.@AndreaHorwath up now, introduces @etfopresident as well as a local St. Paul's parent. Horwath notes the superhuman efforts of parents since March. Notes the "bargain basement" back to school plan that doesn't inspire confidence in our school communities. #topoli#onpoli#Onted
Parents have no options if their child is sick in the morning; there's no paid sick days available, with the government removing the 2 paid sick days from the previous government. Also class collapsing will drive up numbers & full school buses. #topoli#Onpoli#onted
Horwath notes that months ago, parents were promised paid sick days; they never materialized. Horwath urges Premier Ford to assure parents that paid sick days will be available to them. It's critical to make back to school work. #topoli#onpoli#onted#SmallerIsSafer
Horwath notes that if she was premier, she would have got started much earlier to find available space and funding for smaller cohorts, addressing ventilation and a host of other items that were left to the last minute by this government. #topoli#Onpoli#onted
.@etfopresident up now, reminds that back in June the government promised that school class sizes would be capped at 15, with Physical Distancing occurring in the class and on the bus. That isn't happening; promises were broken. Classes & buses at capacity now. #topoli#Onted
.@etfopresident notes that buses will be full and some classes only have 35cm between students; that's unacceptable. Classes are collapsed and in some places multiple grade splits happening (4/5/6). Empty classrooms abound. Gov't must fix this. #topoli#Onpoli#onted
Elementary school parent up now, notes that with 1 1/2 weeks to go, there's still no plan for #PhysicalDistancing. Notes the government has cherrypicked advice, ignoring advice around #PhysicalDistancing and ventilation. This is unsafe, and risks our school communities. #onted
Telling parents they can opt out of back to school and that children must stay home when sick is unworkable and inequitable. Paid Sick leave is mandatory for this to work. Premier Ford said he wished he could do more. He can fund smaller class sizes & Paid Sick Leave. #onted
.@etfopresident notes that one board (UGDSB) has implemented streaming of in class to remote learners. This is an inequitable approach and is impossible for the teacher to keep all students engaged. I agree this is a bad idea. #topoli#Onpoli#Onted
.@ColinDMello asks about 70% of parents opting to return to class, what does that say to you? @etfopresident rejects the premise that parents are "comfortable" sending their kids back to school; they have no other option. #topoli#Onpoli#onted
.@ColinDMello asks @etfopresident about collapsed classes; does he expect boards to use their reserves to avoid this? Hammond responds that he expects the Ministry of Education to adequately fund education. #topoli#onpoli#onted
.@etfopresident notes that individual members can refuse unsafe work. It cannot be done collectively. Individual circumstances would drive this refusal.
Horwath correctly notes that HVAC replacements must start just as school ends, to ensure proper asbestos abatement. This isn't the kind of thing you can fund or plan last minute. #topoli#Onpoli#Onted
Horwath calls the collapsing of classes, creating empty classrooms "shocking" and "ridiculous". Many classes approaching 30. If we have spaces in schools where children can properly Physical Distance, we should use them! #topoli#Onpoli#Onted
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.@m_layton asks @ BOH should masks be worn in schools? Dr. De Villa responds that masks in schools are provincial jurisdiction. Her advice is due to being in a period of high covid19 activity we should use all tools. She highly recommends masks in school. #topoli#onpoli#onted
.@m_layton asks why TPH doesn’t have the authority to impose masks in school? Dr. De Villa notes the province has made clear that schools are their purview. They have some leeway at a school level to impose masking.
.@KateMMulligan asks about the PHO report that suggests reimplementing mandatory mask mandates is recommended. What can TPH do and not do with respect to mask mandates? Dr. De Villa notes risk profile will go up and down going forward. Recommends masks now. #topoli
Dr. Juni says we’re noticing increases in wastewater and other signals. Notes the lifting of mask mandates was too soon, done in the absence of supporting data. #topoli#onpoli
Will livetweet Minister Lecce's back to school presser, set to start 1:30, on this thread. You can tune in here: #topoli#onpoli#Onted
And we're 10 minutes late.
Minister Lecce up, thanks Dr. Moore. Acknowledges difficulty families are facing, notes that students should be in school. Pivots were required to ensure community safety. Confirms back to school on January 17th.
First Q at Minister Elliott's presser is about schools. What health data has led to the conclusion to reopen schools? Minister Elliott responds she knows schools are good for students, notes govt has done everything they can to make schools safe, doesn't answer Q. #onpoli#onted
Why not make PCR tests available to students, staff and daycare to increase their level of confidence that schools are safe? Minister Elliott notes PCR tests will be available for symptomatic students & staff. 3.5 million RATs have been received & are off to schools. #Onted
Matt Anderson notes that the demand for PCR tests have dropped since they changed testing requirements, now can redirect PCR tests to schools.