School Closures in Montreal: A Parent's Perspective

As a parent of two young children, I've been closely following the news about school closures in Montreal. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, from anxiety and uncertainty to relief and gratitude.
At first, I was worried about how my kids would handle being out of school for an extended period. They're both social butterflies, and I feared the isolation would take a toll on them. But to my surprise, they've adapted remarkably well. They've been spending more time playing outside, reading, and connecting with friends virtually.
Of course, there have been challenges. The biggest one has been the lack of structure. Without school, my kids quickly fall into a routine of endless screen time and snacks. It's a constant battle to get them to do any meaningful activities.
But I'm also grateful for the school closures. It's given me an opportunity to spend more quality time with my children. We've had family movie nights, played board games, and gone for long walks in the park. I've gotten to know my kids better and we've grown closer as a family.
I know that not all parents have had the same experience. For some, the school closures have been a financial strain. Others have had to juggle childcare with their jobs. And still others have had to deal with the emotional toll of being isolated from their friends and family.
But amidst all the challenges, I believe that the school closures have also presented us with an opportunity. It's a chance to rethink the way we educate our children. As we start to reopen schools, let's not just go back to the way things were. Let's use this experience to create a more flexible, more equitable, and more innovative educational system for all.

What I've Learned from the School Closures

Here are a few things I've learned from the school closures:

My kids are more resilient than I thought they were.
Spending quality time with my family is more important than anything.
The traditional school system is not always the best way to educate our children.
We need to be more flexible and creative in our approach to education.

A Call to Action

As we start to reopen schools, let's not just go back to the way things were. Let's use this experience to create a more flexible, more equitable, and more innovative educational system for all.
Here are a few ideas:

Offer more flexible scheduling options, such as part-time and online learning.
Provide more support for students and families who need it, such as tutoring and childcare.
Explore more innovative teaching methods, such as project-based learning and experiential learning.

I believe that by working together, we can create a better educational system for our children. A system that is more flexible, more equitable, and more innovative. A system that will prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century.