It seems the first few weeks of school in the Hanover School Division have gone well, considering the circumstances.

According to Interim Superintendent Shelley Amos, certain COVID-19 preventative measures have been so well received in some schools that the changes may be adopted permanently.

She cites staggered recesses as a good example. In many elementary schools, classes are let out for their breaks slowly over a longer period of time rather than all at once in sync with the buzzer.

“Now there is more access to swings and play structures and equipment than there has been before there are fewer challenges with playground squabbles between young kids,” Amos details.

However, she says not all health protocols have been positive.

“Making the protocols work based on the size and the grades of every school is different and unique in every case and that has probably been our biggest challenge.”

With public health officials still advising against large gatherings, and a growing importance given to the "cohort model", longstanding school year traditions continue to fall by the wayside.

Amos says her schools continue to struggle with finding ways to safely implement extracurricular activities and inventing replacements for now-cancelled events, assemblies, and concerts that would have typically lifted school spirit.

As she has done countless times this school year already, Amos commends those whose ongoing support allows the education system to function as smoothly as possible.

“I give a huge thank you to our parent community, students, and staff as well for making the best of a situation that none of us want to be in,” she says. “For the most part, it has been really positive.”