Ontario students begin returning to school, some boards delay start date

Students in Ontario will begin returning to the classroom in person Tuesday.

The province shuttered all schools on March 13 as cases of COVID-19 began to rise.

This fall, boards will offer a mix of in-person classes and online learning for students who opt to stay home.

Some boards in different parts of the province will reopen schools Tuesday, while others will begin to restart over the next two weeks.

Students in the Hamilton Wentworth District School board will begin returning to class on Sept. 10.

• Hamilton public school board pushes back to school date

Those in the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic School Board begin on Sept. 9.

• More than 80% of Hamilton’s Catholic school kids will be back in class 

In Niagara, schools in both the public and Catholic boards begin welcoming students on Tuesday.

The Grand Erie District School Board will begin welcoming students on Sept. 10.

Most boards are doing a staggered re-start, with children divided by grade or last name.

Last month, Education Minister Stephen Lecce gave boards permission to stagger school reopenings if they required more time to put pandemic safety protocols in place.

As students and teachers return to school, parents can be assured our government is committed to the heath and safety of all students, staff and their families.

I encourage everyone to listen and follow Dr. Williams’s advice and wishing everyone a safe return to school tomorrow! https://t.co/6dyNto4bW4

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 8, 2020