“I have never seen my kiddo so happy,” says Courtney Tizzard, mother of a nine-year-old daughter who attends Chris Hadfield Public School. “She is so happy to be back in the class routine”.
Before the September long weekend, parents and teachers expressed many concerns and mixed emotions over the back-to-school plans presented by the Ford government.
But since the students return to classrooms last week, many of those worries have been eased as parents and students flowed into a new system.
“I have seen the protocols in place first hand and I’m happy with the effort the school is putting in, trying to keep everyone safe,” expresses Marylou Silva, mother of Sophia who entered Senior Kindergarten this year at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School. “She was so excited to have her own desk [and] made new friends and practiced wearing a mask."
Parents shared their children’s first week experiences at school on social media, reporting that overall their kids were happy to be back in school to see their friends, and most importantly, that wearing a mask did not interfere with their social agendas.
“She loves her teachers… she talks about her ‘triangle bubble’ which is three desks pushed together in a triangle so she is facing some friends,” describes Silva about her daughter's experience back in the classroom. “Pick up and drop off has been organized and everyone is respectful and keeps their distance with masks."
Although the feedback has been mostly positive for kids who returned to in-class schooling, some changes have been made to protect the students within the walls of the schools.
For example, water fountains have been disabled to eliminate the possibility of spreading germs, and students have staggered lunches and recesses. Pick up and drop off has been reorganized to only allow students into gated areas (depending on the grade), and many hand sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the school and inside portables. Gym classes have also been scheduled outdoors to accommodate social distancing (weather dependant).
But despite these changes, students (and parents) could not be happier with their decision to return kids to school in person.
“The girls loved it!” reports Jessica Crossan, mother of four girls. “They were so excited to see their teachers, friends and be part of their community again.”
Silva adds “I’ve seen high touch areas like door handles disinfected by custodial staff and teachers disinfecting materials after they are used."
The new principal of Fieldcrest Public School Scott Young sent out an email to parents expressing how great the first week of school went.
“I just wanted to say thank you and congratulate all our Fieldcrest Students and Families on a fantastic return to school this week! We thank all of you for your patience, respect and kindness as we all navigate this new process together."
Separate from the new school routines however, some concerns were raised by parents over the busing system in place.
“My only issue is with the bus,” expresses Genna Colucci who has three children, two of which are twins in SK. “My kids [were] not sitting together, and from the email that was received by the consortium it states there are three children to a seat. I have emailed and phoned the bus company and have complained to the principal. I have been driving [my twins] daily and picking them up and have been told that many other parents have been doing the same as they are not comfortable sending their children on the bus."
The Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC) provides transportation for approximately 35,000 students out of a total 77,000 students enrolled in local school boards. In a report sent out to parents, the SCSTC mandated students from grades 4-12 must wear a face covering, and Kindergarten to grade 3 are encouraged to wear a mask. Assigned seating was mandatory for all busers, and drivers are expected to follow “enhanced cleaning protocols for frequently touched surfaces”. This includes handrails and seatbacks, twice daily.
Colucci’s efforts to keep her family-bubble together on the bus eventually were responded to by the school’s principal who took additional steps rectify the situation, but Colucci feels the SCSTC has not implemented proper protocols to keep students safe while being transported to and from the schools.
“In my personal opinion, I feel the bus company has done absolutely nothing aside from have their drivers wear face shields and face masks… how is thee [students] to a seat social distancing?”
Highschool students have been experiencing different routines since their return to classrooms with reduced courses, leaving some students displaced and either spending more time at home or at part time jobs.
“Normally students would be taking their four courses a day but with Covid-19 they take two from now until November ‘til February,” notes Erika Mackie, whose daughter Kyla started grade 9 this semester at the Bradford District High School. “Kyla started with dance last week… and this week is family studies and it changes with these two every week."
Parents who have chosen to keep their kids home have not started their online instruction yet. The planned start date for both the public and Catholic school boards is Monday Sept. 21.
