Sask. considers options for returning back to school

A special provincial team is considering three options for when Saskatchewan students return to school in September.  

One option would be to hold a regular school year. Another would be online learning for all students. A third would be a hybrid of the two.

The province's response planning team (RPT) — made up of government officials, the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, school divisions and the business community — is expected to make a decision by the end of June.

Domenic Scuglia, director of education for the Regina Catholic School Division, said the group is still finalizing what these options look like. 

"If we go with the hybrid motion which I think, if people were betting, that would likely be the scenario we're going to be directed to do, we'll be leaving our school year in June with a plan to implement the hybrid model for September," said Scuglia. 

Scuglia said the division will re-evaluate closer to fall. He also said the team is "totally aligned" with directions from the chief medical health officer in the province and any decisions will be aligned with public health orders.

Representatives from Saskatoon's Catholic and public school divisions said they would be waiting for direction from the RPT.

Scuglia said he would personally like to see kids back at school in the fall, but he understands that may not be the safest option. 

"We are governed by this virus and the virus is going to determine exactly what we're going to be able to do or not do," he said.