Back to school update at our Board meeting! All students are now back in school, orientations complete. We’re so glad to have them back! Working with city & Archdiocese to secure space in churches, parks and community centres. #topoli#onpoli#onted
Permits for Community Use of Schools are suspended for October. Staff working on process for some access for November. Communicating with permit applicants. #topoli#onpoli#onted
HR working hard to recruit new hires, fill LTOs and assign 900 teachers for virtual school. Dealing with staging figures with a fluid student population that has been switching from face to face to virtual, and vice versa. #topoli#onpoli#onted
.@AndreaHorwath up now at the Ontario Legislature debating her motion to cap class sizes at 15, wonders why the government didn't ready a back to school plan sooner. The plan that came out ignored advice from Sick Kids to keep class sizes small. #topoli#onpoli#onted
As a result we have class sizes of 28, 30, 32, and 35. (Norm's note: I have heard of classes of at least 28 in my ward). These sizes put extended family at risk. We've seen photos of desks less than 1 ft apart, with 30 little ones crammed in a classroom #topoli#onpoli#Onted
When desks are touching, how can teachers ensured items aren't being shared by kids. Physical distancing is impossible in these situations. Kids are also being crammed onto school buses. How can drivers keep these many kids safe and apart? #topoli#Onpoli#Onted
.@AndreaHorwath up at the Ontario Legislature. Asks the Premier if he'll finally lower class sizes to a safe number to protect students, families and staff? #topoli#onpoli#Onted
.@AndreaHorwath says families are having increasing concerns about covid19, and worried about a 2nd wave, while they are returning their children to unsafe class sizes & buses. Lines for tests are growing longer. Where is the fall plan? #topoli#Onpoli#onted
.@AndreaHorwath charges that the government has been caught off guard, based on the lineups stretching for kms across the province as back to school test numbers predictably rose. Why are we so unprepared for September? #topoli#Onpoli#onted
Listening to Ontario Legislature. @AndreaHorwath noted #covid19 case numbers are over 300. School buses are cancelled because drivers are scared. The Premier said he would spare nothing to ensure September's safe. When will he make good on this promise? #topoli#onted#onpoli
.@AndreaHorwath says experts say 2m of distancing is required to ensure safety. How many students should be on each bus to achieve this? (Norm's note: certainly less than the current full capacity.) #topoli#onpoli#Onted
.@AndreaHorwath noted that each seat on a bus in Ontario had 3 students per seat. How can bus drivers & students stay safe in this situation? #topoli#Onpoli#onted
Finally! On the back to school item! Staff here with an update. Staff is looking into outdoor tents and wood for benches from some outdoor ed motions from last week. 95% of families have responded. Got many schools in the Covid zones down 15, and some are at 20. Working on them.
Staff looking into French Immersion schools and where those students come from to see if the students are from Covid hotspots. Staff is now comfortable with the numbers and can setup classes. Staff working through accommodation requests.
Staff confident that schools can open elementary schools on the 14th. Student timetables coming tomorrow, secondary schools working through the weekend to be ready. Staffing spec Ed in virtual schools, looking to add staff there and French teachers. In person FI good, virtual not