By John Francis,
Bruce Peninsula Press
After two years of serious disruption, Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS) is back, offering a full program of in-class learning. Enrolment is the highest it has been in many years — 210 students in the elementary grades and another hundred in secondary. Staffing is also increased, with a total of 28 people working in the building, including eight new teachers. In fact, BPDS was the fastest-growing school in Bluewater District School Board from 2018-20 and probably will be again this year.
There are COVID protocols in place, to be sure, but staff and administrators are hopeful that no further limitations will be required.
In that spirit of hope, the Legendary Outers Swim Test was held after school on Friday, Sept 10 (see article and photos on page 20). The senior chemistry class will be taking its annual trip to Killarney from Sept 27 to Oct 1, continuing a lake-monitoring program that was inaugurated about 30 years ago.
Athletic programming is coming back to life slowly. Principal Brenda Brewer emphasizes that she is watching government and Board announcements on a daily basis, waiting for clarity. She is determined not to promise something and then have to shut it down again.
The school’s COVID protocols are a balance of rules and freedoms. Indoors (and on school buses), all students except Kindergarteners are required to wear masks. Kindergarten students are encouraged to wear them. Students are not required to wear masks outdoors, although they are encouraged to maintain physical distancing. Staff always wear masks indoors and on buses; outdoors they can take the masks off, but must put them back on to talk with students at close quarters. It sounds confusing, but the swirl of activity at end-of-school on a Friday afternoon showed a high degree of willing compliance by all concerned — staff and students alike seemed delighted to be back.
