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Ontario Moves Schools to Remote Learning Following Spring Break

April 13, 2021/in Did you know?/by WLUSA

Continued Rise in COVID-19 Cases Demands Shift to Protect Students and Staff and Slow Community Spread

April 12, 2021

TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has made the difficult decision to move elementary and secondary schools to remote learning following the April break. This move has been made in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants, and the massive spike in hospital admissions.

Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, and Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health.

“We are seeing a rapidly deteriorating situation with a record number of COVID cases and hospital admissions threatening to overwhelm our health care system,” said Premier Ford. “As I have always said we will do whatever it takes to ensure everyone stays safe. By keeping kids home longer after spring break we will limit community transmission, take pressure off our hospitals and allow more time to rollout our COVID-19 vaccine plan.”

With appropriate measures in place, schools have been safe places for learning throughout the pandemic, as confirmed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health and local medical officers of health and have demonstrated low rates of in-school transmission. However, increasing rates of community spread pose a threat to the health and safety of school communities. As a result, all publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools in the province are to move to teacher-led remote learning when students return from the April break on April 19, 2021. Private schools operating in-person this week are to transition to remote learning by April 15, 2021. This action is being taken in support of the Government’s broader efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. Data will be assessed on an ongoing basis and health officials will be consulted to determine when it will be safe to resume in-person learning.

Child care for non-school aged children will remain open, before and after school programs will be closed and free emergency child care for the school-aged children of eligible health care and frontline workers will be provided. To protect the most vulnerable, boards will make provisions for continued in-person support for students with special education needs who require additional support that cannot be accommodated through remote learning.

“This was not a decision we made lightly, as we know how critical schools are to Ontario students. Our priority has always been to keep schools open, however sharply rising community transmission can put our schools and Ontario families at risk,” said Minister Lecce. “While Ontario’s plan has kept schools safe, as confirmed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, we are taking decisive and preventative action today to ensure students can safely return to learning in our schools.”

Case rates, hospitalizations, and ICU occupancy are increasing rapidly, threatening to overwhelm the health care system. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the province have increased by 22.1 per cent between the period of April 4 and 10, 2021. In addition, during this same period of time, Ontario has seen the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care increase from 494 to 605.

Since April 8, the province has been under a provincewide Stay-at-Home order, requiring everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercisewith your household in your home community, or for work that cannot be done remotely. As Ontario’s health care capacity is threatened, the Stay-at-Home order, and other new and existing public health and workplace safety measures, will work to preserve public health system capacity, safeguard vulnerable populations, allow for progress to be made with vaccinations and save lives.

With students moving to remote learning, vaccine prioritization of education workers who provide direct support to students with special education needs across the province, and all education workers in select hot spot areas, starting with Peel and Toronto, will continue. Starting today, special education workers across the province and education workers in Peel and Toronto hot spots will be eligible to register for vaccination by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1‑833‑943‑3900. More information is available at Ontario.ca/covidvaccine.

It is critically important that as Ontarians receive the vaccine, everyone continues to wear a mask, maintain physical distancing when outside of their immediate household and frequently wash their hands. As well, continue to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if symptoms are present.

“As we continue to see rapid growth in community transmission across the province, it is necessary to take extra precautions and measures to ensure the continued health and safety of students, teachers and their families,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “As the fight against this third wave of the pandemic continues, everyone must continue following all public health and workplace safety measures and stay at home to prevent further transmission of the virus, so we can once again resume in person learning in our schools.”

Quick Facts

As of April 10, 2021, Ontario currently has 1,646 COVID-19 patients requiring acute care, which includes 605 patients in ICU, with 382 on a ventilator.
Based on the latest modelling data, cases across the province are continuing to grow and the number of people requiring an intensive care bed is projected to rise to approximately 800 people within the next 10 days.
Some jurisdictions around the world, including those in Canada have implemented similar time-limited measures to respond to a dramatic resurgence in cases. Based on their experiences, measures of four to six weeks are expected to interrupt transmission of COVID-19 in Ontario.
Municipalities and local medical officers of health may have additional restrictions or targeted requirements in their region.
Get tested if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, or if you have been advised of exposure by your local public health unit or through the COVID Alert App. Visit Ontario.ca/covidtest to find the nearest testing location.
Prior to April break, more than 99 per cent of students and staff did not have a current case of COVID-19. Since September, 99.2 per cent of students and 98.6 per cent of staff never reported a COVID-19 case.

Additional Resources

Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19
Learn about Ontario’s vaccination program to help protect us against COVID-19.
Support for parents/students
COVID-19: enhanced public health and workplace safety measures
COVID-19 public health measures and advice

Staycation ideas for April break 2021 [via OTIP]

April 9, 2021/in OTIP/by WLUSA

With continued restrictions in place on travel and social gatherings, many Canadians are looking for ways to make the most of their April break while keeping themselves and their communities safe. We’ve rounded up a list of eight staycation ideas that you can safely do together at home this spring break.

Learn more at www.otipinsurance.com/article108.

Q&A Session on COVID-19 Vaccines

March 23, 2021/in Uncategorized/by WLUSA

OSSTF is hosting a Q&A Session for Members, parents, and community groups regarding the COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday, March 27th from 12:00pm – 2:00pm. See graphic below for more information and registration details.

How a dash cam can help you save on car insurance [via OTIP]

March 19, 2021/in OTIP/by WLUSA

Are you among the one in ten Canadian drivers who has a dash cam installed in their car? As car safety technology continues to advance and more gadgets become available, dash cams are becoming an increasingly popular topic of conversation. With the average retail price upwards of $100, many drivers are wondering if installing a dash cam is worth it.

Learn more at www.otipinsurance.com/article103.

Celebrate International Women’s Day 2021 with Waterloo Regional District Labour Council

February 25, 2021/in Uncategorized/by WLUSA

Join us for an afternoon of entertainment, conversation and more as we celebrate our “Sheroes” with every accomplishment we’ve made and will make in our communities.

Come for the laughs with our comedians. Hear spoken word that will truly take your breath away. Dance and sing with us in celebration in a safe and inclusive space.

This is a day to reflect on who we are and where we want to be. How we move through a pandemic and how we lift each other up.

Proceeds from our event will be distributed to our local community partners that support all women in our community, especially those in crisis. In the past, this celebration of women has raised funds in support of Women’s Crisis Services, ROOF, SHORE and the YWCA.

Get your tickets here.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Laura Mae Lindo- Kitchener Centre NDP MPP

Beatrice Bruske – UFCW Local 832 Secretary-Treasurer and CLC Presidential Candidate

ARTISTS/ENTERTAINERS:

Tahnee Williams – Spoken Word/Indigenous Poet from 1492 Landback Lane

Martha Chaves – Comedian

Zoe Barrett-Wood – Theatre for Living organizer

McKenzie Vlietstra aka ULTRA VIOLETT Singer/Drag performer

We are all ‘SHEROS”! Happy International Women’s Day!

Myth buster: The truth about working with an insurance broker

February 16, 2021/in OTIP/by WLUSA

If you’ve never worked with an insurance broker, you may have questions about what they do and how they are unique in the market place. Learn how OTIP insurance brokers advocate for thousands of members like you ensuring they make the right choice for their auto and home insurance needs.

Learn more at www.otipinsurance.com/article97.

A Message to OSSTF/FEESO Members from the Provincial Executive

January 22, 2021/in Uncategorized/by WLUSA

The continuing chaos and confusion created by the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, and the Ford government has only served to increase the stress and anxiety that many members are feeling. This is most apparent to those members who are required to enter schools to support students during the remote learning period or in Northern Ontario school boards where many buildings are open fully to in-person learning.

We know that some educational assistants, office and clerical staff, psychological services workers, custodians, technicians, teachers, and other members of the education team are currently in schools that are considered “closed” by the government. At the same time, many education workers and teachers in some northern school boards have returned to in-person learning.

Concerns about a limited or full return to providing in-person learning, supports and services to students are not isolated to individual schools boards. These issues are province-wide. However, inconsistencies in government planning and school boards left to make decisions on their own without clear Ministry of Education direction has perpetuated confusion and anxiety among our members, students, their families and local communities.

OSSTF/FEESO and many other education stakeholders have called on the Minister of Education and the Ford government repeatedly to listen to the voices of frontline educators. They continue to ignore you. We have also called for a full pause to in-person learning until meaningful, clear benchmarks for worker and student safety are established and met.

Public Health authorities appear reluctant to intervene or challenge the government on its decisions. Government decisions on how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, including decisions on what to do with schools, are made without transparency, and we are offered unclear rationale. We continue to call on the government to base its decision-making on evidence-informed health information when it comes to stopping the spread of COVID, especially in schools and communities.

We understand that members may feel defeated and downtrodden by the combination of government ignorance and the pandemic itself. But, there are things that we can all do individually and collectively to ensure our concerns are heard through the noise created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, January 18, a letter was delivered to Minister of Education Stephen Lecce to request a meeting with our President as soon as possible to discuss the urgent circumstances we all find ourselves in. This action accompanies a number of other steps taken by the Provincial Executive and Provincial Office staff to highlight member concerns publicly and to reach out to other education stakeholders and allies to amplify our messages, build coalitions and explore options available to the federation to protect our members and the safety of the communities they work in.

Your local union leaders are working behind the scenes to cite broader safety concerns and are working with local Joint Health and Safety Committees to address them. They are filing grievances and complaints using the legal processes afforded to them. They are engaged in advocacy through your local media, with trustees and with managers. Although these processes take time and can be incredibly frustrating, your input, support, and solidarity are crucial if we hope to achieve success and improved safety now and in the future.

You, the members, need to express your individual concerns if you find yourself in an unsafe situation at work. Talk to your local leaders about using provisions in the Occupational Health and Safety Act appropriately to point out to managers, principals, supervisors, and Ministry of Labour inspectors any unsafe situation at work. Our advocacy is strengthened when members identify health and safety concerns through the legal processes that are afforded to workers.

We must remember that students have a right to an education. We agree completely and whole-heartedly. However, we also believe that students and staff must be safe when receiving that education, and that learning, supports and services to students are best when done in person. It is because of your work that the publicly-funded education system remains strong. It is because of your work that we continue to provide the best learning, supports and services possible to students under the circumstances. It is because of you that we will persevere together. Together, we have strength.

Yours in Federation

Harvey Bischof, President
Paul Caccamo, Vice-President
Karen Littlewood, Vice-President
Earl Burt, Treasurer
Martha Hradowy, Executive Officer
Malini Leahy, Executive Officer
Dave Warda, Executive Officer

Posted January 21, 2021 to OSSTF website

Move over: How to safely respond to emergency vehicles while driving

January 20, 2021/in OTIP/by WLUSA

Seeing flashing lights approach you as you’re driving can be stressful. Some drivers panic and don’t effectively move out of the way, causing delays for emergency vehicles. The acronym “L.I.G.H.T.” will help you calmly and safely clear the way with five simple steps.

Learn more at www.otipinsurance.com/article95.

Laurier community supports Canadian Blood Services with 477 blood donations

January 13, 2021/in Uncategorized/by WLUSA

Jan. 13, 2021

“Extraordinary” sums up Wilfrid Laurier University’s support for Canadian Blood Services in 2020.  

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Laurier donors contributed 477 units of blood to Canadian Blood Services – a record-breaking amount that surpassed the university’s pledge goal by 127 donations.  

“The pandemic has changed many things, but not the continued need for life-saving blood donors,” says Carleen Carroll, assistant vice-president: External Relations at Laurier. “The Laurier community has stepped up to support Canadian Blood Services so that they can provide blood to those in need. I am incredibly proud of our Laurier blood donors.” 

Laurier faculty, staff, students and alumni regularly rolled up their sleeves last year with some making milestone donations, including Laurier employee Ted Collins, who donated for his 70th time in December. But roughly one-third of Laurier’s blood donations in 2020 came from a new and competitive group of donors: student-athletes. 

Laurier’s Athletics and Recreation department, which oversees the university’s varsity teams, launched a “blood battle” with its counterpart at the University of Waterloo. The battle, which began in October, pits varsity teams against one another to see who can make the most blood donations. While the Golden Hawks currently lead in donations, the friendly competition runs throughout March.

“The donation battle has been an excellent way to support Canadian Blood Services and the work they do to save lives,” says KP Anand, associate director: business operations with Athletics and Recreation at Laurier. “Athletics is proud of our donors and looks forward to watching – and hopefully winning – the battle in the coming months.” 

All members of the Laurier community can support the university’s Canadian Blood Services pledge by using Laurier’s pledge ID, WILF001529, when donating or completing the Partners for Life registration form.  

It is safe to donate blood during COVID-19. Visit the Canadian Blood Services website for details about donor health requirements, screening measures and cleaning practices. If you are unsure if you are eligible to donate, please visit the Canadian Blood Services eligibility page or call 1-888-2-DONATE to speak with a nurse.

Taken from wlu.ca/news

OSSTF Statement of Solidarity in Support of India’s Farm Workers

December 18, 2020/in 2020/by WLUSA

December 18, 2020 — The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) represents over 60,000 education workers and teachers across the Canadian province of Ontario. Our organization takes labour and worker rights seriously, and as such, we are writing to offer our solidarity with the farmers of India as they bravely stand for their rights as essential workers in the country.

The over three weeks of protest by farmers in India demonstrates their deep solidarity and resolve in standing firm against a government that is prioritizing corporate greed and commercialization of agriculture over the rights of independent farmers across the country. As the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Indian Farmers Union) notes, without proper consultation with the grassroots stakeholders about laws impacting their livelihood, there can be no real trust in the promises of the government.

As a trade union, we believe in the power of workers to unite and oppose labour rights violations and commercialization. The more than 10,000 Indian farmers and members of the Indian Farmers Union peacefully demonstrating in the streets of Delhi are a clear example of the power of workers united.

OSSTF/FEESO offers our solidarity as they continue to campaign for the rights of farm workers in India. We are hopeful that the continued peaceful fight will bring about change to the newly-imposed laws and will ensure protections for India’s farmers.

In Solidarity,

Harvey Bischof, President

Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation.