My thoughts on this abysmal “Safe Schools” plan. A thread.
1 - “appropriate time to implement the required safety measures”. We shut schools in March. It is now August 4. School is set to open Sept 1. That’s less than ONE MONTH.
2 - “safe attendance” - what are the students at home able to access? Is there an online stream available? Who is administering and funding that. “Quarantine area” - who is supervising this? Are you giving them PPE? No? Cool.
3 - “safe transportation” - we will still cram 90 kids in there, but don’t worry...there’s a seating plan now. Don’t like it? Drive them yourself.
4 - “safe access” - several hundred kids will still be here, but now we have an entrance and exit so it’s ok. Also! There will be arrows on the ground. How could it go wrong?
5 - “safe facilities” - “hand sanitizer wherever possible” but we aren’t paying for it. Consistent sanitation by custodial staff - but not a cent extra to pay for that either.
6 - “safe classrooms” - don’t worry. We told the kids to give air high fives, so we’re good. “Utilizing outdoor spaces” in a province with winter 8 months of the year. “Classroom configuration to minimize contact” - but we still say 30 kids in a classroom is fine. Figure it out
7 - “safe supports” - supports will be in place...but we aren’t dedicating extra money to those either. If your kid is stressed beyond capacity already, then crammed in a school and told to pretend everything is normal, just call Kids Help Phone
8 - “safe activities” - don’t share, make assemblies virtual, maybe do extra curriculars...we aren’t sure
9 - “safe alternatives” - we have 4 vague levels but they have no trigger points/actual wording on when we would move to a higher level....but it’s fine! Trust us.
10 - just using the word “safe” as often as possible is about as effective as saying calories don’t count on weekends.
11 - we have the worst plan in the country. It’s shameful. Do better. Teachers are people. Kids are people. Pretending things are fine and waiting to see if people die isn’t the right choice.
