Photo description:

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS 49.8 - Paynes Remote schooling Emby Blum-Payne likes to spend her down time drawing pictures in her play house her dad made for her under her play structure this spring as her neighbour friend, a young girl from next door, peers through the fence boards at her. Minutes earlier she was sitting on her front porch with her iPad online with her class as she finishes her final day of Grade 3 in remote learning. On this particular morning, Emby wasn't her usual chatty, energetic and rambunctious self. Instead, she mostly sat quietly by herself watching a movie. The Paynes have been doing remote schooling this past year because they have a grandparent in the home who is high-risk. Krystal Payne, mom of Grade 3 daughter Emby Blum-Payne, consulted with a child psychologist during the year because of their worries about Emby's wellbeing. Being an only child and chatterbox, the pandemic has been tough on her. She gets easily frustrated with online school, her mother Krystal says. Reporter - Maggie JUNE 26, 2021