The Government of Saskatchewan provided the answers earlier this week that staff and students had been looking for since schools closed down on March 20. They announced the 2020-21 school season would go ahead as planned and schools would reopen in the fall.

Pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 schools will resume in-class learning when the fall term begins, which they said will be as early as September 1. Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant promised to have more details on guidelines for the reopening as early as next week. 

The Holy Trinity Catholic School Division will be re-opening along with the rest of the province's school divisions on September 1, and the Director of Education Sean Chase said the division is excited to be coming back.

"I think we've been excited all along what prospects lay ahead for September and we're certainly cognizant of the fact that the fluidity of the COVID situation could lead to certain changes as we get closer to September. We've seen how things have altered from community to community. The preface of the plan that we heard in the Minister of Education press conference earlier this week certainly gave cause for hope for everyone."

The division includes a pair of southwest elementary schools - All Saints Catholic School in Swift Current and Christ the King School in Shaunavon.

While certain aspects of school have continued through the last few weeks of the spring semester, Chase says online courses worked but wasn't ideal. 

"Having a group of students on with their teacher at a given time through a Google Meet is great, it served its purpose at this point, but it's not the same as having that group together. This time of year, not being able to have those take place I think would be a bit of a summary statement of what has been missed most."

Gordon Wyant added that returning September 1 may be the plan as of now, but like most of the government's plans, it can be changed based on COVID-19 cases in the province. Saskatchewan has seen its active cases drop to the lowest levels since mid-March this week. 

"While a return to the classroom in the fall is the scenario being planned for," the minister stated in a release, "there will be contingency plans in place in the event that there becomes an elevated transmission risk, and in-class learning cannot resume as planned, either regionally or provincially."

When pressed, Wyant said the contingency plans would depend on just how serious any COVID outbreak might be. It might include continued online learning as well as staggered class times. 

The province has said they will provide direction to all schools through the Education Response Planning Team, which includes representation from the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, the Saskatchewan Association of School Business Officials and the League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents.

"The Government of Saskatchewan’s priority continues to be the health and safety of students, staff, and caregivers," the release said. "The Chief Medical Health Officer will continue providing advice and recommendations as the planning and implementation process takes place."