Return to school
With the return to school comes the return of school buses to our roadways. This requires drivers to pay extra attention as buses will make frequent stops to pick up and drop off students. Be patient! Watch for the STOP sign, and leave a safe space between your vehicle and the school bus.
Failure to stop for a school bus can result, for a first offence, in $400 to $2,000 fines, and six demerit points. In addition, vehicle owners can be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus, even if they weren’t driving.
For more information, visit the Ministry of Transportation’s school bus safety website.
Vaccines protect your child and your family from COVID-19
Vaccines are safe, effective, and will help everyone to safely go to school, work, and participate in activities again. It’s important for everyone eligible to be vaccinated, including children who are turning 12 years of age in 2021 (born in 2009) or older.
Most children with COVID-19 will have mild or no symptoms, however some children can get very sick. Children can also spread COVID-19 to other people.
For more information on vaccines, visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s Getting your COVID-19 vaccine page or the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s Youth and COVID-19 vaccination page.
Dealing with anxiety and uncertainty
After months of being at home, returning to school may feel unusual, and for some, it may trigger anxiety and questions related to personal safety. We’ve spent over a year reminding our kids to use masks, practice social distancing, and wash their hands. We are now looking to create a “new normal” of safe routines as we return to school.
What can you do when you are faced with this anxiety and uncertainty? Here are two key pointers:
- validate their feelings
- set the tone
For further information on how you might support your student’s mental health and well-being during their return to school, download School Mental Health Ontario’s tip sheet.
