Parents, students and teachers were some of the concerned citizens that gathered on Friday morning in front of the Saskatchewan legislature calling for an improved safe schools plan from the provincial government.

Wearing masks and holding signs, people took part in a rally pushing for more protection and funding for students and staff when schools reopen in September.

Cecilia Prokop is one of the parents who joined in the socially-distant gathering with her eight-year-old daughter Elizabeth Prokop and three-year-old daughter Evelyn Prokop.

Prokop said she’s upset and disappointed by what the government put out for a plan on Tuesday, citing gaps in enhanced funding and safety protocols such as mandatory masks and reduced class sizes.

“I think the bare minimum would have been to mandate masks for staff, older students and any adults or community members. But they haven’t even done that,” suggested Prokop.

Cecilia Prokop (middle) with her daughters Evelyn and Elizabeth near her following Friday’s peaceful protest in Regina. (Photo: Moises Canales/620 CKRM)

She admitted if nothing changes with the government’s plan and they do not address their concerns, she is looking at homeschooling her eight-year-old daughter.

“I have immunocompromised family members and I am concerned for what it will look like if my daughter goes back to her school with the plan as it is right now,” said Prokop.

“Me and my husband are definitely considering homeschooling. I just wish we weren’t being pushed to this and I wish there was more accessibility being offered to families.”

Before the pandemic, she and her husband were looking at sending Evelyn to pre-kindergarten in the fall. However now she said they are no longer comfortable with that possibility.

Prokop added that over a dozen other parents she has spoken to are considering homeschooling their children, too.

As of Friday morning, an online petition on Change.org asking for the government to reconsider their school plan attained more than 10,000 signatures. Physical signatures were also being collected at Friday’s rally.