2 Abbotsford, B.C., schools close to in-person learning over 'operational limitations'
Two more B.C. schools appear to have been impacted by COVID-19 cases in the community, forcing them to close temporarily to in-person learning.
Tuesday night, the Abbotsford School District posted a notice saying W.J. Mouat Secondary and Yale Secondary would be closed for in-person instruction for the rest of the week. The schools intend to reopen on Monday.
The district didn't specify why the schools were closed, only to say it was "due to operational limitations." More details were expected to be sent to families and school staff.
Staff shortages due to the spread of COVID-19 have forced other B.C. schools to functionally close in recent weeks.
A school in Mission closed for several days "due to higher than usual staffing absences." Heritage Park Middle School isn't expected to reopen until Thursday after first closing last Friday. Students were moved to a remote-learning plan for those days.
"I know this will cause considerable challenges for some families and is not a desirable situation for any of us," Mission Public Schools Supt. Angus Wilson said in a statement. "I apologize for any difficulties this unexpected event places on families."
An independent school in Surrey also recently functionally closed.
BC Teachers' Federation President Teri Mooring says they want to see more safety measures for schools like prioritized booster shots and the approval and distribution of N95 masks.
In spite of a mask mandate for all kindergarten to Grade 12 students, Mooring said some are refusing to wear them.
"This has been an issue for some time. And I think it's become much more intense because people are much more concerned about how transmissible Omicron is," she said.
“Every safety measure that we're calling for, is all designed to keep schools open and safe."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Angela Jung
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.