York Region school board scratches summer camp programs, but summer school ‘proceeding where possible’

Summit Institute programs for senior kindergarten to Grade 8 students scratched to reduce COVID-19 spread

Yorkregion.com
March 11, 2021
Dina Al-Shibeeb

York Region District School Board will not be offering Summer Institute programming this year in hopes of reducing the spread of COVID-19, it announced Wednesday, March 10.

The Summer Institute offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities linked to the school curriculum for children and youth entering senior kindergarten to Grade 8.

Summer school is continuing but no final decision has been made on what exactly it will look like.

“Other summer programs, such as summer school, will be proceeding where possible.” the school board said, adding that families should stay tuned as more information will be provided in the coming weeks.

The public school board's announcement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to being reported in schools.

York Region District School Board's (YRDSB) advisory list on Wednesday, March 10 showed Woodbridge College has as many as 20 COVID-19 cases, forcing the school to close its doors for in-person learning until March 22.

YRDSB's announcement about cancelling Summer Institute programming was met with mixed reaction on social media with some people saying it was "the right call" while others slammed the school board for not figuring out a way to make the camps work.