Calgary parents and students optimistic on first day of school - Action News
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Calgary parents and students optimistic on first day of school

Up until a few weeks ago, Calgary families were still unsure what school might look like this year. Would masks be required? What about online learning?

Schools and parents hopeful for normal school year but ready to pivot if need be

Cautious optimism greets students in first day back to school

3 years ago
Duration 1:15
Masks and other COVID protocols mark the start of the regular school calendar in Calgary as students, parents, and teachers remain unsure how the school year will unfold.

Up until a few weeks ago, Calgary families were still unsure what school might look like this year. Would masks be required? What about online learning?

Zaki Ahmed started Grade 3on Wednesday at Guy Weadick Elementaryand said he's feeling "very good" about returning.

His mother, Nina Shah, is too.

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"I'm actually pretty excited and confident because they have all the regulation and rules put in place," she said."Same thing as last year."

Nina Shah says she is feeling confident that the right protocols are in place to keep her child safe at school this year. (Mike Symington/CBC)

Kids heading into Calgary Catholic and Calgary public schools will be required to wear masks this year, as well as maintain proper distancing and follow hygiene procedures as COVID-19 cases continue to climb.

Across the province, each school authority has made its own decisions on those protocols with no mandates from the province.

But there is excitement

Neela Mukhopedhyay runs a before and after school program in Temple andsays there has been a buzz of excitement in her students about going back to school.

"The children are very excited after all that we went through, like on the pandemic, they are tired at home," she said.

"They want to come out to play, socialize, interact, communicate."

Students and teachers head back to school at Guy Weadick Elementary. (Mike Symington/CBC)

There's a lot to look forward to this year, too, according toeducation director Calvin Davies with the Calgary Board of Education.

"Schools are gearing up to look at developing practices, and school teams, and hopefully engaging in inter-school athletics, clubs, intramural activities and those kind of things," he said.

"We're really pleasedthat those opportunities are back for studentsat the moment, anyway."

While they're hopeful for a normal school year, parents and school boards alike say they're ready to pivot if necessary.

With files from Lucie Edwardson