Ottawa Catholic School Board hopeful about return to in-person learning before end of academic year
Posted May 13, 2021 07:12:00 PM.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) is hoping kids will be able to return to school for in-person learning at some point in June, as a way to help benefit students' mental health.
Board Director of Education Tom D'Amico says the academic school year is still slated to end in June, but he would like to see students return before then, even if for a brief period.
He feels the advantage of returning to in-person learning extends beyond academics.
“[Students] were able to get that social connection with their peers and also with a non-family member adult, someone that they trust and believe in,” D'Amico told CityNews' The Rob Snow Show. “This is really important for their overall mental health and well-being and it really helps to address the social isolation that they've experienced this year during remote learning periods.”
He is echoing Mayor Jim Watson and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches in saying that he is hopeful the province will adopt a regional approach into reopening schools if COVID-19 levels continue to trend downward.
The director of education adds that if there has been any silver lining to this pandemic, it's that it has allowed students to gain important skills and knowledge regarding resiliency and self-care.
