The return to face-to-face school is going well so far, according to the leadership atop the two largest school boards in Lambton-Kent.
The Directors of Education at the Lambton-Kent District School Board and St. Clair Catholic District School Board John Howitt and Scott Johnson said there have been no school or class closures due to high absenteeism related to COVID-19 or the need to replace teachers because of staffing shortages linked to infections.
Johnson said absenteeism was not a problem upon return to in-class learning in January and did not escalate as they worried about.
"The number of staff and students who are absent each day continues to decline, which tells us that the process is working," said Johnson.
Howitt said things continue to run smoothly.
"We have continued to have great success with our return to face-to-face learning. We're seeing our attendance patterns, both for students and staff to be improving," Howitt said.
The second semester has begun at local public high schools in the traditional timetable.
Extra-curricular activities, including sports, will soon resume at schools across Lambton-Kent. The province announced on Thursday afternoon that they can continue with layers of protection to limit the spread of COVID-19, including masking and daily on-site confirmation of screening. However, masks will not be required to participate in activities such as playing basketball or musical instruments.
“I have always believed that sports and extra-curriculars are an essential part of a student’s learning journey and support positive mental and physical health,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “That is why, with the full support of Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, students can partake in extra-curricular high-contact sports and activities in Ontario schools. This will allow students to participate in activities like indoor basketball, volleyball, choir, and wind instrument ensembles – activities that help students become well-rounded leaders, build teamwork skills, and support the development of students."
Howitt reminds the public that everyone participating in or attending school and/or community sports must be fully vaccinated.
School has been in session since January 17, 2022 after a delay in returning from the Christmas break because of a surge of COVID19 across the province.
