Ontario’s push for synchronous learning is important for social connection and student success, according to an expert with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. But one Upper Grand District School Board teacher says she’s also trying to maximize students’ offscreen time.
December 23, 2020 · 0 Comments
By: Paula Brown,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ontario will be entering another province-wide lockdown come Boxing Day, as numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to rise daily and the Province looks to prevent inundating hospitals and intensive care units (ICU) with sick patients.
“This difficult action is without a doubt necessary to save lives and prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed in the coming weeks. Make no mistake, thousands of lives are at stake right now,” said Premier Doug Ford. “If we fail to take action now the consequences could be catastrophic.”
The announcement of the lockdown was made by Ford during a press conference on Monday (Dec. 21). The lockdown will take effect on Dec. 26 (Boxing Day) and will remain in place until Jan. 23, 2021 for health units in southern Ontario. Regions in northern Ontario, where numbers of COVID-19 are significantly
December 17, 2020 · 0 Comments
By: Paula Brown, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Dufferin County has officially moved into the “Red” zone of the COVID-19 framework, following recommendations made by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), brought about by the rising number of new and active cases in Wellington and Guelph.
“Dr. Mercer made the recommendation because she had significant concerns in certain areas in our jurisdiction, that [case numbers] weren’t going down and we’re continuing to go in the other direction,” said Rita Isley, WDGPH director of community health.
Dr. Nicola Mercer, CEO and WDGPH Medical Officer of Health (MOH), along with Chief (MOH) Dr. David Williams, recommended last Wednesday (Dec. 9) that the provincial government move the region into the “Red” zone of the COVID-19 framework. On Dec. 11 the province made the announcement of the move, which became effectiv
KITCHENER Guelph s top doctor says students shouldn t socialize with their cohort over this year s winter break. Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, said she s concerned that families gathering outside of school could be the biggest vector for spreading COVID-19 over the holidays. Dr. Mercer answered questions at an Upper Grand District School Board trustees meeting on Tuesday night. She said families need to remember that children aren t immune to COVID-19 and shouldn t socialize with class cohorts outside of school. She added that contact tracing has shown this is a source of rapid spread. You child s friends who are in their class at school are still not people you live with and should not be coming into your home, Dr. Mercer said. Even though they re in the same classroom, they re still not part of the same family. That s what I anticipate is going to happen over the next few weeks and I am worried about that.