The Saskatoon Public School Division is planning for all possibilities this fall when it comes to a response for the pandemic. The Deputy Director of Education, Charlene Scrimshaw, says it’s too early to know what the situation will be in the fall, but they will be ready and are including extra one-year term staff to help with the challenge of getting the learning back up to speed for those who have had challenges.

Scrimshaw says for some families and students it has been challenging with online learning and some children may not have attended Kindergarten, so they may need extra help. Ten teachers will support early literacy skills at classrooms across the division. Six outreach workers will connect with families and students to see if there are any barriers so they can be eliminated.

There will also be a person to support the work on anti-oppressive, anti-racist education, and a coordinator to oversee all of the different aspects of the response to getting past the pandemic. Funding has been provided by the Education Ministry.