District School Board of Niagara chair Sue Barnett understands the new education protocols announced Monday as a result of the surging pandemic, but is not satisfied with the premier’s plan.
“I understand the risk, and I even know why they’ve delayed the high school by two more weeks,” said Barnett. “But I want the kids back in school as soon as is safely possible. I want our staff and our students to be taken care of.”
She added, “What we now know is that schools are the safest place for our children.”
All publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools are to move to teacher-led remote learning on Jan. 4, when students return from their winter break.
Elementary school students will use teacher-led remote learning from Jan. 4 until Jan. 8 when they return to in-person learning.
Secondary school students will continue learning remotely until Jan. 25, at which point they may resume in-person learning.
Local Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario president Brian Barker expressed concern that the Ontario government is being short-sighted.
“While the government acknowledges that there needs to be a necessary action to reduce the number of COVID cases across the province, this isn’t a long-term solution. It’s a pivot for five days. We have seen the recent spike in positive cases in our local schools.
“School boards are doing all they can, with the resources they have available. Unless the Ford government wants to address the real issues — reducing class sizes to 15 to allow physical distancing, improving ventilation in our schools and mandatory masking for all students — COVID numbers will continue to trend in the wrong direction.”
DSBN education director Warren Hoshizaki sent home a letter to parents reaffirming the new Jabnuary schedule.
Parents can expect to receive more information from school principals after Christmas.
Hoshizaki also confirmed elementary school parents could expect an email from their child’s teacher on Jan. 4 regarding the remote learning schedule. If a child needs a remote-learning device, they should contact their school on Jan. 4.
For secondary schools, Hoshizaki said principals “will follow up with more detailed information regarding specialty programs,” although a date was not available.
The province confirmed school boards are required to make provisions for continued in-person support for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.
DSBN couldn’t confirm what those provisions would be but did indicate it is working on a plan.
Niagara Catholic District School Board and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association were reached out to, but no one was available for comment.
- Sean Vanderklis, Niagara Falls Review, Local Journalism Initiative
