[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]The BC Teachers Federation and B.C. Principals and Vice-Principals Association have been asking for the province to consider pushing back the start of the school year.Historically students in elementary schools have returned to their previous year’s class for the first few days and that will not be happening this year.Fleming says there is an advantage for staff to work in their learning groups to get familiar with new procedures including hand hygiene and other health and safety measures.Schools will also be working on improving ventilation and removing desks in some places to ensure physical distancing in the classroom..