(#SafeSeptemberNS #COVID19 thread)
For those who ask, "what specifically needs to be improved when it comes to @nseducation's reopening plan?", I offer the following considerations/general state of school readiness 10 days before schools open:
For those who ask, "what specifically needs to be improved when it comes to @nseducation's reopening plan?", I offer the following considerations/general state of school readiness 10 days before schools open:
Despite $50 million in new federal funding, no announcements to lower class sizes & fully physically distance (the gold standard measure of COVID-19 prevention globally) students has been hinted, much less made
Despite $50 million in new federal funding, masking in P-3, where classroom dimensions & class group sizes make physical distancing impossible across the province, is not yet mandatory
Despite a very public commitment (made & emphasized by @zachchurchill since the plan launched July 22) that no immunocompromised student or staff member would be punished, schools are telling families immunocompromised students must withdraw & register for homeschooling...
AND immunocompromised staff are being told, after weeks of waiting to work with RCE/CSAP HR staff unavailable/on vacation throughout August, they must take unpaid leave of absence to protect their health instead of being offered workplace accommodations.
@NSTeachersUnion members have been told children who travel to/attend the same school as members teach in are forbidden to wait in their classrooms after school, leaving hundreds of staff without childcare less than 2 weeks before school opens to students.
Some education entities are considering forcing all substitute teachers to provide unpaid lunch supervision because hiring of lunch monitors was late being announced/begun & there aren't enough to ensure safe supervision
Teachers across NS report that vent grates in classrooms remain filthy, covered in dust, hair & debris, untouched since last March.
Teachers at hundreds of sites report that windows that should be able to be opened remain painted/fused/nailed shut.
Teachers at hundreds of sites report that windows that should be able to be opened remain painted/fused/nailed shut.
Teachers across NS report that non-medical masks, PPE, sanitizer for classroom desks & learning materials, handwashing stations are not available on site.
Teachers at 100's of schools report the absence of functioning soap dispensers in school bathrooms.
Teachers at 100's of schools report the absence of functioning soap dispensers in school bathrooms.
Teachers at 100's of school sites report no established safety/movement plans.
WHMIS training is mandated, but many sites are not allowing teachers to use computers to complete it online OR don't have access keys to staff to access this training from home.
WHMIS training is mandated, but many sites are not allowing teachers to use computers to complete it online OR don't have access keys to staff to access this training from home.
Schools have no protocol/access to public health staff to assess COVID-19 symptoms or isolate sick students or staff.
Schools have no protocol to communicate with families or staff when an outbreak occurs.
Schools have no protocol to communicate with families or staff when an outbreak occurs.
Schools don't have technology on hand/lists of students identified to ensure resources are in place if a shift to blended learning/fully remote learning becomes necessary.
Teachers remain without direction or training on proper sanitization of learning materials (manipulatives, tools in Tech Ed, sewing/cooking equipment in Family Studies, Phys Ed equipment, Graphing Calculators in HS math, etc) AND which learning resources must not be used
Teachers remain without direction on how legally mandated safety drills (fire drills, active shooter drills, etc) are to be conducted in compliance with public health directives.
This might be a long string of tweets, but it's only scratching the surface of the MOUNTAIN of mundane operational details there are no answers, resources or plans to address.
When teachers say "we're not ready," it's not because they're unwilling to flex and adapt.
When teachers say "we're not ready," it's not because they're unwilling to flex and adapt.
It's because they are completely, utterly without direction on how school is supposed to work in 10 days when students arrive. Let. That. Sink. In.
Starting next week, @NSTeachersUnion is calling on all #nsed school staff, parents & students to post on social media using #SafeSeptemberNS #readynotready to illustrate the state of our schools.
10 days isn't much time, but we can use it ALL to push for needed improvements.
10 days isn't much time, but we can use it ALL to push for needed improvements.
How else can parents, students, community & staff stand together?
1. Head over to actforeducation.ca & write your MLA!
2. Sign & SHARE the petition at change.org/p/nova-scotia-…
1. Head over to actforeducation.ca & write your MLA!
2. Sign & SHARE the petition at change.org/p/nova-scotia-…
@threadreaderapp please compile
