As schools gradually reopen across Chatham-Kent, there is concern about the mindset of students as they return to the class room.
Elementary students from SK to grade 8 in the Lambton Kent and St Clair Catholic District School Boards have a staggered start today and tomorrow, with high school students and JKs returning next week.
While some may be apprehensive about heading back during a global pandemic, officials say there is plenty of help.
“All of our schools have their assigned child and youth workers as well as our social workers,”says Deb Crawford, Director of Education with the St Clair Catholic District School Board. “We’ve been working all summer on programming that is going to be throughout all of our classrooms, looking at students’ well-being and trying to build those relationships.”
Crawford says with students having been out of the classroom since March, it will be a difficult transition for some.
John Howitt, Director of Education for the Lambton-Kent District School Board. says it’s ok to feel anxious.
“Any students who are feeling nervous about coming back to school, I think that makes them normal,” Howitt says. “We need to be transparent about the fact that we as adults are nervous as well. We’re starting into a new look for our schools, we’re confident in our planning, however the plans have never been implemented before.”
There will be a focus on hygiene, social distancing, and masking to help keep kids and staff safe.