Mixed reaction in the north to remote learning continuing until September
There was mixed reaction to news this week that remote learning would continue until the end of the school year.
Margaret Jones has four kids at home in Gore Bay and three of them are school aged. She said it has been tough.
"It's frustrating, it's so stressful and I've noticed my 14-year-old -- she's in Grade 9 -- this was her first year of high school and for a lot of kids it's a 'make-or-break' year," Jones said.
"She's not liking it. She had a couple of months in school and she loved it and loved the chance to meet new people and going back to online learning, it's been pretty lonely for her."
Jones said the Internet has also been a challenge. With so many kids online at one time, bandwidth becomes an issue.
"I think we (Manitoulin Island) are getting mushed in with everyone else, we're pretty isolated up here," she said. "I think we've been doing what we're supposed to be doing and we're getting punished for the big cities ... it is what is and there's nothing we can do about it."
And she's not alone. This was clearly not the answer a lot of mothers were looking for in the region.
Terri Lynn Leighton has two children in high school, and one of them is graduating later this year.
"I think we knew it was coming -- I mean it is June and there's only a few weeks left," said Leighton.
"Of course I'm disappointed. My kids enjoy going to school, that's where relationships are formed, they miss their friends, they miss their activities. My kids do well at school so I'm very fortunate that way and it's been a little more challenging with online for sure."
The Gore Bay mom said her heart breaks for her Grade 12 student who wants to return this year for her final few weeks in high school.
One of the hardest things for her daughter was the fact that there are, so far, not any graduate pictures taken of the class. Up until very recently, pictures of all the graduates have adorned the walls of Manitoulin Secondary School.
"It broke my heart to know this class is being deprived of a grad photo," said Leighton. "Yes, I can take a picture of her in a cap and gown, but it's the school and not having that togetherness of the classroom."
"Personally do I think it's a good call. For Manitoulin? No. I think that our schools are safe for the kids to go back, but I also realize that you just can't isolate from one school to the other."
Union officials like Chantal Rancourt, president of Sudbury's Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, said the solution is far from perfect, but it was the best given the state of the pandemic
"Had we done things differently in the fall of 2020, I don't think we would be needing to make a decision as was made today," said Rancourt.
Rancourt said they like the idea of teachers and students being given extra time to get their vaccines before they return to class in September.
"Everyone will look at this as to how it affects them personally," she said.
"Every child has dealt with the online learning differently, every child has different needs, every teacher has a different style and different needs so there will be mixed reaction. Every parent has a different situation and some can't afford to take time off with their children so it will be a mixed reaction and I think that's natural and normal."
Norm Blaseg, Rainbow District School Board's director of education, said it's disappointing that kids won't be coming back, but it was done with good reason.
Blaseg said health and safety has to come first.
"I think part of that is having children come back and weighing that against kids staying home, the mental health piece, one would hope with the nicer weather and kids can be outside according to the new guidelines, if they're outside and physical distancing, hopefully that will help with the mental health piece," he said.
He said board doesn't like remote learning -- it's not the way they've been trained to teach, but it's something they've had to do to protect children.
"It's a necessary evil and sadly we'll have to carry that out for another four weeks, but at the end of the day, we'll be in a much better position for September," Blaseg said.
As it stands now, the Rainbow District School Board is planning for a return to the classroom in September. It's also planning for other eventualities, but it is looking forward to resuming in-person learning.
Blaseg said as far as the premier's request for outdoor, in-person graduation ceremonies, that came as a surprise.
"That came out of left field so we will have to take that back and take a look at that. I'm on record back in February saying that we would be doing virtual graduations," he said.
He said they're going to continue with the virtual ceremonies, which have been in this works for months. He hopes to have a decision on the premier's request no later than next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Feature Report What's the best advice for Canadians with renewing mortgages? More than 50 brokers weigh in
Over the next year-and-a-half, 44 per cent of all mortgages will be up for renewal in Canada. To help guide consumers through these uncertain financial times, CTV News reached out to more than 50 mortgage brokers across Canada with a list of questions. Their answers provide professional guidance for individuals and families searching for clarity and sound advice.
Bread, milk, apples: Federal NDP wants price cap for grocery store staples
The federal New Democrats want a price cap on grocery store staples if the Liberal government can't convince grocers to bring down the prices themselves.
DEVELOPING Israeli strikes kill 11 overnight in Gaza, including a family of 3 at a refugee camp
Palestinian health officials in the Gaza Strip said Israeli strikes killed at least 11 people overnight into Tuesday, including a family of three in the built-up Bureij refugee camp and eight police officers in the central town of Deir al-Balah.
National Bank of Canada seizes Ont. woman's car by mistake
A university student woke up one morning to find her car had been towed away without warning. She finally got answers - just not the ones she expected.
North Korea's trash balloons deepen tensions with the South. Here's what's happening between rivals
Animosities between North and South Korea are rising sharply again over an unusual cause: The North's rubbish-carrying balloons.
Her gut was producing alcohol. Doctors didn't believe her
For two years doctors told her she was an alcoholic. Then they realized her gut was making alcohol from carbohydrates, a rare condition called auto-brewery syndrome.
Forest bathing: What it is and why some Alberta doctors recommend it
Many people are familiar with the benefits of being in nature, but forest therapy goes a step further than a simple walk in the woods.
India election: Modi's coalition leads in early count but opposition is stiffer than expected
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's coalition led in a majority of seats Tuesday in India's general election, according to early figures, but faced a stronger challenge from the opposition than expected after it pushed back against the leader's mixed economic record and polarizing politics.
Pharmacare bill passes in the House of Commons, heads to the Senate
The Liberals' pharmacare bill is headed to the Senate after passing third reading in the House of Commons.