Students return to in-person learning in Quebec – here’s what kids, parents are saying

For many Montreal students, Tuesday marked the return of in-person learning after a week of remote learning. Monday’s snowstorm delayed the planned return by one day.

New health measures are in place to help stop the spread of the Omicron variant in Quebec’s schools.

• Students and teachers are required to always wear face masks indoors, except when eating.
• Carbon dioxide monitoring devices are expected to be introduced to all classrooms to better assess the ventilation needs of schools. If those monitors show elevated levels of CO2, schools can request an air exchanger. The Quebec government says all requests will be approved.
• Air purifiers were installed by the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) last year.
• More than seven million more rapid tests will be distributed to elementary schools by February, according to the province.
• More masks for students and staff are also on the way. While teachers have been asking the government for N95 masks, those will not be provided.
• Students will no longer be required to isolate if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive in their school community. Going forward, isolation is only required if the infected person is someone who lives in their home. If the student tests positive they must isolate for at least five days. If they test negative after the fifth day and don’t have a fever, they can return to school.
• If too many teachers fall sick with COVID-19, the province’s education ministry says parent volunteers could be asked to supervise classrooms as a last resort.

Here’s what some students, parents and school staff had to say about returning to in-person learning.

Students at Dante Elementary School (Saint-Leonard)

Emma, Grade 1: “I’m happy because I miss playing with my friends.”

Aaliyah Ortiz-Branco, Grade 5: “At school we can actually pay attention more because the teacher is in front of us.”

Gia Vetrone, Grade 5: “My favourite part about school is being able to see everybody and my teachers.”

Mia Nadon Maurati, Grade 5: “I’m happy to be back at school because I can see my friends and my teachers.

“(Online school) has been hard because we can’t really do tests, and like we can’t see our teachers. Like it’s sad.”

Students in the gymnasium at Dante Elementary School in Montreal on January 18, 2022. (Credit: CITYNEWS/Pamela Pagano)

Parents 

Maria Monaghan, mom of four: “I understand that they need to take these measures in order to feel protected or whatever the case may be. But I feel like it’s making the children… I don’t know how to say it, it’s making the children feel like this is the new norm, and it shouldn’t be.”

Mikhail Bartholomew, dad of three: “There’s not much we could really do because I’m not gonna keep my daughter at home – isolated at home. You know, that’s really how I feel. But with everything going on, it’s like mixed emotions.”

Lidia Paolozza: I think it’s a good thing. They all need to get back to their routines.”

“I do have a full-time job, I would love to (volunteer to supervise children, if needed). I would love to help. Maybe I could give some time during my lunch hour but unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to devote a full day to do that.”

Parent walks two children into Dante Elementary School in Montreal on January 18, 2022. (Credit: CITYNEWS/Pamela Pagano)

School / school board staff

Joe Schembri, principal at Dante Elementary School: At the end of the day, I think the benefits of coming back to school outweigh the risk of coming back to school.”

Joe Ortona, EMSB chair, on teachers not being provided N95 masks: “I don’t think it’s a safety issue, I think it’s a money issue for the government. It’s very clear that the science states that the N95 masks are better, and the only people who seem to say otherwise is this government.”

An empty hallway at Dante Elementary School in Montreal on January 18, 2022. (Credit: CITYNEWS/Pamela Pagano)