June 2nd new deadline to say if students will be remote learning this fall for public board

The Waterloo Region District School Board says June 2 at 4 p.m. is the new deadline for parents, caregivers or students to say if they'll be learning remotely this fall.

All students are assumed to be returning to in-person learning, the board noted on its website. People only need to contact the student's school if they choose remote learning for the fall. The decision will be for the entire school year.

Families who had indicated, prior to the previous deadline of May 3, that they wanted remote learning, but have since changed their minds, are asked to contact the student's school.

People with questions are also asked to contact the school to talk to a teacher, guidance counsellor or principal.

"We appreciate that making this decision may be difficult for families given the current health situation in Ontario," the board's post says.

Parents have previously criticized the board for asking parents to make a decision about the fall four months ahead of time. One parent also noted that it's unclear whether French immersion would be offered through remote learning, which adds to the stress of having to make the decision.

It remains unclear whether there will be a return to in-person learning before the end of the current school year as the province's stay-at-home order has been extended to June 2. Students are scheduled to begin school in the fall on Sept. 7.