Back to school in a pandemic

Two French Catholic elementary schools in Ottawa's Riverside South neighbourhoodresumed classes Wednesday, for the first time since the pandemic shut everything down in March.

cole lmentaire catholique Bernard-Grandmatre and L'cole lmentaire catholiqueJonathan-Pitre follow what's called a "balanced calendar" meaning in exchange for a shortened summer vacation, students get time-off in October and May, as well as two weeks off for March break.

However, the earlier start meant less time for staff to preparefor the return of students, leading one parent to express concern about whether the balanced calendar made sense during the pandemic.

Adding to the stressis the fact that Jonathan-Pitre school is a brand new school and Wednesday was its inauguration.

The Conseil des coles catholiques du Centre-Est, which oversees both schools, allowed media access inside Jonathan-Pitre on Wednesday morning to get a sense of the changes implemented in response to COVID-19.

Here's what it looked like:

Some Ottawa parents comfortable and confident about return to school

4 years ago

Duration 0:49

Isabelle and Mark Lamoureux say theyre confident in the school board and Ottawa Public Health regarding the process of sending their daughter to senior kindergarten this year.

Return to school brings some sense of normalcy, superintendent says

4 years ago

Duration 0:44

Jean-Franois Bard, superintendent of education at the Conseil des coles catholiques du Centre-Est, says some parents will be feeling nervous but the return to school represents a return to a new normal.