How B.C.'s schools adapted to a pandemic

The novel coronavirushas upended daily life for billions of people around the world.

As theoutbreak of the novel coronavirus began sometime in December 2019, governments around the world began to adopt measures tostop thespreadofthe respiratory illness by limiting crowds and everyday social interactions.

Schools were among the institutions that faced massive change during this time.Here's how schools in B.C. have adapted to the global pandemic.

Jan. 28 | First case of novel coronavirusin B.C.

Health officials announce the first confirmedcase of novel coronavirus in B.C.,a person who returned from Wuhan, China, on a business trip.

Throughout January and the early part of February, there were few cases of the novel coronavirus, mainly from people returning from international travel.

Feb. 22 | Schools in Fraser Health region warned of possible exposure

While still in the early stages of the pandemic, health officials in B.C.'s Fraser Valley say contacts of aperson with a presumptive coronavirus case, a woman in her 30s who recently returned from Iran,may have attended school in the area, but that there is nopublic health risk in the region.

March4 | School trips abroad cancelled

Schools across B.C. begin cancellinginternational spring break trips due to concerns about the global spread of thenovel coronavirus.

The cancellations include a Vancouver School Board trip to France and Italy with20 students from Point Grey and Prince of Wales secondary schools. About a week later, on March 12, the entire country of Italy is shut down due to the pandemic.

March9 | Concerns over upcoming B.C.spring break

B.C.'s 2020 spring break was scheduled for March 16 to March 27, but concerns about the novel coronavirusprompts a private school inWest Vancouver school to start spring breakearly.

In the meantime, on March 12, Ontario announces an extension of its March break, saying public schools will remain closed until April 5 in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the province has no immediate planto close schools after the two-week breakbeginning on March 16, but will be reviewing the situation daily over the holiday and could change that decision.

March16 | B.C. spring break begins

March17 |B.C. K-12 schools suspended indefinitely

Education Minister Rob Fleming said the suspension of classroom instruction could last for some time, although he promises every student will receive a final grade. Officials startlooking at new methods foronline learning.

March 18| Provincial state of emergency begins

The federal government announces the Canada-U.S. border will be closedto non-essential travellers like shoppers and tourists as the number of cases continue to increase across the country.

On March21, the B.C. Ministry of Health orders personal service businesses, such as barber shops, hair salons, nail parlours and tattoo shops, to shut down immediately.

March 30 | Teachers return to work, post-spring break education plans unclear

At the end of the spring break, teachers are back at work, but students are not expected back in class as remote learning options are created.

B.C. hasn't put forward a concrete plan for a return to school, like its neighbours Alberta and Washingtonstate, leading to anxiety and confusion.

The Ministry of Education asked individual school districts to have learning opportunities in place no later than mid-April. The province launches a website calledKeep Learning BC to outline how it plans to continue to deliver its curriculum to students virtually.

April 8 | School for children of essential workers open

At least 19 school districts openprograms forelementary-agechildren whose parents are working inessential sectorsincludinghealth care, law enforcement, emergency response, transportationand food production.

Many daycares remain open throughout.

April 14 | Education minister says schools tore-open before end of school year

Health officials confirm just 45 new cases in a 48-hour period, marking the lowest increase in daily cases since March 6.

Education Minister Fleming says it is possible schools will re-open before the end of the school year. Opposition critics say B.C.'s online learning options have lagged behind other jurisdictions.

April to early May | More schools re-open for students

As the education system moves online, some parents express frustrations that their children are falling behind due to specialized learning needs or lack of technology.

The Vancouver School Board opensin-school instructionfor students with "exceptionally high learning needs,"although attendance is voluntary.

In some parts of the province, teachersreturnto classrooms. For example, in Prince George, teachers are expected back on-site as of May 11.

May 7 | Province details return-to-school plan

The province releases a five-stage plan detailing the steps to a full school re-opening.

May 15 | Provinceannounces part-time voluntary return to class for June 1

B.C. Premier John Horganand Minister Flemingsays some children will return to classrooms on a part-time, voluntary basis beginning June 1.

The gradual reopening will apply to all students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Some parents are lukewarm about the possibility.

June 1 | School re-opens partially

Thousands of students return to classfor the first time since the pandemic forced schools to close in March. B.C. is among the only provinces staging an in-class school return.

The Ministry of Education says more than 157,000 kindergarten to Grade 12 students or nearly 30 per cent of all students in those grades went back to school.

June 18 |Independent school suspends classes after case of COVID-19 confirmed

After a staff memberatan independent school in the Fraser Health region tests positive for COVID-19, theschool endsin-person classes for the rest of the school year as a precaution.

Dr. Henry says that children are unlikely to pass COVID-19to each other, but should still keep social interactions limited to small groups.

June 25 | Last day for students before summer

As summer begins, questions remain aboutwhat school might look like in the fall, and what other logistics like after-school child care for example need to be finalized.

Premier Horgan saysparents should prepare for a full return to classrooms this fall, but also have a backup plan in case the COVID-19 pandemic forces further closures.

July 29 | Back-to-school plans announced, most students expect to return in fall

The education ministerannounces most B.C. students from kindergarten toGrade 12 will return to school in the fall, divided into cohorts or "learning groups. Theprovincial government is putting up $45.6 million to help ensure safety measures.

Aug. 11 |B.C. shiftsto phased-in school restart

Beginning on Sept. 8, school staff will meet withtheir schools' joint health and safety committees to get instructions on plans to prevent transmission of COVID-19.Students are expected back in the classroom by Sept. 10. The staggered start time is to allow teachers to prepare logistics before students return.

Aug. 17 | B.C. school mask policy revealed

Amid concern from parents and staff about the use of masks after provinces like Alberta and Ontario issued their own mandatory mask policies the provincial government announcesall staff and students in B.C. middle and secondary schools will have to wear masks in areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

In-class mask use is not mandatory, nor is mask use for elementary school students.

Two days later,the B.C. Teachers' Federation calls for smaller classsizes and stricter face mask regulations when schools startup again next month.

Aug. 26 | Final school district plans revealed

Aug.26 marksthe deadline for all 60 school districts in B.C. to have their return-to-schoolplans available to parents.Fleming says he is impressed by the "thoughtful, innovative approach" many districts were taking in addressing concerns.

Surrey, the province's largest school district, reveals a quarterly semester system for older students whose learning group cohorts will changeevery 10 weeks.

In the meantime, some parents argue for an option to allowstudents to work onlinefrom home without losing their spot in the school they are enrolled in.

Aug. 31 |Dr. Bonnie Henry ad prompts criticism

An advertisement with Dr. Bonnie Henry standing in a classroom in front of six physically distanced children attracted harsh criticism from some teachers, who say it presents an unrealistic view of the measures taken to prevent COVID-19.

The provincial health officer responds by saying it wasn't meant to be a representation of what schools will look like in September.

Sept. 3 | Minister Fleming outlines how federal funding will be spent

Education Minister Rob Fleming says the $242 million in federal funding earmarked for reopening B.C. schools will be given to school districts to spend based on their needs.

He says the money can be used to purchase personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies, modifyteaching spaces and improve ventilation.

It will also help in the purchase of software, computers and textbooksfor families, as well as the creation of Wi-Fi hubs and mental health supports for students and staff, the minister added, saying there was no "one size fits all" approach.

The provincial government also puts in $2 million for mental health programs.

The BCTF has its own suggestions on how the federal funding should be spent.