All schools to re-open despite stay-at-home order!
Ontario Minister of Education has issued a public notice on expected school re-opening after April break. All province’s schools will re-open for in-person learning, according to the letter. The Minister, Stephen Lecce, confirmed both private and public elementary and secondary schools are scheduled to re-open despite the recent stay-at-home order. However, some schools in “hot spot” regions will move to virtual learning until the number of covid-19 cases reduces in those areas. Regional leaders have the authority to shift learners from in-person to remote education to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
School boards authorized to make best-interest decisions.
School boards and management are now deliberating whether it is possible to return for in-person learning after April break. The Toronto District School Board stated to parents that the decision to open for in-person or remote learning would be communicated by the end of the week. Parents will receive emails and other circulars after the final decision has been made. Stephen Lecce shared that parents should take all necessary preventive measures to prevent contact with people outside their households. Lecce noted that if parents let their guards down, it could compromise the safe re-opening of schools.
Doctor Vinita Dubey, a medical officer in Toronto, has shared that parents should also be ready for extended school closure depending on reports on Covid-19 data in the city. To fight the scourge and reduce the growing numbers of Covid-19, public health officials must employ more robust preventive measures. Dubey has shared that some difficult decisions must be used to protect all school people, including teachers, students, and other subordinate staff.
Do not let your guard down, minister warns
Education workers who support learners with special needs in the province’s high-risk areas are scheduled to receive vaccines next Monday. This comes after the federal government authorized the need to vaccinate essential workers at high risk of contracting and transmitting coronavirus. The minister also emphasized the need for all people to continue wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing when in public.
Peel District School Board has confirmed that the school will resume in-person learning on April 19 unless health officials advise otherwise. Any new developments will be promptly communicated to parents, one of the board officials has confirmed.
Doctor Vera Etches in Ottawa has warned that with the current situation, schools can remain closed after April 19. In a written statement, Etches shared that a decision will be communicated to parents by Wednesday. Similarly, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has shared that an official communication about whether the school will re-open for in-person learning will be made available by Thursday evening. York Region District School Board that while the school remains open for in-person learning, parents should get prepared to have remote learning if the situation changes.
