Back to school: Windsor-Essex students return to the classroom for 1st time since spring

H. J. Lassaline Catholic Elementary Schoolin Forest Glade was a hive of activity on Tuesday morning as students were dropped off for the first day of school.

School principal Marisa Wismer said she felt well-prepared and excitedfor the students' return. But she knows some parents are feeling anxious about sending their kids back.

"We've definitely taken a cautious and measured approach to reopening our schools by carefully implementing all of our return-to-school guidelines, and in doing so, this has allowed us to create an atmosphere that's safe for both staff and students," she said.

Some students who spoke with CBC Windsor were excited to be reunited with their friends.

"I'm feeling great. I can't wait to go to Grade 8," said Mark Iusam.

But there was a bit ofhesitation too Chlo Kitchingsaid she was "nervous and excited, but I'm mostly nervous."

And there weresimilar feelings among students entering college and university.

"I'm definitely a little nervous, just cause like, being back in the classroom is going to feel different, but I'm definitely excited," said first-year St. Clair College student Raine Barkley.

"I hope that the rest of the people here are taking this seriously and that they're not putting themselves and other students into an unsafe position."

WATCH: University of Windsor students talk about returning to campus

University of Windsor students prepare to return to school this week

3 years ago

Duration 0:59

Students talk about what's making them feel safe on campus and wanting to have more in-person classes.

"It definitely feels better, it feels weird, cause it just feels like I was on a break from Grade 11 and now I'm all the way in college, right?But it feels better to be in school than online," first-year St. Clair College student Nate Allard told CBC News.

He says he's most looking forward to being social and around his peers again.

The University of Windsor officially starts classes on Thursday, while some programs began Tuesday at St. Clair College.

Both schools are offering select courses and programs online.

Classes return as active cases surge

Children across Windsor and Essex County will be sitting in their desksfor the first time since the spring, when in-person learning was shut down across the province.

This time around, COVID-19 cases are surging once again in Windsor-Essex.As of Tuesday, there are more than 600active cases locally,and 18 active outbreaks.

The region saw an increase of 304 cases since Friday.

On the first day of school last year, there were 80 active cases.

Earlier in the summer, families could opt out of in-person learning for the school year butthevast majority have chosen to send their kids to school,according to data previously released by the boards.

There are some changes this year for students,including the postponementof extracurricular activities until at least October due to a recommendation from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health, said the region's case rates are currently some of the highest in the province, and in the past, there has been COVID-19 spread connected to extracurriculars.

'Not the time' for extracurriculars

"I'm not undermining the importance of extracurricular activities. I truly, truly believe in it ...now is just not the time," he said.

Asked about his message for concerned parents, Ahmed said while there is no risk-free option, officialsareusingthe best evidence to keep kids in the classroom.

"We have all those measures that we can think of at this time, by looking at again, all the evidence, all the experts' recommendations, to try and create an atmosphere where children can safely learn and minimizethe risk of transmission in that setting," he said.