Online learning ‘crucial’ to stomping curve say Richmond parents

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — With only days before school districts are expected to submit thor back-to-school plans to the province, parents are petitioning, protesting and writing letters, demanding more online learning options.

The latest call for supported at-home learning comes from 677 Richmond residents, saying online options are “crucial to bend the curve and keep all Richmond residents safe and healthy.”

According to the Richmond News, the petition was delivered to the superintendent and trustees as well as the Richmond Teachers’ Association and Richmond District Parents’ Association.

The petition’s description points to Israel as an example of a region that suffered a spike in COVID-19 after sending kids back to class.

Meanwhile, the latest polling numbers from Leger who British Columbians are more likely to get behind a complete shutdown of classrooms and schools if case numbers do spike.

Of those polled in B.C., 82 per cent say they would support all classes being suspended, and having learning shifted entirely to at-home lessons while only nine per cent would want classes to continue as planned, including in-class sessions, and 9 per cent who say they are unsure.

The poll shows B.C. has the highest level of support for another total school closure in the country, with Quebec having the lowest at 53 per cent.

Kids, however, seem to be split about how they’re feeling right now, with 44 per cent of parents saying their kids seem nervous and anxious while 41 per cent say there’s more excitement in the air.