A plan for reopening education in Ontario includes in-class and online learning options.
That’s what school boards, students and parents will face in September when the new school season starts.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says elementary students will be in class five days a week while secondary students will be in class up to 50 per cent of the time.
Lecce says students in Grades 4-12 will have to wear non-medical masks or cloth coverings while in class, while children in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encouraged to in common areas, but it won’t be mandatory.
Some secondary school students will attend classes with up to 15 students attending on alternate days and learning online on others.
“As we’ve always said, we will continue to respect the choice and authority of parents,” said Lecce. “The choice of whether to enrol their children for in-school instruction, the choice of determining when and if they feel comfortable with their child’s re-entering school during the year and the expectation and delivery of live online teacher-led synchronous learning for their child when they are not in school.”
It will be up to each school board in Ontario to create a plan under each scenario.
Most schools will open on September 8th.
The Province has earmarked $309 million for the school year.
Social distancing and limiting visitors to schools are also included in the plan.
We’re reopening schools & investing $309M keep students and staff safe in September.
Our plan includes:
🍎$50M for 500 nurses
🍎$80M for additional staffing
🍎$60M for PPE
🍎$75M for over 1200 custodians and cleaning supplies https://t.co/pdRw1HU88O pic.twitter.com/SDWFwvYQ20— Doug Ford (@fordnation) July 30, 2020
We are helping more moms and dads return to work as Ontario’s economy gets back on track.
Starting September 1, child care centres and EarlyON Child and Family Centres can open at full capacity while maintaining strict & enhanced health and safety protocols.
— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) July 30, 2020
To watch the Provincial address for July 30th, see below.
https://www.facebook.com/FordNationDougFord/videos/303763374314946/