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OPSBA in the Media – June 2021

2021 6/2 | Connects Page, OPSBA in the Media

UGDSB director of education receives Fred L. Bartlett Memorial Award
The Wellington Advertiser – Jun. 23, 2021
GUELPH – The Upper Grand District School Board’s (UGDSB) director of education Martha Rogers has been named the recipient of the Fred L. Bartlett Memorial Award.
The award is presented annually by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and honours “an active or retired member of the teaching profession for outstanding contribution to education in Ontario.”
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Guelph public school board director Martha Rogers wins education award
Guelph Mercury Tribune – Jun. 16, 2021
Martha Rogers, longtime director of education for Guelph’s public school board, is being honoured by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association for her contribution to education in the province.
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Toronto school plans drive-in grad, as York board says students to get ‘drive-thru’ celebration
The Toronto Star – Jun. 15, 2021
Coming soon to a drive-in theatre near you: The class of 2021.
At least one Toronto school has rented out a drive-in in July to host its graduation ceremony, while others have planned drive- or walk-bys on site to give students a bit of a boost as they end their high school careers — and social isolation — during COVID.
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Cathy Abraham elected president of school boards association
The Peterborough Examiner – Jun. 14, 2021
Longtime Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board trustee Cathy Abraham will serve as president of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) for the 2021-22 school years.
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‘Convenient ignorance:’ Canadians’ knowledge of residential schools woefully lacking
The Canadian Press – Jun. 6, 2021
TORONTO — Widespread shock at the discovery of what are believed to be the buried remains of 215 Indigenous children has highlighted the pervasive ignorance among many Canadians of one of the most sordid, and as yet incomplete, chapters in Canada’s national story, experts and observers say.
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‘Nope, it’s not worth it anymore.’ Attendance sliding at Ontario’s virtual schools as parents and kids burned out
The Toronto Star – Jun. 4, 2021
June often comes with a buzz in the school hallways, with students excited about outdoor excursions, class parties, or end-of-year events like prom and graduation.
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Economic reopening, schools to take center stage before MPPs break for summer
680 News – Jun. 3, 2021
MPPs will take part in the final question period of the spring session on Thursday as Ontario awaits an announcement on when the province’s pandemic reopening plan will take effect.
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Ontario educators skeptical about government plan to have schools hold outdoor graduation ceremonies
The Canadian Press – Jun. 3, 2021
Ontario educators are raising questions about the feasibility of Premier Doug Ford’s plan to have schools host outdoor “graduation” ceremonies for all students in a matter of weeks.
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TVDSB to proceed with virtual graduations for students in grades 8, 12
Global News – Jun. 3, 2020
The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) says it will proceed with virtual graduations for Grade 8 and Grade 12 students this year, despite Premier Doug Ford encouraging Ontario school boards to hold outdoor ceremonies.
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Grad ceremonies are not feasible
Global News Radio, Alan Carter – Jun. 3, 2021

Alan speaks with Ontario Public School Board Association’s Cathy Abraham about whether it’s even possible for Ontario schools to have graduation ceremonies for all grades as per Premier Ford’s announcement.
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Province’s offer of outdoor grads just ‘PR’ – Near North Teachers’ Local prez
North Bay Nugget – Jun. 2, 2021
Announcing that every graduating class should have an outdoor ceremony to commemorate their achievements was simply a public relations stunt, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario Near North Teachers’ Local president Rob Hammond says.
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Ontario students won’t resume in-person classes until September, says Ford
Ottawa Citizen – Jun. 2, 2021
Mayor Jim Watson and board of health chair Keith Egli say they are “deeply disappointed” that schools won’t reopen until next September, even in areas like Ottawa, where COVID-19 rates are relatively low.
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Doug Ford wants outdoor celebrations for every grade. Not so fast, say school boardsFord government leans towards keeping schools closed for remainder of school year, sources say
The Toronto Star – Jun. 2, 2021
If your child gets an in-person, outdoor class celebration or graduation this June, thank Arthur from Etobicoke.
Premier Doug Ford promised Wednesday that after hearing the idea from a young neighbour, he’d work to ensure schools plan outdoor celebrations or graduations for students in every grade before the end of June.
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Premier Doug Ford announces no in-class learning until September
The Toronto Star – Jun. 2, 2021
Patios before pupils.
After days of deliberation, Premier Doug Ford has officially announced Ontario schools will not reopen to in-class learning until September, but all students could get outdoor “graduation” ceremonies.
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Local boards respond to provincial decision keeping students at home for rest of school year
sootoday.com – Jun. 2, 2021
Sault and area school boards and union leaders at the provincial level have responded to the Ontario government’s announcement Wednesday that the province’s schools will not be reopening this month, students to continue with remote learning.
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The Globe and Mail – Jun. 1, 2021
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government appears poised to keep schools closed for the rest of the academic year, and could begin to reopen the economy earlier than planned, sources say.
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