A Richmond parent has been pushing for more remote learning, especially for her son with autism, but also for students whose family members are vulnerable.
Kaye Banez thought at first this week her son would be accommodated via remote learning through the Catholic independent school district after initial communication, but reading the documents more closely, she realized he could have remote learning only if he became sick.
Banez said this means “if they get COVID, they can still do homework.”
On Thursday, however, she received a letter from the Catholic school district that clarified they are waiting for more information from the ministry next week on independent schools.
Banez said she is working “non-stop” advocating for children with special needs like her son, Lazarus, to be able to do remote learning but still have access to therapies they normally get through their school.
Banez is fearful her son will lose $20,400 in therapies, normally funded from the province via the school, in the event he doesn’t have a remote-learning option and she home-schools him.
On Wednesday, the Richmond School District announced its students with complex medical issues or who are immune-compromised will be receive full support at home for their learning.
Banez said she wished support for vulnerable students were standard across the province, rather than each school district deciding on its own plan.
