Parents divided on Jan. 10 return to class plan amid Omicron wave
With the COVID-19 Omicron variant continuing its spread, many Montreal-area parents are left wondering whether their children should be returning to classrooms in person when the holidays end.
Willy Versteeg is waiting for news on whether his elementary school-aged children will be back in class in the New Year.
"I feel like Omicron is going so fast — we’ll have this one week and then we’ll see," he said. "It’ll either blow over or it’ll get worse. Our school at least has one more week then we’ll see."
While some parents do not want their kids staying home again, others are worried that those children who are not fully vaccinated may be at greater risk of getting infected.
"It’s too risky and they only have one shot. No. I don’t think it’s time," one parent said.
Most English schools are slated to reopen classrooms Jan. 10, but some like the English Parents Committee Association (EPCA) want a plan in place if that doesn't happen.
"(We're) going to follow what public health says, but our position has always been — if the kids are home, then online learning has to be ready," said EPCA president Kathy Korakakis.
The English Montreal School Board (EMSB) said it has no plans to alter the Jan. 10 return to class date.
Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers president Heidi Yetman said its members are ready to go back to online learning.
"Because we’ve been in this for 22 months, most schools are prepared," she said.
Korakakis admits that the decision on whether to head back to class or not is a polarizing one for parents.
"For some kids, they really need to be in class to learn. It’s not an easy thing," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.