Mixed feelings for students and parents as schools resume

For many students across Calgary, classes began today. Cara Campbell caught up with students and parents to find out how they’re feeling on the first day back to school in six months.

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – For many students, the first day back to school was one they will remember for the rest of their lives.

There will be lots of learning at the beginning of this school year, as kids, parents, teachers and staff learn new COVID-19 health protocols.

But there’s more than the usual first day nerves as Calgary Board of Education students head back to school for the first time since March.

CityNews caught up with some parents and kids to talk about how they feel returning to the classroom during a pandemic.

“I’m nervous. Don’t know what is going to happen, don’t even remember the last time I was in school,” said this student.

While some kids appeared excited on the walk to school Tuesday morning, parents were a little apprehensive.

One parent admitted she was nervous for her child and wished the school board had communicated things better.

“I found it was very confusing, especially when it comes to school because you had the option to send your kids back to regular classes or online learning. But there’s so many different online learning modules out there from D2L to CBE Learn to the online hub and a lot of parents didn’t know what they needed to sign their children up for so a lot of parents missed the deadline.”

RELATED: ‘It was a lot better than we expected:’ Alberta teacher on first day back

Meanwhile, some students at Robert Thirsk High School said they were impressed with the precautions in place, but couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

“People aren’t going to follow the rules of six feet apart, so it’s a little nerve-wracking,” said this student.

“I feel there’s just going to be another spike of corona. With all the rules even put in place, I don’t think it’s enough,” added another.

The CBE and the Calgary Catholic School Division have implemented staggered re-entry this week to ease students back into the classroom.

Some students said they’re glad there was a staggered entry for the first day but are not sure how things will fair once all students are back in one space.

On Tuesday, a school in Okotoks said it was delaying the start of the year due to a positive case of COVID-19.

Canyon Meadows School in Calgary is still open despite the principal, assistant principal and administrative secretary being forced into a 14-day quarantine after someone at the school tested positive for the coronavirus.

On Wednesday morning, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, will provide more details on school re-entry and how the province plans to use the funding provided by the federal government.

– With files from CityNews and The Canadian Press

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