Is a return to class on Jan. 17 likely?
The first week of online learning is in the books and some students are looking forward to it continuing.
“I'm used to it because we've done it before, but it's harder for like, classes like math and stuff,” says Grade 11 Student Jasmin Martin, whose entire high school experience has been centred around COVID, she hopes to be back in class on Jan 17.
“I feel like it's good for us to be in person. I know it's hard with like COVID stuff, but like, it makes learning a lot easier for a lot of people,” she added.
Both teachers unions say their members want to be back in the class as soon as it’s deemed safe to do so, but John Bernans the president of the local Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) has concerns on the supply of N95 masks that have started arriving this week.
“Hopefully it seems that those will be ready for our members who are returning in person next week for a students who can't engage in remote learning, but I'm not sure that there is enough for everybody to go back on the 17th at this point.”
Craig Smith is the local president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), and he says it’s possible, although unlikely, that high school students could return before elementary students.
“The age of the students, there may be a higher rate of vaccination there...their class sizes are smaller, their spaces are bigger, they can more they can potentially physically distance in a way that we can’t.”
No decision is expected until next week on a possible return but both unions say the government has yet to consult with them about a return-to-class strategy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.

Canada's 'unprecedented' fire season linked to climate change, will be the new normal: scientists
At the moment, wildfires are burning across six provinces and one territory in Canada — and they’re still spreading in what’s being called an unprecedented fire season. While firefighters work tirelessly to battle the merciless flames and prevent further destruction, scientists say the wildfires are linked to climate change and that this will be the new normal.
Trudeau raises Poland's democratic backsliding as prime minister visits Toronto
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he raised concerns about reports that LGBTQ2S+ rights and democracy are under threat in Poland during a Friday visit with its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Toronto.
Air Canada says to expect further travel disruptions following Thursday's IT issues
Air Canada says travellers should be prepared for further flight disruptions as it works to return service to normal following a technical malfunction Thursday.
'Torch has been passed': What younger generations need to know about inheriting a family cottage
As more Canadians pass their family cottages down to the next generation, 'major shifts' in the ownership of recreational homes will occur, according to Re/Max. But amid concerns around the cost of housing, some may be wondering whether they can afford to keep that family cottage. Here's what younger generations need to know about inheriting a recreational property and the market today.
'Utterly disgusting': Canadian Army sergeant fined for 'anti-Jewish' comments
A 38-year-old sergeant in the Canadian Army was fined $3,000 and issued a severe reprimand after he made what a military judge described as 'utterly disgusting' anti-Jewish comments while conducting an infantry training course in 2021.
Poilievre tries to head off PPC vote as Bernier bets on social conservatives
Pierre Poilievre is off to Manitoba to rally Conservative supporters ahead of a byelection that Maxime Bernier is hoping will send him back to Parliament. The far-right People's Party of Canada leader lost his Quebec seat in the 2019 federal vote and lost again in the 2021 election.
Experts warn of 'rapid' growth of IBD as number of Canadians diagnosed set to reach 470K by 2035
The number of people in Canada with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly and is expected to grow to 470,000 by 2035, according to a new report from Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
Trudeau continues to stand by David Johnston despite calls that he step down
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is committed to keeping David Johnston in place as Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference, despite a majority of MPs voting in favour of his stepping down from the gig.