Teachers aren t seeking injunctions to keep schools closed, say local unions
Local teachers union officials say they haven t heard of any potential injunctions to keep schools closed, contrary to comments by Premier Doug Ford, but they ve called on the Ontario government to ensure a return to the classroom is done safely.
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COVID variants raise concern in classrooms May 7, 2021
The death of a Catholic school student in Brampton, Ont., has highlighted the demographic shift of those most affected by COVID-19.
Thirteen-year-old Emily Viegas’ April 22 death sent shockwaves through not only the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board but across the province and prompted the launch of an online fundraiser for her family that has raised over $139,000.
The board said in a statement “supports have been made available to students and staff.”
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family and all those impacted by the loss of our young student,” the statement continued, adding, “As a board and at the local school level, we continue to focus on respecting the privacy and dignity of the family and allowing them to grieve.”
Classroom stock photo / Element5 Digital via Unsplash
THUNDER BAY – Sooner would have been better, but union leaders are thankful teachers and other school employees in Thunder Bay will be allowed to start booking COVID-19 appointments on Thursday.
The move, announced last week by the province, should go a long way to returning classrooms to normal operations by the fall, especially if school employees are able to get their second dose in August.
Carlo Cappello, president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association’s Thunder Bay branch, said it was news his membership has been waiting to hear.
“It was definitely welcome news for teachers and other education workers that will be getting vaccinated. The hope is we will get both vaccinations before the start of the school year in September. That would be ideal,” Cappello said.
Quebec bishops push for ‘just recovery’ May 1, 2021
Quebec’s Catholic bishops don’t just want a recovery, they want change.
The Quebec Assembly of Catholic Bishops’ annual May Day message calls for a basic income, higher minimum wage, an economy less dependent on fossil fuels, tax reform that redistributes wealth away from the wealthy and policies that recognize how women have been disadvantaged in our economy.
“Women and young people have been especially hard hit,” the bishops write in “Towards a Just Recovery: Paying Attention to the Lives of Workers.”
“The ordeal of the COVID-19 pandemic” inspired the bishops to take on the economic inequities that have driven a 35- to 40-per-cent increase in food bank use in Quebec.
Moving to remote learning expected to prevent 637 COVID-19 cases in Hamilton, data indicates
Moving from in-person to remote learning is expected to prevent 637 COVD-19 infections in the city, according to Hamilton Public Health data.
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7 union leaders sent a letter to public health and said in an interview it has failed schools
Posted: Apr 16, 2021 6:16 PM ET | Last Updated: April 16
Unions representing Hamilton education staff say public health should do more to protect workers and students.(Bobby Hristova/CBC)
Hamilton Public Health data indicates moving from in-person to remote learning is expected to prevent 637 COVD-19 infections in the city.
Dr. Dominik Mertz, Hamilton Health Sciences medical director of infection prevention control, shared the data during a hospital town hall on Thursday.