Have you ever imagined that kids would be attending school online? Me neither! In this article we are going to talk about life in a virtual environment for exempted students from the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. On the 14th of September 2020, SWLSB exempted students, from kindergarten to secondary five, logged into their virtual campus classroom from the comfort and safety of their homes. The kids that are exempted from school stay home because they, or someone in their immediate family, has an illness or disease that can put them or their loved ones at higher risk if they catch COVID-19.

These students got into online school mainly because themselves or a family member have some sort of medical illness. Virtual school is quite different from real school. Students put aside their pencils and paper, and use apps, websites, and programs such as Google Classroom, Zoom, CommonLit, Mathletics, Jamboard, RazKids, Starfall, Quill.org, and many more. These online resources replace workbooks, exercise books, photocopies and handouts. Not only do these students have to learn the curriculum, but they also have to learn how to use the technology and apps.

There are some challenges that these kids have faced as they learned to adapt to their new “classrooms.” Loud background noises, difficulties with technology, many distractions such as video games and other devices with notifications to chat, and the fact that they can't see their friends are definitely some of the cons. Although distance learning can take some getting used to, there are obviously some amazing aspects that are worth noting. For example, some people may have a comfortable chair to learn from, compared to the plastic chairs at school. For those lucky students who have pets in their room with them during school hours, they have their very own pet therapy session within their class time. One of our favourite pros to online learning is giving up lunch boxes, cafeteria food, and hot meals for fresh, home cooked lunches.

While it’s clear that learning from home is possible, we’re certain that students are desperate to know, does this mean snow days will be a thing of the past? Does this mean when it is safe for all to return to school, that every time there is a blizzard, students will have to log on from home? Nevertheless, for now, it is easier for exempted students to stay safe and access school learning opportunities online. Although there is a lot to learn, exempted students of SWLSB are adapting to this new normal.