Photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / tomwang. Photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / tomwang.
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Local school boards preparing for potential change in reopening date

The Lambton-Kent public and Catholic school boards are indicating they'll be ready for any further direction from the province on the resumption of in-class learning.

Lambton Kent District School Board Director John Howitt told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Friday morning that the date locally is still February 11 but that could change.

"We're protecting against the Monday as well, if they decide to do a Monday opening either before or after the 11th," said Howitt. "We're working on our communications, and we're reminding our staff of the PPE protocols. There will be a new expectation for Grades 1 to 3 students. They will be required to wear masks, so we're making sure that there's an inventory of masks. We're absolutely in prep mode."

St. Clair Catholic District School Board Director Deb Crawford said they expect an update from the provincial government next week.

"Now that we know that they're more flexible in their openings, I've told my staff to get ready for anything," said Crawford. "We're expecting to be back in school on February 11 if there's no further direction from the provincial government."

Both directors said they're surprised that the province announced Thursday that select boards, including in London-Middlesex, are being allowed to reopen schools as of Monday, February 1, and that Lambton-Kent wasn't included.

-With files from Sue Storr

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