Extension of learning at home rather than school frustrates some Regina families

Some Regina parents are not surprised in-person classes are being pushed back even further, but they are frustrated.

COVID-19 cases and cases of variants of concern are forcing the public and Catholic school divisions in Regina to move the return date on when students will return to the classroom.

That return date stands as May 3, but many parents feel like the date will continue to be pushed back.

Savanna Matthies is one of those frustrated parents. Her son, who is in kindergarten, has not found distance learning easy.

“I was not made to be his classroom teacher, so we’re both extremely frustrated with each other,” Matthies said. “If I wanted to be a teacher, I would have gone to university to become a teacher.

“He just wants to be at school. He does not want to be at the kitchen table with his mom anymore.”

Matthies says she has noticed mood changes in her son and she is worried about his social skills the longer he is out of the classroom.

“I just wish the government would find a way for the teachers who want to be vaccinated to get vaccinated,” Matthies said. “I would even say give them give my vaccine, delay mine.

“I just want my son in a classroom.”

According to the Saskatchewan government, teachers could be prioritized for a shot in mass vaccination clinics as soon as eligibility has been opened to everyone aged 40 and older. The government said that change in eligibility could happen April 28.

Meanwhile, Greg Johnston’s daughter is in the fourth grade. He wants her to be able to “feel like a kid again.”

“They don’t feel normal as it is, now being stuck at home and not being able to see their friends and teachers,” Johnston said.

“It’s definitely been hard on her. There’s just way too many distractions at home that prevent her from getting work done.

“I just want the proper education for my child. She needs to be with friends in class and enjoying being a kid.”

The schools made the switch to virtual classrooms on March 29 and students were supposed to return to the classroom on Monday.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an amended version of this story, correcting the date when Regina schools moved to online learning.