School boards in Lambton-Kent are aware of a potential student walkout on Friday as part of a provincewide demonstration against the mask mandate and other COVID-19 related restrictions.
The Director of Education for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board said staff have been notified on how to proceed should they encounter protestors who prevent people from getting on to or off school property.
"That they remain calm, that they might be prepared to be delayed if in fact this happens, that they not engage with any protestors, certainly that they do not force their way through any picket line, and that if at any time they felt threatened that they should call 911," said Scott Johnson.
He also said the school board will not penalize students should they participate in the walkout.
"We understand that student protests are sometimes part of a democratic right and we would not be penalizing students or mark them truant if they were absent for such protests but that they would be marked absent," Johnson said. "At elementary schools, we typically don't allow students to leave the property without parent permission so if an elementary student were to leave the property, the school would be calling home to inform the parents."
In an emailed statement, the Lambton-Kent District School Board (LKDSB) had a similar message. The public school board said it can appreciate students' right to publicly express their views but that Safe Schools Protocols will continue to be followed in regards to attendance.
"We will ensure that elementary students have parental/ guardian consent to leave school property under adult supervision should they choose to participate in the demonstration. There will be no discipline for students who participate in peaceful protests off-school property," said the LKDSB.
Demonstrations against COVID-19 mandates have been ongoing in several southwestern Ontario communities.
In Lambton County, a section of the westbound Highway 402 between Nauvoo Road in Watford and Oil Heritage Road has remained closed since Wednesday.
In Windsor, a blockage at the Ambassador Bridge has greatly impacted the transportation of goods. The City of Windsor is seeking an injunction against demonstrators blocking access to the bridge.