Published Wednesday, May 26, 2021 11:01PM EDT Several Ontario school boards said Wednesday that they would be able to resume in-person learning with a few days notice if the government decides to send students back to classrooms for the last month of the academic year. Pediatric hospitals and doctors have been calling on the government to immediately reopen schools amid a decline in cases, saying in-person learning is crucial to children s well-being. The province s top doctor said Tuesday that he d like to see schools reopen as early as next week in some regions. The medical officers in Toronto and Peel Region said, however, that they were still watching to see if COVID-19 cases dropped further.
Premier Ford sends letter to doctors, scientists seeking opinion on reopening schools
by Lucas Casaletto
Last Updated May 27, 2021 at 3:40 pm EDT
Premier Doug Ford has issued an open letter to educators, scientists, doctors, and unions asking seven key questions in an effort to find a consensus as to whether the province can safely reopen schools for in-person learning.
In the letter, Ford says “no one wants to see our schools reopen safely more than I do,” adding that while his government understands the benefits of having kids return to class, it can only be done based on “sound scientific advice, consensus and considers potential or future risks faced by students and staff.”
TORONTO Several Ontario school boards said Wednesday that they would be able to resume in-person learning with a few days notice if the government decides to send students back to classrooms for the last month of the academic year. Pediatric hospitals and doctors have been calling on the government to immediately reopen schools amid a decline in cases, saying in-person learning is crucial to children s well-being. The province s top doctor said Tuesday that he d like to see schools reopen as early as next week in some regions. The medical officers in Toronto and Peel Region said, however, that they were still watching to see if COVID-19 cases dropped further.
Ontario has announced a three-step plan to reopen the province, starting with outdoor recreational amenities, as it gradually prepares to ease pandemic restrictions.
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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