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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.