As school boards blend in-person and virtual classes, criticism emerges for hybrid model

For Steven Ferracane, a teacher in Vaughan, Ont., and some of his Grade 5 students, it was the first day of school all over again this week, as the York Catholic District School Board, north of Toronto, introduced a new pandemic scenario combining in-person and online learners in the same classrooms. 'It went OK considering it was our first day. The remote students, they all showed up on time, eager to learn,' said Ferracane, who now simultaneously teaches 15 fifth-graders in a classroom at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Elementary School, with seven more logging on live from home. 'We're actually so happy to welcome them back to our school.'