If you are wondering if March Break will be cancelled for Ontario students, Education Minister Stephen Lecce did not have any answers during a news conference Monday morning.
While elementary school students in the London-area were allowed back in class Monday, lower case counts in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent have parents wondering if their children will also be allowed back before February 10. Again, Lecce said he would have an announcement in the coming days.
"We know parents want certainty on the matter, and we hope we can provide that in the coming days, based on risk assessment and more importantly based on the new better protocols, the stronger, stricter protocols put in place to make sure that when we reopen all kids can be safe," said Lecce.
Ontario Medical Officer of Health Doctor David Williams on February 1, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Education YouTube channel)
Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Doctor David Williams wants to consult with his counterparts in those regions first to make sure they have an updated plan to prevent the transmission of the virus in schools. He also said he wanted to hear from them if they thought schools should reopen sooner than the previously announced date.
Meanwhile, Lecce announced $381-million in new funding from the federal government to buy better personal protective equipment for staff and students, improve air quality in schools, hire more staff, support learning this coming summer, and support student mental health. He said $10-million would go to the new Ontario Mental Health Action Kit and Kids Help Phone.
Lecce also addressed a staff shortage in some school boards across the province.
"Some will say there are not tens of thousands of teachers available to enter our schools and educate our students," he said. "To ensure we keep distancing in our classrooms, we need to be creative."
Student teachers will have the opportunity to jump-start their careers by applying for a new temporary certificate allowing school boards to hire them if they are short on occasional teachers. Candidates must be graduating this year.
The province has been utilizing asymptomatic testing in some school boards where case counts have soared. That will be expanded across Ontario using rapid testing. Lecce said the results could be back within an hour.
Students will also have to wear masks on the playground if social distancing is not possible.
"For many people who've driven near a school, they'll often remark to me that they see the kids out -- but they're not keeping distant. And, it's tough -- to enforce it," Lecce explained. "When outside, when distancing can not be achieved, they've gotta have a mask on."
Masks will be mandatory for all students inside and outside schools starting in Grade 1.
However, ensuring students do not get COVID-19 will take the cooperation of parents to make sure their children are not exposed outside of school, according to the Education Minister.
"Especially given the heightened level of transmission over the past period of time, that parents do not allow their children to congregate before class or after class," he said.
Lecce stressed the plan last fall was successful but said the environment has changed, and as it continues to evolve, more investments and stricter protocols will be introduced as needed.