Across the province, secondary students headed back to school on Tuesday. But students in Parry Sound gathered in front of what would have been their high school, demanding answers about what their school year will look like. That’s because construction delays of their new JK-Grade 12 school have them starting the year off with COVID-era remote learning, with no clear timeline for when they can return to in-class learning. Officials with the Near North District School Board announced that the school wouldn’t be open in time and that the year would begin with remote learning. Students from JK to Grade 8 are able to attend other schools during the delay. But parts of the former high school had already been torn down, meaning students from Grade 9-12 had nowhere to go. Among those protesting Tuesday was Grade 12 student Lily Brear. “It’s pretty much supposed to be my first day of Grade 12, but I’m out here protesting … that I should be in a school and not online today,” Brear said. Parry Sound High School allocated Tuesday for students to come and pick up laptops to begin remote learning Wednesday. Many students looking to their post-secondary future voiced concerns about what their school year will look like. “It’s been it’s been a bunch of flip-flopping,” said Grade 12 student Leila Kennedy. “There’s been zero communication because they waited till the last week before school to release any information.” Students are ‘missing out’ Another Grade 12 student, Ava Caramanico, said it’s frustrating to see everyone else go to school when they can’t. “They still get to participate in sports and extracurriculars and everything,” Caramanico said. “You’re the only people missing out … especially (with) the importance of Grade 12 and just being together with everyone. You’re missing out on that aspect and it’s just very isolating, for sure.” In addition to the students, Parry Sound Mayor Jamie McGarvey was on hand to show his support. “I’ve asked for a resolution to gather the mayors from the area and the chiefs and to have a meeting and figure out how we’re going to move this forward in a common voice that gets the best results,” McGarvey said. Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Minister of Education, said in a statement that a review will be done immediately, and the report will be completed in the next 30 days.
