Smooth start to Ellerslie re-opening

IT was an uneventful and smooth start for students and staff at the Ellerslie School yesterday morning.

The Barbados Advocate visited the St. Michael educational institution on its first day of re-opening and observed mask-wearing students approaching the gate to have their temperature taken and have their hands sansitised.

Ellerslie students returned to the school compound after a two-week closure due to the initial report that a female student tested positive for COVID-19.

In contrast to the first day of school on September 21, which had parents standing by the entrance, there were no waiting adults on the exterior. But The Barbados Advocate spoke to one arriving parent, who is originally from Washington, DC and she believes the school is doing a great job.

Yesterday, the young mother was dropping her daughter off as it was her first day of school. The American explained that in her state, schools were closing down again due to an outbreak.

She revealed that about 1,000 students had tested positive with coronavirus in one school environment. She added that due to this challenge, hybrid or blended teaching was not an option there. She also indicated that her daughter had not been in school since March and the young student was excited to start the school term.

School at 50 per cent capacity

Acting Deputy Principal of Ellerslie School, Ronald Leacock, explained that fifty per cent of students were on the compound and this included all year levels. The school roll is around 940 students. He noted that students will be taught using the blended approach (in-class and online learning) and all protocols are being observed.

The educator said that he is not aware of any concerns from parents and he reassured them that the school is safe. He referred to the two tested students and noted that no other student had tested positive due to the school following the protocols.

“Parents can feel safe that we have put things in place and once their children do the right thing, that is distance themselves, wear the mask and follow the rules that we have set down, then everything should be safe,” said Leacock.