Theatre, music, choir, and the abundance of co-curricular offerings that make up Ridley's dynamic programme have now been further enhanced with the evolution of our digital platform. This technology, along with our mitigation strategies, will allow for both in-person delivery and remote participation in activities—engaging more members of our community, more often.
In our campus facilities, we have developed comprehensive plans related to capacity, flow, enhanced sanitation and hygiene, and daily schedules. In terms of physical activity, we will explore a phased approach that is responsive to provincial legislation, the climate of the pandemic in the Niagara region and Ridley’s robust community screening and hygiene practices.
In Lower School this means:
- Grade-level outdoor recess and play will be enjoyed multiple times daily, in compliance with our cohorting plan and adhering to physical distancing recommendations for children. These will be supervised by Lower School faculty.
- Regular physical education classes will be held with specialist teachers: these may evolve from physically distanced individual pursuits to small side games, depending on the health status of the Niagara region.
- Multiple days of co-curricular sport and activity will be enjoyed with sport coaches. These may evolve from physically distanced individual training, to small team practices and game-like situations, to regional sport competition, depending on the health status of the Niagara region and that of our competitors.
In Upper School this means:
- Morning and afternoon recreational (Sport for Life) and competitive sport sessions may evolve from physically distanced individual training, to small team practices and game-like situations, to competitions, depending on the health status of the Niagara region and that of our competitors.
- Regular physical education classes will build sport skill competency and confidence, develop coaching and sport leadership, and influence our community in positive ways.
- Interschool sport matches and travel will be based on the health status of Niagara and our competitors' regions. Our diverse sport associations have developed a variety of schedule options that could include regional and interprovincial play. The CISAA has contingency plans which include altering schedules and moving sports out of their traditional seasons, in order for student athletes to enjoy the benefits of competition.
When it comes to physical activity, there is no remote or virtual replacement for the needs of the mind and body. We all need to be active, engaged and creative—Ridley’s plan endeavours to ensure that our community continues to safely reap the rewards of an active lifestyle.