It’s back to school this week for students across Manitoba.

Schools have been busy taking steps to make sure classes are spaced and students are distanced as much as possible.

Turtle Mountain School Division Superintendent/CEO Grant Wiesner says they excited to have students back. “School is about relationship and the relationship between students and teachers. I’m so glad we’re back to in-person learning.”

“We reviewed our classroom spaces where we were approaching two meters, where we needed to make some changes and we had to make some changes. We moved some classes but for the most part we had been working to that two meter distancing since September.”

When it comes to being safe and trying to limit any spread of the virus Wiesner says it’s about the fundamentals. If students or staff feel sick stay home. “Do the online screening tool and if it warrants going for testing then go for testing” said Wiesner.

This time around how schools handle covid cases will be a little different.

“There are changes to how schools report cases and collect information. We will collect information to the best of our ability and we will continue to be in contact with public health to make decisions if we have to make a class self isolate or a cohort go remote or things like that. We’re working towards that but things will look different in how we do contact tracing etc.”

Sports returned to schools this week. “Our gyms can hold 50 per cent capacity and all spectators must be fully vaccinated and there will be checks prior to games. Hockey games will be at the arenas and we are moving forward with our extra curricular activities as before.”

“When it comes to staffing we’re looking pretty good. As for substitutes it has been a bit tough but we’re able to make things work. It’s a challenge some days when you have to phone three or four people to find a sub but that’s kind of how this school year has rolled” said Grant Wiesner.