Back-to-school plan still vague at this point

Province will require school boards to come up with three learning models — one for remote learning, one for in-class leaning and another being a mix of both

Hamilton parents have mixed feelings about the province’s return-to-school plan.

Some say they’re glad to have a sense of what the 2020-2021 school year will hold, while others say it’s far too soon to think about what September might look like. Many say it’s vague — but that’s not a bad thing.

“It feels like the government is kind of throwing things at wall to see if they stick,” said Jason

Allen, a Hamilton parent to Grade 7 and Grade 10 boys. “I appreciate the flexibility for the boards.”

At a Friday provincial press briefing, Education Minister Stephen Lecce revealed Ontario’s return-to-school plan.

The plan will require all school boards to come up with three learning models — one for remote learning, one for in-class leaning and another being a mix of both approaches.

Across all boards, September’s model is expected to be the latter, a blended model which would see classes capped at 15 students. Students would attend school on alternate days or weeks and only interact with their assigned 15 peers and their one teacher, if possible. Parents also have the opportunity to keep their children home and pursue online learning if they wish.

Kris Miha was glad to have the option to keep her Grade 5 son at home, where he has been thriving, she said.

If he were to go to school, she worries he might catch COVID. Her dad is in a retirement home.

“I’d have this terrible feeling in my stomach — am I putting my dad and his entire retirement home at risk?” she said.

Ali Noble said she will likely send her Grade 1 daughter back to school.

“Gwen goes to small school, she’s healthy,” Noble said. “I would send her back (to school).”

Still, she’s skeptical these bestlaid plans will come to fruition, especially considering September is still more than two months away.

The Hamilton public and Catholic school boards, meanwhile, had few details to share Friday about their efforts to comply with the provincial demands, the nitty-gritty of which they just learned that day.

Pat Daly, chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, said all boards have to submit their plans to the ministry by early August.