The local English-language public school board is encouraging all students to join in-class learning in September.
The Greater Essex County District School Board said Wednesday that it is planning for a full return to in-person classes for students in kindergarten through grade 12.
While the board has gone ahead and enrolled all students for in-class learning in the coming school year, the Ontario Ministry of Education has required boards to offer a remote learning option to parents who may not be comfortable sending their kids back to a regular school setting.
For parents of students who were in virtual learning at the end of the 2021-22 school year, the GECDSB has posted a survey on its official website for those who would like to continue with remote learning.
"The September 2022 remote learning model for elementary and secondary students will be determined based on enrollment data that is gathered from the survey results," read the webpage. "Remote learning may include a hybrid model, a virtual school, e-Learning, TVO, or courses that are available at our alternative secondary school for secondary students. Students who opt out of in-person learning may be placed in any one of these models. The remote learning model will be communicated to families after August 22, 2022."
Only those who completed the last school year remotely will be allowed to opt-out of in-person learning in September. Siblings of virtual students starting at the GECDSB for the first time are eligible for virtual learning.
Those planning to return to in-class learning don't need to take the survey, which is open through August 5. If you choose remote learning but change your mind before the deadline, log in again and redo the survey.