Pivot back to remote learning once again proves difficult, parent says

Families and teachers are having to constantly shift between in-person instruction and remote learning,with outbreaks prompting schools to shutter classes in effort to curb further spread of COVID-19.

Two schools in Woodstock, Ont. the first in the region were forced to closedownin the past two weeks after several positive cases were identified, some of which involved variants of concern.

RafaelaAmorim, a mother of two, said it has beendifficult having to turn back to remote learning once again, for both her and her daughter.

Amorim's daughter, Amanda, attendssenior kindergartenat St. Michael's Catholic School, where an outbreak was first declared by the Southwestern Public Health uniton March 11, prompting the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) to halt all classes to keep the outbreak under control.

Three cases of COVID-19 were confirmed at the time, with a fourth case that screened positive for a variant.

Amorim's family was then notified to self-isolate and get Amanda tested for COVID-19, after she had been identified as a close contact of a positive case at the school.

"I was worried [at first], because we don't have that many cases here in Woodstock," Amorim said.

Amorim said her daughter did not show any symptoms and tested negative but they are still unsure if classes will resume at the school this week, when it is expected to reopen.

But in the meanwhile, Amorim, and her husband who is able to work from home, are juggling having to supervise Amanda at home while she is learning online.

"It's not easy for me," she said."I have a 10-month old baby and I have to take care of him too."

Linda Staudt,LDCSBdirector of education, said the positivecases which had affected both staff and students in multiple classrooms at both schools hadcaused a staff shortage which meant they couldn't operate in-person instruction.

Staudt said in St. Michael's, teachers affected were regularly involved in multiple classrooms and are there for more than 15 minutes at a time, which caused those respective classrooms to also self-isolate because of the exposure.

"Very quickly, we ended up affecting 17 classes and that basically meant that we had very few classes left in the building," Staudt said. "We had to make the decision then to close."

Staudt said the staff and students had become accustomed to virtual learning after using it in January when all schools were closed for in-person learning, making it an easier pivot than before.

As of Monday, there havenot been any newly reported cases at either school, said Staudt.

Eight cases were identified at St. Patrick's Catholic Elementary School, some of which had screened positive for variants, said LCDSB spokesperson Mark Adkinson.

Around two-thirds of more than 350 students and staff were asked to self-isolate, he said.

"As well as the ongoing teacher andeducational assistantshortage, the school board was forced to make thisdifficult decision due to health and well-being as well as operational concerns," Adkinson said.

St. Patrick's is expected to reopen to students on March 29, with exception to anyone remaining in isolation that would extend past that date.

Erica Arnett, the program manager with Southwestern Public health andresponsible for the schools team on the unit, said it was solely up to the school board to choose to close both schools.

"We would only close the school under very extreme situations because we recognize the benefit that education provides to students and families," said Arnett.

Arnett said the health unitis continuing to lookintothe cases in the meanwhile and will be providingadvice andsupport to the school community.

The health unit reported28 newCOVID-19 cases on Monday, after not releasing any numbers over the weekend. The health unit has75 active cases at this time.