THUNDER BAY — The nearly half-year-long break from classes has ended for students in the Thunder Bay public and Catholic school systems.
The two largest school boards in Northwestern Ontario are staggering the start of the school year for students in both the elementary and secondary panels.
Except for Grade 7 students in the separate school system, Grades 4 to 8, and Grades 9 and 11, began their 2020-2021 school year Tuesday.
On Wednesday, only year 2 Kindergarten, Grades 1 to 3, as well as Grades 10 and 12 will return to class, along with Grade 7 separate school students.
Starting Thursday, all students will attend daily, other than those using the learn-at-home option.
At St. Ignatius High School, Principal Mike Filipetti admitted to feeling some apprehension as the new school year began amidst a multitude of arrangements for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
"Everyone has to have a mask on. As soon as you walk into school, there are hand-sanitizing stations there, and markers on the floor just to help us distance properly. We also have sanitizer in all the classrooms," Filipetti said.
He added "As a principal and a board employee, sure, there's some nerves coming back. We want to make sure our students are safe. We want to ensure we're all safe."
Filipetti, who was outside the school welcoming students as they got off their buses, is also experiencing the resumption of school as the parent of a student enrolled in Grade 12.
"It's nice to be back for the students. It's been a long haul for them being off," he said.
The COVID-19 protocols include guidelines for leaving the building when classes are over. Students will depart one grade at a time to board buses for the ride home after half a day.
Filipetti said students who attend in the morning will learn from home in the afternoon.
Ontario teachers' unions are displeased with the provincial government for the preparations that have been made, saying the safeguards against COVID-19 are inadequate.
Filipetti, however, suggested morale in his school is good.
"St. Ignatius has a great staff. Everyone here is prepared to teach. People seem happy, positive, and cautious, Which is a good thing. We just want to make sure everyone is safe."
