Back to school as classes start Tuesday for Fort McMurray students
Fort McMurray’s schools on Tuesday will welcome thousands of students who haven’t been back since their classrooms were evacuated after May’s wildfire.
Over the past few days, staff have been stapling displays to wall boards, cutting out signs and organizing lesson plans.
At Father Turcotte Catholic School it’ll be a first day like no other after a busy week of preparation, prinicipal Laura Dennis said.
“Every moment we are receiving resources, textbooks, furniture. So it’s been a very busy hectic week.”
Like most of the city’s schools, all its surfaces have been sanitized. Books, paperwork and posters that absorbed wildfire smoke were cleaned and in most cases dumped in order to meet strict health standards.
Cleaning companies stripped classroom walls of most artwork and school boards have had to purchase new posters, books and toys for classes.
Boards have also trained staff to provide mental health support to students.
“What we are looking for is children who have had difficulties playing — whether it’s sharing or crying easily,” said Monica Mankowski, assistant deputy superintendent of Fort McMurray Catholic Schools.
“Some may have difficulties separating from their parent when they are getting dropped off.”
School staff are ready to help students with mental-health concerns, says Monica Mankowski with Fort McMurray Catholic Schools. (David Thurton/ CBC News)
Father Turcotte is one of several schools absorbing surplus students from four other Fort McMurray schools that won’t re-open on Tuesday.
Some of those schools are in wildfire disaster zones like Beacon Hill and Abasand.
The city’s school boards have said they won’t be able to clean them up on time for the start of the school year.
Both the Catholic and public school boards estimate their student populations may decline by between five and 10 per cent.
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