More Ontario schools reopen for in-person learning after snowstorm
More schools across Ontario are set to reopen for in-person classes today.
Boards in some parts of the province including Windsor and Thunder Bay saw schools open on Monday after a two-week period of remote learning.
But the plan was set back for students and teachers in other areas of the province, including the Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa areas, because heavy snow halted school bus services on Monday.
Several boards in the Toronto area, like the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the York Region District School Board, said classes will go ahead remotely through online learning today.
The Durham District School Board cancelled all in-person classes with secondary students shifting to remote learning. Elementary students in the district will have a snow day.
But the Toronto District School Board said there would be no online classes, either, noting in a post that 36 of its schools still need to have snow removed from their roofs -- a task it said couldn't be completed Monday due to poor weather and road conditions.
The Ottawa Carleton and Ottawa Catholic school boards tweeted early this morning that all schools will be open today. However, the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority has cancelled all bus service because many residential roads have yet to be plowed.
Parents are being told they are welcome to drop their children off at school, but must pick them at the regular end of the school day.
Class are resuming with limited information about COVID-19 cases in schools.
The province has stopped sharing that case counts because PCR tests for the virus is now limited to those considered most high-risk for an infection, so most teachers and students can't access them.
Teachers' unions have warned families to brace for disruptions from anticipated staff shortages caused by the highly infectious Omicron variant.
Meanwhile, child care and daycare centres remain closed in Niagara Region today as crews continue to clear snow from the roads.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Thankful for the rest of my life': Woman's final goodbye with father captured on video at Winnipeg airport
One woman is expressing her deepest gratitude to the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport after the staff helped her retrieve the security footage of her final moments with her father.
A father who stayed by his son's bedside were among the victims in California's wildfires
An amputee and his son with cerebral palsy were among the 11 deaths in the fires raging around Los Angeles. The father was found at his son’s bedside.
Lone sailor trapped in ice sparks concern in Southern Georgian Bay
A lone sailor living on a sailboat trapped in the Georgian Bay ice has sparked concern among Penetanguishene residents.
Former B.C. premier says she 'misspoke' when claiming she was never a Conservative
Former British Columbia premier Christy Clark, who is considering a run for federal Liberal leader, has backtracked on her claim this week that she'd never been a member of the Conservative party.
U.S. special counsel Jack Smith has resigned
U.S. Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned from the Justice Department effective Friday, according to a court filing.
UPDATED Anita Anand will not seek Liberal leadership
Transport Minister Anita Anand announced on social media Saturday she will not seek the leadership of the Liberal Party, nor will she run for re-election in the riding of Oakville.
This Canadian teen lost her hands and feet, she says more people should know how it happened
A Canadian teen is reaching audiences around the world with powerful social media videos showing life without hands and feet – the price she paid after developing sepsis.
'It's not realistic': Former PM Chretien thinks Trump will back off trade war
Former prime minister Jean Chretien says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is likely to walk back his threat of punishing tariffs and the resulting trade war with Canada, because the Americans are too reliant on a number of Canadian exports, namely in the energy sector.
Heroes in action: Strangers lift car to rescue a woman pinned underneath
A group of good Samaritans teamed up with law enforcement this week to save an elderly woman pinned underneath her car in Lawerence, Mass.