Teachers and parents are getting their protest signs ready for their day of action tomorrow.
On Wednesday, July 29, the Ontario Parent Action Network is hosting rallies at MPP offices across the province starting at noon so families can share their concerns about school reopenings with their MPP.
Locally, a rally will be taking place at Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin’s office at 237 Mapleview Dr. E., Unit 1.
“I think a lot of parents in our community are worried about the safe reopening of our schools and it seems as if the provincial government hasn’t been very interested in meeting with educators, school boards or families to discuss plans for a safe reopening,” said event organizer and local teacher Pekka Reinio.
Wednesday will mark the third day of a three-day action plan through the Ontario Parent Action Network. On Monday, letters were sent to Premier Doug Ford outlining concerns and on Tuesday night, parents and educators are participating in a #SafeSeptember Tweetstorm on Twitter.
“There are lots of people who have been participating in these days of action, and hopefully we get a decent turn out tomorrow,” said Reinio.
While materials will be provided, attendees are encouraged to make their own signs at home before attending the rally.
Physical distancing and masks will be required. Hand sanitizer will also be provided.
“We want to make sure we have all precautions in place so no one is at risk of catching COVID,” said Reinio.
At the local public and Catholic boards, work is underway to prepare three scenarios for what back-to-school could look like this year during COVID-19: a distance learning plan (online learning), a return-to-school plan with safety modifications, and a hybrid of the two called an adapted model plan. Boards had been told they were to submit plans to the Ministry of Education by Aug. 4, after which time the Minister of Education would make a decision on how schools would be opening in September.
For our full story on the status of those decisions locally and how some local teachers are feeling about it, click here.
However, last Thursday, Lecce said the school reopening plans would be announced this week in consultation with provincial health officials.
On Monday, Simcoe County District School Board chair Jodi Lloyd said the school boards are still being consulted through weekly conference calls between the ministry and school board chairs across the province, where feedback has been provided to the minister.
“We are not, per se, at the central command table actively participating in the discussion in regards to back-to-school,” said Lloyd.
The boards are still coming up with the three plans so the board can be prepared in the event plans need to pivot due to any COVID-19 outbreaks.
“It won’t be ‘if’ there’s outbreaks, it will be ‘when’ there’s outbreaks,” said Lloyd. “We still have not received from that central command table what the protocols will be for reopening. That information is critical to us for us to be able to put together plans and cost those plans. I think it is urgent.”
If you have any questions about the rally, contact Reinio at [email protected].
