School boards in Timmins warn classes could be cancelled due to a shortage of teachers
It's back to school Monday and officials with two school boards in the Timmins area say they're excited to welcome everyone, despite some changes that are store.
"Our schools were built and meant for kids to be in them and we’re so excited to have them back," said Tricia Weltz, director of education for Northeastern Catholic District School Board.
Changes include the fact kindergarten students will have to wear masks; before, that was optional. Proof of screening is also mandatory.
“Every student and staff ... must complete the screening tool and must show documentation, whether it’s a hard copy or an electronic copy of the screening," said Lesleigh Dye, director of education for District School Board Ontario North East.
The other possibility is, just like a snow day, families will have to watch for notice that a classroom is cancelled.
“I do want our families to know we may have to shift to a virtual day of learning if it’s not safe to open our school due to a lack of staff," said Dye.
"Please make sure your school has your updated contact information."
“Like every board in the Province of Ontario, we have a real shortage of replacement staff and so we’re trying to increase the number of staff available on our replacement lists, but so far our success with that has been limited," added Weltz.
One local mother said she is anxious about sending her 12-year-old son back to school.
“The government’s like hey great, let's send them to school, but now we’re just not going to tell you anything, which is my biggest concern," said Amy St. Amour, of Timmins.
"I’m sending him back with too many unknowns in how they’re going to keep us all safe."
Both school boards said they have received their shipments of masks and are ready to bring back students. They're asking for patience from families and they are reassuring them that with everyone working together, they've got this.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.