Ontario to close schools until May 4, unveils online learning plan
The Canadian Press, Mar. 31, 2020
TORONTO — Schools in Ontario will remain closed until at least May 4 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday, as his government introduced a new plan for students to continue learning at home.
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Ontario schools will remain closed until at least May 4. But kids can expect marks
The Toronto Star, Mar. 31, 2020
Ontario students won’t return to class until at least May 4, and the province’s plans for them during the extended school shutdown include grade-by-grade guidelines for the number of hours they should spend on assignments each week while at home.
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With classrooms closed, teachers search for positive ways to connect with isolated students
The Globe and Mail, Mar. 27, 2020
With her school closed temporarily in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19, Melanie Malcomson has come up with a new way to reach out to her students. Ms. Malcolmson, who teaches Grade 4 in Mississauga, Ont., has begun reading stories to her class from her kitchen. She posts recordings of the sessions on Google Classroom, but is mindful of not stepping out of line with guidance from her school board, which says not to deliver formal instruction for now.
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Tentative Agreement Reached To End Teachers And Education Workers Strike
mymuskokanow.com, Mar. 24, 2020
The Ontario teachers’ strike could soon be over.
Earlier today, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association announced their Council of Trustees had reached an agreement with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario that would see strike action suspended.
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Ford says it’s not realistic for Ontario schools to reopen April 6
The Canadian Press, Mar. 23, 2020
Ford says it’s not realistic for Ontario schools to reopen April 6.
Ford made the remarks on what would have been the first day back to class after March break, acknowledging that schools will need to remain closed longer as the province grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Ontario’s elementary teachers reach tentative agreement with province
The Napanee Beaver, Mar. 21, 2020
The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) announced that OPSBA/Council of Trustees’ Associations (CTA) and the provincial government have negotiated a tentative agreement with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) for both teachers and education workers.
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Ontario elementary teachers’ union reaches tentative deal with province
The Globe and Mail, Mar. 20, 2020
Ontario’s elementary teachers’ union has reached a tentative deal with the provincial government, ending months of job action.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the country’s largest education union with 83,000 members, said on Friday evening that it would suspend strike action, pending the results of the ratification vote.
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Province reaches provisional deal with elementary teachers
TheRecord.com, Mar. 20, 2020
The province has reached a provisional deal with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, following a difficult round of negotiations that at one point saw educators hitting the picket lines twice a week.
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Elementary teachers to resume weekly strikes after March Break unless deal reached
The Toronto Star, Mar. 9, 2020
Ontario’s elementary teachers plan to restart their weekly strikes after the March Break.
The union made the announcement Monday afternoon, just moments after news came that the mediator has called them back to negotiations with the provincial government.
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OPSBA calls for end of school closure moratorium
www.morrisburgleader.ca, Mar. 5, 2020
SOUTH DUNDAS – The Ontario Public School Board Association has called for the Ontario government to lift the province’s moratorium on school closures.
The call to lift the school closure moratorium was one of several recommendations made by the OPSBA, which represents English-Public school boards and school authorities in Ontario. The group released the recommendations February 20th.
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High school teachers’ union slams government offer as ‘nothing but losses’
The Toronto Star, Mar. 4, 2020
Premier Doug Ford says his government has made “massive, massive moves” in its contract offer to teachers, but the opposition accused it of making a “hot mess” of education and only now proposing changes because of a huge public backlash.
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In a surprise move, Ontario government climbs down on high school class sizes. Is a deal far off?
The Toronto Star, Mar. 3, 2020
The province has retreated on its two most controversial education changes — larger secondary class sizes and mandatory online learning — in a surprise move that could potentially break the impasse with teachers.
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Ontario Public School Boards Association identifies clear funding priorities to address pressures facing school boards
weeklyvoice.com, Mar. 3, 2020
Toronto, – The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) is pleased to announce that it has submitted its response to the Ministry of Education’s call for feedback on the government’s Grants for Student Needs (GSN) education funding plans for 2020-21 school year.
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