Hamilton parents nervous and excited as students begin first day of school

Tears filled Denny Bell's eyes as he stood in front ofSts. Peter & Paul Catholic Elementary School on Wednesday and watched his son Caleb be with other students for the first time in months.

"I'm just full of happiness for my son that he can go back to school and be with his friends, you know what I mean? This pandemic has taken a toll on everybody," he told CBC Hamilton.

"He gets a lot of anxiety," said Bell's partner, Trish Murphy.

Caleb "was adamant he didn't want to go to school, but actually, today went smooth. I'm hoping this stays. I'm hoping the schools stay open. I'm hoping people follow the protocols and social distance and get the vaccine."

Caleb was among thousands of students in Hamilton who had their first day of school.

The return to in-person learning is a welcome one, given the mass disruptions to child learning and development during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rowena Balmontesent off her two children, one in Grade 7 and one in Grade 2. She said this year's first day was more organized than the last year.

While Balmonte saidshe felt anxiousfor her kids, "I told them everything will be fine and everything will be good ... and then the nerves were gone."

Principal Michelle Daoust said staff and students are nervous too, but "to be nervous and excited at the same time is a good feeling."

She said last year about one third of students, roughly 200 kids,were learning online (before everyone was forced to do so). Now, there are just 20 learning remotely.

The school implemented a "kiss and ride" protocol on Day 1 where parents could give their hugs and kisses at home, leave their kids in the drop-off zoneand drive away while school staff bring the students into the building. It was done to avoid a lot of gathering.

IvanaFortino, a superintendent of education with Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB), was at the school. Shesaid this year, school boards have a better sense of what to expect.

"The challenge will be the numbers are rising, so we want to really keep students and staff in schools," she said. "And we now do have the challenge of re-integrating them into the schools both socially and academically."

WATCH:Back-to-school safety protocols vary by province, school district

Back-to-school safety protocols vary by province, school district

3 years ago

Duration 1:54

As more Canadian students head back to school, they are met with a range of COVID-19 safety protocols that differ widely by province, and sometimes, by school district.

HWCDSB had anoutbreak declaredat St. James the Apostle Catholic Elementary School on Tuesday after two staff memberstested positive for COVID-19.

Daoustsaid schools can control what happens in the classroom, but can't control what happens after the school bell rings and kids go home.

"I hope families do remember [during] after-school activities, if we all continue to do our parts, it'll keep us safe here at the school," she said.

Hamilton has seven school-related COVID-19 cases.

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