'Happy dance' combined with hesitation as kids return to school
A snowstorm delayed the return to schools for thousands of students in the region, but in London most made it to class Monday.
It was the first day back after a post-Christmas break delay caused by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Outside Sir Issac Brock Public School in London’s west end, Grade 3 student Emmaleigh Fair was literally doing a happy dance on some ice.
Her father Matthew Fair felt confident sending her back after two weeks of online learning.
“We’re pretty happy it’s going in the right direction here. She needs a social setting. I find most kids do,” he told CTV News London.
Parent Erica Swanton was a bit more hesitant after she and some others in her family battled Omicron over the holidays.
“The first couple of days were tough,” she said.
Still, she opted to return her son Aidan to class.
“He’s excited to be back. He’s missed all his friends, so I think it will be OK.”
Parent Erica Swanton is seen shortly after dropping of her son, a Grade 2 student at Sir Issac Brock Public School in London, Ont., Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
The return to class comes with some added precautions. At Riverside Public School, in the city’s west end, Grade 2 teacher Marcy Dilamarter reminded students about protocols.
“We haven’t been together for a month, and it’s like we were together last week. They came in, knew what they were doing, they remember the different protocols we have when we are dealing with what we are dealing with right now.”
But there are new tools available to educators to protect themselves and their students from the virus.
They include available N95 masks for teachers and available three-ply masks for kids.
In addition, more HEPA air filters are in place within the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB).
But its director, Mark Fisher, concedes there are still not enough of them to accommodate every classroom.
“We have 1,500 HEPA units currently. They are distributed to every single kindergarten class in the district, every self-contained special education class, and every school that has passive ventilation. And our next layer will be those classes where there are medically-approved mask exemptions.”
For now, class spacing remains the same.
Enough comfort for most, but not all parents.
Riverside Principal Kristin Lynds has been taking calls from parents opting to keep their kids at home.
“We’re happy there is an option for them to do a short-term virtual learning program and so those parents are able to reach out and speak to me as the principal.”
But as most opt to send their kids back, Lynds says there is one thing every educator is noticing.
“Oh, we can see them smiling, even with the mask on. We can see it in their eyes and feel their energy.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.