Kids and parents in Edmonton react to going back to school with masks being optional
Posted September 1, 2022 1:59 pm.
Last Updated September 2, 2022 9:36 am.
September 1st is the first day back to school in Edmonton, so how do parents and students feel being back to in-person schooling during the pandemic, where masking is optional, but excitement is mandatory?
“I’m excited that I can see new people and make new friends,” said one Grade 6 student. While another said, “I’m scared, nervous, anxious but also excited.”
One Grade 5 student said online learning was difficult, but now she can “actually see the people and talk to them at recesses and at home [she] couldn’t see them at recesses.”
When asked what she’s excited to learn about, a kindergartener answered, “My letters!”
Parents dropped their kids off Thursday morning at Johnny Bright School in southwest Edmonton, saying they feel safe at this point in the pandemic.
“It’s going to be fun for them,” said one mom. “They can see their friends and talk with them, they can keep in touch with the teacher and have better studies, I guess.”
One dad dropping his son in Grade 1 said he was glad his son can go in-person: “I’m just happy that we’re back to some normalcy and get kids back in the classrooms and get back to normalcy and socializing and back to the way that we used to go to school.”
The school’s principal says despite masks being optional, students who are sick are asked to stay home and hygiene practices will remain a priority.
“Hand sanitizing, hand washing has always been an important thing we teach students and important task – however this year, sanitizer is available to students, parents, staff if they wish to use it,” said Principal Kathleen Marzolf.
The vice-chair of the Edmonton Public School Board says there will be even more measures to keep kids in school safe and allow it to be a more typical school year.
“There will be concerts again, there will be field trips, there will be more in-school activities and community gatherings at our schools,” said Nathan Ip, smiling.
The elimination of cohorting this year will also be a welcome change for students who have friends in different grades.
“I can’t wait to see them outside at lunch and at recesses playing with each other, having fun,” said Principal Marzolf. “I can’t wait for after-school sports and noon-hour clubs.”
And for the kindergartener, what gives her joy on the first day of school is what she brought in her lunchbox.
“My Rice Krispies and my cookies!”
