Nova Scotia schools reopen to students after extended closure amid Omicron wave
On a cold, slippery Monday morning, Nova Scotia students returned to in-person learning.
"I am excited," said elementary student Audray Houston.
"It feels a little bit weird, but we're excited," added Audray’s mother Megan Houston.
An extended Christmas break has meant students have not been in school for almost a full month.
"We are really looking forward to it and think it's time," said parent Kathy-Ann Rainforth. "Kids need to be in school. Social outcomes and mental health outcomes; they are happiest in school."
Paul Wozney, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, says he has lingering concerns about the current back-to-school plan laid out by the province.
"We are desperately in arrears in terms of progress about boosting and vaccinating staff and children," said Wozney, who added he is braced for a possible shortage of teachers and staff that could cause schools to close again.
"There is just so much more pressure that is on the systems because of Omicron. We are going to have hundreds of staff on a daily basis that are required to self-isolate."
Nova Scotia Education Minister Becky Druhan said HEPA air filters are now in 71 schools and the province has provided students and teachers with three-layer masks.
"We were happy to welcome students back into class," said Druhan.
"Can I predict what COVID-19 is going to throw our way? No, I cannot for sure. But I do have the confidence that we have the agility and flexibility to handle a lot, as we've seen folks do to date and we will continue to do moving forward."
As for what lies ahead, parent Alex Liot is worried about the long-term effects of multiple years of learning impacted by school closures.
"At home learning was good but really needs to be much better," said Liot, who added he does not see the current remote learning format as being a viable alternative.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.