Students welcome to visit WRDSB schools in-person to wrap up school year

There will be an opportunity for students to return to their schools in-person to wrap up the school year later this month at Waterloo Region District School Board schools.

The board announced teachers will hold virtual year-end celebrations but on top of that, on June 24, 25, and 28, "classes will be invited to come to their home school either by car or on foot," to allow for "in-person connections," the board said in its news release.

"Schools will develop a schedule for each class and communicate the details to students and families once finalized," the board said. 

"These on-site visits will also allow an opportunity for students to collect any remaining personal belongings, as well as to return school-provided devices and learning materials."

Students will not have remote online classes on those three days and will instead learn asynchronously.

The board says there are virtual celebrations for Grade 6 students on June 24 and Grade 8 students on June 22.

Premier calls for in-person celebrations

Premier Doug Ford announced earlier this month that students would not return to in-person learning until September, but he also called on school boards to hold in-person, outdoor events to celebrate the end of the school year for every grade.

Some school boards, including the Toronto District School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board say those kinds of events won't be happening.

The District School Board Ontario North East says in-person ceremonies may not be possible in communities like Timmins where COVID-19 cases are high.

The Ontario Principals' Council said the suggestion to hold in-person ceremonies for all grades was "unrealistic."