Greater Victoria students, educators celebrate end of pandemic school year
Thursday was the last day of classes for students in School District 61. To say that this school year has had its challenges would be an understatement.
“As a registered nurse, the schools did amazing,” said Kerri Morash, a mother of two children that attend Victoria West Elementary School. “We’re going to have a great summer.”
Student Isla Zemanek agrees, saying she doesn’t feel like she missed out on much throughout this pandemic school year.
“My favourite thing of school is I get to play,” said Zemanek.
“We’re just super happy that it’s finished and everyone was safe,” said Patricia Sharratt, a parent at the school.
Over at the school district office, nobody is mincing their words when it comes to looking back at this year.
“This year has been pretty energy-draining,” said Deb Whitten, the deputy superintendent.
Looking ahead to next year, if immunization rates continue to be strong and COVID-19 infection numbers stay low, the way students learn should return to near normal. “Moving away from learning cohorts, having kids interact with other kids throughout the school,” said Whitten.
For Margaret Young over at Quadra Elementary, the last day of school was bittersweet.
“I’m retiring today after all those years,” said Young.
Young has been an educational assistant and one of the school’s crossing guards for the past 29 years.
“I’ve known these kids for so many years,” said Young. “I’m going to miss every one of them.”
Young says she’s looking forward to spending more time with her family.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
1 killed, 3 injured including toddler, after Hwy. 417 crash in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.