District responds to photo of large gathering of students outside Surrey school

Sep 11 2020, 7:22 pm

The Surrey School District has responded to a photo of high school students that was taken on the first day of class this week.

In the photo, a large cluster of kids with what looks to be no physical distancing between them appears to be lined up and waiting to enter Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School.

According to district spokesperson Ritinder Matthew, the photo was taken as the Grade 8 students arrived for their health and safety orientation.

“The school did have safety protocols in place for student orientation and staff were in the entrances providing masks and sanitizer and reminding students to maintain their distance,” Matthew told Daily Hive. “We did adjust logistics before the afternoon cohort arrived, and dispatched staff outside to enforce distancing and direct traffic to the appropriate entrance.”

Matthew said that going forward, “we will continue to ensure that all of our students understand the importance of physical distancing, and their responsibility in following critical infection control practices. We know that these are new behaviours for our students, and we’ll continue working with them and their families to learn these new protocols, which include maintaining physical distance, regular hand washing and wearing a mask when in common areas.”

Matthew added that schools will also be reminding students “to only enter and exit the school from the doorway closest to their classroom and not congregate in common areas.”

Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer

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