A parents group is concerned the Nova Scotia government hasn't fully thought through the return to schools.

Students across Nova Scotia are set to resume classes following the Christmas holidays Jan. 10.

Co-chair of Nova Scotia Parents for Public Education Stacey Rudderham says the province has yet to address long-standing issues around air circulation, proper spacing for students, social distancing and releasing test results so parents can make informed choices whether to send their child to school.

“We want to see his kids back in school.That’s definitely something that, you know, everybody agrees on is that kids, as much as possible should be in school,” said Rudderham. “However, a lot of the issues that have existed throughout COVID have not been resolved in our schools.”

For Rudderham and her group, it's the lack of transparency and openness from officials that is most troubling.

“Last September, when government said they wouldn't be listing school notices for any of the schools, we started our list and our group and our group grew by thousands of new members within days because we were the place to come and get information,” said Rudderham. “Parents want to know what's going on in their schools.”

Nova Scotia is reporting 1,020 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday.

Rudderham questions why Nova Scotia is returning to in-class learning when other provinces are moving to an online model until the omicron COVID-19 variant can be brought under control.

She says education and public health officials need to consider there is more than just the school community at stake.

“It’s not just about if our kids are definitely going to get sick. It's about who else that, you know, maybe they aren’t going to get sick but who are they going to impact if they do carry it home?” said Rudderham.

A representative from the South Shore Regional Centre for Education declined to comment on what measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of staff and students, saying the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will share more information with staff and families about the back-to-school plan later this week.

Premier Tim Houston and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang will provide a COVID-19 update Wednesday at 3 p.m.

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