 to 12, enhanced cleaning techniques and arrows indicating which way to move down hallways.
“I would expect nervous and anxious is a term we would hear from many students on the best of times. Given how things ended in March and shifted suddenly we’ll expect more of that,” Luterbach said. “All those terms for students, staff have those same kinds of feelings.”
As a community, we can help alleviate the concerns of students and their families by showing our commitment to following COVID-19 public health measures.
By working together each of us can demonstrate that following these protocols is for the better of ourselves, families and friends.
We can show students that while it is OK to be anxious about the pandemic, following public health measures serves as a way to feel confident that we are keeping each other safe.
We can show students that while change can be scary, it can also be a good thing too.
Now is the time to step and give students and their families the confidence to return to school, regardless of the format they choose.
“Kids are pretty adept, but making it explicit and having some conversations to talk about it will be helpful," Luterbach said. "Empathize with your student that they likely will be nervous and wondering and understand that they have a great Rocky View staff who will be there to support them are excited to have students back in our buildings."
