February 18, 2021 · 0 Comments
By Paula Brown, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Students and teachers in the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), along with others across the province expecting a break next month will be waiting a little longer as government postpones March Break to April.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce made the announcement last Thursday (Feb. 11) that the weeklong break for students and teachers, which was originally scheduled for March 15 to 19, would begin on April 12.
“Postponing March Break, not cancelling it is an important way that schools can help to limit community transmission,” said Lecce.
“I recognize that this is one more change in the year that has been challenging for so many students and our education staff who continue to work so hard, it is one made on the best advice of Public Health officials to keep them safe and to keep our schools open in this province.”
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London-area school boards have only months to get ready and critics worry details are still scarce about how Ontario will scrap academic streaming in Grade 9 next year.
“We know the (Education Ministry) has committed to this work starting in September,” said Marit Stiles, the NDP education critic. ”We haven’t seen much evidence of how that is going to happen. We haven’t heard anything.
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“Are they going to be putting in additional support for students, schools and teachers?”
Last July, as a first step toward de-streaming the entire education system, the education ministry said it will no longer require pupils to choose between academic level or applied math in Grade 9 starting this fall. Academic-level courses are prerequisites for most post-secondary education. Applied-level courses meet the minimum standards for high school graduation and may allow entry into trades and s