Parents have mixed responses to the return to school, with some choosing online learning and others confident in moving forward. (File Photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Parental thoughts

Mixed feelings for parents ahead of return to school

Sep 7, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The first day of school is a day that often brings some anxiety for both students and their parents. This Tuesday will test that more than perhaps any other Day One in recent history.

Ahead of the return to classrooms for students after being sidelined at home by the COVID-19 pandemic since March, battlefordsNOW spoke to multiple parents in the region.

One parent, who spoke with battlefordsNOW on the condition of anonymity, said she had decided to homeschool her daughter. She said she made the decision as soon as the announcement came for school starting on September 8, based on the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and the back-to-school rules.

“There’s really not a great plan in place,” she said. “Masks are optional for pre-K to grade 4. That’s not OK.”

Her concerns also stem from her daughter having asthma. She said being a teacher is not something she’s ever wanted to do, but felt compelled after the dates were set.

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“For her to wear a mask to start with is not an option,” she said “But I wouldn’t want her going to school without one.”

Homeschooling will cost $50, with supplied materials. She said she is in touch with the Living Sky School Division, in dealing with this major life change.

“They have it all set up for traditional homeschooling,” “You have the choice of traditional, virtual or sending them back.”

She plans to monitor how things go over the next few months and isn’t ruling out a return later during the school year if the prognosis is positive.

“I might change my mind and I might be ok to say I’m comfortable enough and she can go back to school,” she said. “But right now, that’s not happening.”

On the other hand, Amy Blom, whose daughter goes to Hafford Central School, said she feels comfortable with the changes being made. A visit to their door from two teachers helped explain the upcoming semester.

“She can’t go in the hallways unless she wears her mask, only certain grades use certain doors,” she said. “So, she’s pretty pumped to go back.”

A big factor in parents being excited to have kids back in school is needing social interaction. Blom said it’s particularly important for Alexis, who takes ADHD medication.

“She needs to be around peers, I find, and her older sisters are no longer in the home,” she said. “It’s just good to have that interaction.”

Blom’s middle daughter is in university and taking classes online. Having taken classes via correspondence herself, Blom said it’s a difficult process and is comfortable with smaller class sizes trying to keep the traditional educational experience intact.

“She’s going into Grade 10 and there’s 10 students, so I’m sure they can space them out pretty good,” she said.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports