Tonight I'm reflecting on the incredible & overwhelming work, resilience & commitment of Alberta's teachers, school staff, administrators & school boards over the past 4 months. And I want to tell them all that I bear witness. #ableg#abed
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I watched as my daughter's Kindergarten teacher cheerfully spent extra time outside w/ them so she could take her mask off to show them how her mouth looked when she pronounced French words that were new to them. The kids had no idea this was different than usual. #ableg
I watched as my son's Grade 2 teacher brilliantly signed them up for virtual City Hall School and my son might now be more excited about what happens at City Hall than the Legislature. His teacher has done extraordinary things to keep them engaged & he's never loved school more.
I watched as our school principal & vice principal stood outside every morning, picking up dropped masks, cheerfully reminding kids which door to go in & to stay distanced, while greeting parents & sending regular videos to let us know about changing protocols. #ableg
I watched and listened to our school custodian tell me that in the over 40 years he's been at the school, this year stands out as the hardest in memory, but to proudly talk about the custodial staff and how hard they've worked to keep staff and kids safe & healthy. #ableg
I watched as my husband, an assistant principal at a high school, spent evenings and weekends calling parents & students when he'd get that "ding" on his phone telling him they're had been another case at his school. So so so many dings. #ableg
I watched his tension grow when he realized he'd be calling a student about to come out of their 2nd back-to-back isolation period to tell them they had to isolate for a 3rd time. When at many points, 1/3 of the students and teachers were isolating at one time. #ableg
I watched his stress grow when he'd hear from a parent that a student tested positive and then they'd wait 2 days before AHS would call the school to notify them...then 5 days...then 10 days...then not at all. #ableg
I watched as he realized that managing COVID - contact tracing, rearranging schedules as more students & teachers went online & and then everyone moved online - became his full-time job, rather than working directly w/ the diverse kids in his school to improve their outcomes.
I watched as these Albertans did all that was asked of them and SO MUCH MORE because they are professionals who care about our kids. And they did this despite the clear message from @jkenney that his govt does not care about them or their work. #ableg
And for goodness sakes, the Minister of Education has been pretty much MIA for the last 4 months. #WhereisAdriana could have been trending every day since September. #ableg
But I bear witness to our incredible educators & staff. I see you and all you've done. And I know saying thank you is not enough. But it's the least you deserve. Rest now. Take the break you deserve. And I'll see you again when you're back at it in 2 weeks. #ableg#abed
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At the time we called for it, @jkenney dismissed the idea claiming "It's becoming apparent that the NDP doesn't even understand the science of the rapid testing...because it is scientifically useless on people who are asymptomatic.” cbc.ca/1.5832078
Glad to hear that the Premier was able to put aside his political posturing, get briefed by his health officials & take into consideration that his own govt had already been using rapid testing on travellers at airports. #ableg
An important article about the role of a national child care program for economic recovery. It includes a specific message about the benefit in provinces like Alberta:
“Politically it is important to note that while most of the initiative and fiscal support for national ELCC is coming from Ottawa, provincial governments would benefit enormously from the new system.”
“Provincial GDP would grow, tens of thousands of jobs would be created, and provincial revenues would grow by $8-14 billion per year. In fact, the biggest gains would be experienced in those provinces with the weakest existing ELCC systems: the Prairies and Ontario.”
The “fund-the-parent” model assumes that parents have unfettered choice in child care, which they don’t. Their choices are constrained by cost, location, availability, scheduling, etc. #ableg
It also assumes that all parents are informed “consumers” of child care, which again they aren’t. Most parents don’t know what to look for in terms of “quality” & it may become less of a factor compared to cost, availability, etc. #ableg
There has been some Cdn research that also shows many parents don’t even realize that their private dayhome is unlicensed & not subject to any safety or quality standards. #ableg
“Silver bullets are rare in social policy, but in childcare, one does exist: set up high-quality, universal child care...it will benefit children, families, & the country’s economy. It’s not the cure that’s the mystery here but what took the good doctor so long to prescribe it.”
“It’s not like children are thriving under the status quo. More than one in four Canadian kids enter school without all the skills...to equip them for success.”
First, they don’t want to debate their disastrous Bill 47. That’s the Bill that rolls back protections & supports for workers who are sick/injured at work & who are unsafe at work. During a pandemic. When more workers than ever are unsafe. #ableg
Second, they want to get out of the public eye during their disastrous handling of the pandemic. Being at the Legislature means Question Period & debate & daily questions from the media. They want to hide as Albertans are sick, dying, & their businesses are collapsing. #ableg
Great to see the @CalgaryChamber recognize child care as an economic necessity and highlight the Early Learning & Child Care proposal put forward by the @abndpcaucus as part of Alberta's Future. #ableg#abfuture
One question that arose during the online consultation I held last week was how to get employers & businesses more involved in ensuring their employees have access to quality child care. The pandemic has certainly highlighted for employers that this is a key issue for them too.
I've held great conversations with the @CalgaryChamber, @EdmontonChamber & @albertachambers on this & it was clear that they are very engaged on this issue as well. Ensuring that Alberta parents can get back to work is an economic issue for all of us. #ableg