Despite the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the Delta School District will continue with the semester system for all seven public schools for the 2022/23 school year.
In a notice to parents this week, superintendent Doug Sheppard said that after analyzing recent feedback from parents, students and staff, the decision was made to not change back to a linear system.
Originally, five Delta public secondary schools followed a linear system and two followed a semester system.
In the last couple of years, all seven schools shifted first to a quarter system, then to a semester system to help navigate the challenges of the pandemic, explained Sheppard.
“As much as there is significant optimism that we will not return to the COVID-19 safety measures seen in the previous two years, it is not yet clear when we will be entering the endemic phase of COVID-19 and adjusting to a 'new normal'. This uncertainty, combined with the survey feedback, which indicates there is a considerable need to engage and consult further before making any long-term decisions, had led to our decision, which at this point in time, is for the next school year only,” stated Sheppard.
He also expressed thanks to school staff for their “herculean efforts” to implement and adapt to significant scheduling changes in the midst the pandemic.
