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
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.