Earlier this week, the Premier made an announcement about BC’s plan to slowly start reopening the economy and various public services. While we still don’t have the specifics about what that means for schools and teachers’ work, the @bctf is working hard on members’ behalf. 1/
Health & safety is the top priority. We are working closely with officials at the Ministry of Education as they develop provincial health safety standards. Remember, the best source of accurate information is @bctf & your local teachers’ association. /2
It’s best if members avoid the speculation and rumours that circulate on social media. As always, TY for your hard work, creativity, & commitment to your students. We realize how hard you are working right now to support your students thru ERL in very difficult circumstances. 3/
We know members have many questions and concerns. We share those concerns and are working around the clock with our local associations to ensure any expansion of on-site work is safe and takes into account the many variables members are facing. 4/
We don’t have all the answers yet and we know the ambiguity can be unsettling. But, we want to assure teachers, we are representing you & making sure your views & concerns influence the decisions. That takes time. 5/
None of us have ever been in this situation before and no one wants to see BC’s good progress in the fight against the virus move backwards.
There is a lot to consider as we move towards a time when more staff and students are in schools. 6/
There is a lot to consider as we move towards a time when more staff and students are in schools. 6/
It’s likely that many members will be back in schools before the end of June in some capacity & on different timelines. For some, that may be without students. For others, it could include small groups. 7/
There are many teachers who have been working in schools all along and we have learned from their experiences. We know workload is an issue and any return to in-school learning cannot increase that workload. 8/
Teachers can’t be expected to maintain ERL at the same time they are working with small groups of students in classrooms. We also know there are many members who have health issues or are taking care of loved ones who do. 9/.
As Dr. Bonnie Henry has said, those folks need to continue with strong social distancing. We’re pushing to make sure those folks have access to accommodations. We know that there needs to be more custodians in our schools and better cleaning practices. 10/
There needs to be changes to classroom layouts and access to hot water. Just like grocery stores have one-way lanes & physiotherapists will be allowed to reopen soon with proper safety protocols, our schools need adaptations and strong standards too. 11/
Key points from the Premier’s announcement:
1. There is no date for the resumption of in-class learning yet. We anticipate more students will be offered in-class instruction before the end of June and expect an announcement to this effect in the coming weeks. 12/
1. There is no date for the resumption of in-class learning yet. We anticipate more students will be offered in-class instruction before the end of June and expect an announcement to this effect in the coming weeks. 12/
The education sector is working together towards the full resumption of in-class instruction, when it is safe, likely at some point this fall.
2. There are 5,000 children of essential workers& complex learners that have been in school all along with teachers and support staff.13
2. There are 5,000 children of essential workers& complex learners that have been in school all along with teachers and support staff.13
It has been safe and done under the guidance of health officials. In the weeks to come, not immediately, there will be a slow expansion of in-school instruction. The Premier stated it would be voluntary for students for what is left of the current school year. 14/
3. The planning &details are still in the works and folks need to be patient. @bctf & our locals will be part of that process and working hard on teachers’ behalf. School districts are encouraging, &in some cases expecting, more teachers to be in schools over the coming weeks.15/
At this point, the return is without students. The BCTF is working directly with government on provincial health and safety standards for districts.
4. Safety remains the top priority. No one wants to set BC’s progress on containing the spread of the virus back. 16/
4. Safety remains the top priority. No one wants to set BC’s progress on containing the spread of the virus back. 16/
The Premier said during his announcement, “we will not move ahead unless it is safe to do so.” There is no reason to doubt that. When it comes to how the province as a whole “reopens” the economy &various sectors, BC is using the term “phases.” 17/
BC has been in Phase 1 for many weeks now. The goal is to move to Phase 2 within the next two weeks. That means allowing small social gatherings and the reopening of some businesses &services with appropriate health and safety adaptations. 18/
For the K–12 education system, the Ministry of Education is using the term “stages.” These stages are goals with no hard dates. Again, there is a lot of work left to do and folks should avoid making any assumptions about when the sector will move from stage to stage. 19/
There will be no movement between stages unless public health officials agree that it is safe to do so. Any return to in-class instruction for students will be voluntary in stage 3. 20/
An announcement on the staged approach to resuming some in-class instruction will be made in the coming weeks, there is a lot of work to do before that happens. It will not be a return to normal and all of the education partners understand that they cannot just flip a switch. 21/
The resumption of in-class learning for some students is a part of the overall phased plan to restart BC, as the Premier described in the announcement this week. 22/
Thank you so much for all you are doing to support your students during this incredibly uncertain and difficult time in our history. You are spending so many hours connecting with students and providing them a sense of some normalcy. 24/
Your work matters and is critical right now to the social fabric of BC. We know teachers and schools are the heart of our communities across the province, you continue to provide this stability remotely. 25/
You care deeply about your students and that is evident in everything you are doing and all the hours you are spending making these important connections. Students and families are so appreciative of all your time and energy, and so are we. 26/
We know you still have questions and concerns. The @bctf and our locals have your backs and will continue to work hard throughout this pandemic to ensure your safety is a top priority in all the decision making. #bced #InItTogether
