Youths deserve 'pat on the back' for adaptability, student trustees say, as school moves online again

Over the course of the pandemic, Grade 11 student Kenzy Soror says her peers have gone "above and beyond" in adapting to some very trying circumstances.

"I see students beside me in class submitting projects, being tested and preparing for exams," said Soror, who attends Cameron Heights Collegiate in Kitchener and is a student trustee for the Waterloo Region District School Board.

"I really think we should all give ourselves a pat on our back for our resiliency."

During a Monday morning interview with CBC K-W'sThe Morning Edition, Soror predicted her classmates would need to draw on that resiliency again in the coming weeks.

Hours later, the province announced school was moving online again until at least Jan. 17.

Hope for a more 'engaging' school experience

Although students have now become used to classes moving online, fellow trustee Nicole Vishkin said there's been concern about a lack of engagement when school has moved to remote learning with little notice.

Looking ahead to the school year, Vishkin said, "I just hope for the most engaging learning experience possible, whether that's online or in person."

Aside from concerns about the quality of learning, Vishkin is also concerned about missing out on other aspects of the typical school experience.

"I do feel bad for younger students that are missing out on extracurricular opportunities and other opportunities that I considered invaluable at their ageand helped me discover my sense of self," said Vishkin, who's in Grade 12 and also attends Cameron Heights Collegiate.

"I know that as a graduating student, a lot of my peers are a little bit anxious about certain end of the year activities and whether those are going to be possible."

In the months ahead, Soror said she hopes that schools will prioritize student well-being in whatever comes next.

"That comes down to physical safety and also mental health, but really, that student voices are being heard when it comes to all of these implementation details and the changes," she said.

LISTEN|Waterloo Region District School Board tudent trustees Kenzy Soror and Nicole Vishkin speak to The Morning Edition guest host Jackie Sharkey about school during a pandemic and what they expect in the coming weeks.