Despite issues experienced by some other boards in Southwestern Ontario, the Lambton Kent District school board has been trending well with its absences, its director of education says.
Speaking during an April 21 media call, John Howitt said officials at the board continue to monitor the situation.
“(April 20) was the best attendance for both staff and students that we have had in April,” he said. “We had 8.56 per cent of staff absent … and 11.75 per cent of students absent.
“Students have been generally trending down since April 1. The staff have been hovering in the nine to 10 per cent, with one peak of 11 per cent.”
A representative for the St. Clair Catholic District school board wasn’t on the media call.
Howitt said public board officials remain cautiously optimistic given the latest figures, and hope the absentee rates will continue to decrease in the coming weeks.
“Too early to say (we’re) ‘happy,’ but attendance is continuing to be higher than we would normally expect for this time of year,” he said. “However, we’re pleased that it is trending down and not higher than it could be.”
As of last month, pandemic restrictions were lifted throughout Ontario schools.
Masks are no longer required while on school board property or on student transportation, unless directed by the COVID-19 daily school screening tool, which is now optional for students, staff and visitors.
Students also aren’t mandated to adhere to cohort requirements, nor are they required to physically distance.