Jared Purdy

School is back in session next week and the Executive Director of the Tri-County Regional Centre for Education is sharing his thoughts.

Jared Purdy says they’re ready to go in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby counties.

“Everybody’s excited for a more normal reopening to the school year,” says Purdy. “The past couple years have been a little complex and challenging with the pandemic and while we’re not completely out of the woods yet this year certainly has a different feeling to it.”

He says the necessary ventilation upgrades to schools have been done and are being checked regularly.

Purdy adds they’ll support anyone who chooses to wear a mask and reminds everyone to stay home if they feel sick.

While other parts of Canada are dealing with teacher shortages, Purdy says their staffing season went well.

“We’re in decent shape. As always, we’d like to have more,” says Purdy. “We have a sub list that’s ready to go, we’ve got our retired teachers that are for the most part ready to come back and support us by subbing which is always much appreciated. We’re pretty happy with where we sit as far as our staffing goes.”

He adds they’re seeing an increase in student enrolment.

The TCRCE also saw new principal appointments late last year and through the summer at St. Mary’s Bay Academy, Digby Regional High School, Islands Consolidated School, Meadowfields Community School and Plymouth School.

Hear the full interview with Jared Purdy this Saturday morning on Y95’s The Weekender.