“We are happy to have the students in the hall,” stated Williams. “It’s nice to see people using the building and also good to have some help with expenses as the division is covering the rent in the hall.”
According to minutes from the Southwest Horizon School Division, Souris School returned to their fall schedules, attending classes in person on a 50% basis at the Souris Glenwood Memorial Complex on January 18, as the province did not extend the period of remote learning. Staff members began working from the Complex last week to ensure Internet connectivity and other logistics were in place for the students’ arrival.
Souris School principal Guy Williams says that the process of moving from remote learning to in-person classes at the Community Complex has, for the most part gone smoothly.
“We did have a few glitches with buses and some scheduling issues but once we got that sorted out, things have been good considering what we’re going through,” remarked Principal Williams. “Everyone, parents, students, teachers have been amazing and supportive. We have been through four teaching models this year and it’s not even half over yet!”
Indeed, the learning experience for Souris School students has been unique. As Williams explained, there is a two metre distance rule so the school is filled to capacity, every available space turned into a classroom. With the two metre rule, the kindergarten to grade eight students take up about two classrooms each where there was one before. The high school students grades 9 - 12 are at the Complex unless they are back for art, wood class, or tech.
“There’s a bus that runs back and forth between the Complex and the school every hour,” explained Williams. “With the exception of the gymnasium, we are filled to capacity. There isn’t one extra space here at all.”
When asked if he felt this would be the new normal for the rest of the year, Williams said that he couldn’t see a change coming.
“I think that with all the work we’ve done to get to a working model, we wouldn’t change back for the year. I think we’re here for the duration.”
Principal Williams is grateful for the support he’s gotten through the transition and especially to the teachers and students who’ve had to learn new methods and be flexible as the situation unfolds.
by DARCI SEMESCHUK, Recorder Staff