Another stint of virtual learning for parents, students and teachers in Thunder Bay.

Classes will resume Thursday after Premier Doug Ford unveiled the decision to keep kids out of the classroom until Monday, January 17th at the earliest.

“A lot of changes for students, but they seem to be adjusting well,” says Mark Bentz, who teaches with both Lakehead Public Schools as well as Confederation College. “The good news is is that the technology works really well, but in-person teaching is much superior for students. But we do what we can with the tools and circumstances we have at the time.”

Bentz added that the College is virtual with the exception of some hands-on components that are in-person.

“I’ll be starting new courses in the winter, and I won’t get to meet (my students) unless we get back in the classroom sometime this semester,” Bentz noted.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore has said that the defining factor for an end to the latest COVID-19 restrictions will be hospitalization rates.