Ford, Lecce and health officials visit school

Premier Doug Ford and Stephan Lecce toured Kensington Community School in Toronto to get a firsthand look at the public health measures and protocols put in place for the upcoming school year.

They were joined by Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario’s Provincial Outbreak Response Coordinator.

During the tour, they had an opportunity to see a number of important changes including: a new outdoor learning space, designated entrance for students with enhanced screening measures, physical distancing measures in classrooms, a modified teachers’ lounge that can be used as additional classroom space as required, and a designated wellness room that will be used in the event that a student or staff member begins to show symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day.

“As our schools prepare to reopen their doors, I wanted to personally see what’s happening on the ground and see the hard work that’s gone into preparing for a safe school year,” says Ford. “Our schools are adapting to the new reality of COVID-19, and I’m happy to see our government’s investments are being put to good use with public health measures that will ensure students and staff are safe when they return to school in September.”

Yesterday, teachers’ unions in the province filed a complaint with the Labour Relations Board over Ontario’s school reopening plan.

In June, the provincial government asked school boards to begin making plans for school reopening based on three possible scenarios: remote learning, full return to class and a hybrid-model.

The unions say they are hoping that the Labour Relations Board issues orders on physical distancing, standards on ventilation, standards on distancing on buses.

“There are many parents groups, medical experts who are opposed to this plan,” says Harvey Bischof, CEO of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. “We are doing everything we can and have offered our full cooperation in having a safe and effective return, but unfortunately in a fit of petulance by the Minister and the Premier, that cooperation has been rejected.”

Meanwhile, Premier Ford said that he will not hesitate to shut down the schools in the event of an outbreak.

It is unclear if the complaint will impact the start of the school year.