The Alberta Teachers’ Association is demanding an emergency meeting with Education Minister Adriana LaGrange over the province’s back-to-school plans during the COVID-19 pandemic..“Teachers are worried. And they do not have confidence in the minister or her plans to reopen schools. They made it clear they expect the minister to be talking with the ATA and listening genuinely to the concerns of teachers,” said Jason Schilling, ATA president, on Saturday..Delegates at the 2020 Annual Representative Assembly (ARA) this weekend moved a motion of non-confidence in LaGrange, but ultimately referred it to the Association’s executive council..“Teachers are focused on solutions. The number one priority of teachers right now is to ensure that the re-entry to schools is done as safely as possible,” said Schilling..“Teachers recognize that this is only possible when the ATA and government are working together on a plan that serves the health and safety interests of students, teachers, all school staff and their collective families.”.The 450 teachers, representing all teachers in Alberta’s 61 public, separate and Francophone school divisions, passed resolutions calling for reduced class sizes, increased support staff, better mental health supports, and the placement of public health nurses in schools.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .They also called for the establishment of an ongoing multi-sector consultation committee to guide the re-entry to schools and beyond..“The current plans for re-entry are simply unacceptable. I do not know what will happen if the Minister insists that teachers and students return to unsafe schools and I do not know how teachers and parents will respond,” said Schilling..“We have provided a reasonable and practical plan for moving onward that starts with meaningful consultation and a meeting in person with the Minister.”.On Aug. 4, LaGrange announced students and teachers between Grades 4-12 will have to wear masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19..Each student will be provided two reusable masks to use..More than 1.6 million masks will be distributed to 740,000 students and 90,000 staff. Additional single-use masks will be available at schools, if required..Mask use for kindergarten to Grade 3 students will continue to be optional. The government said mask use for younger children is a challenge due to difficulties with proper fit and compliance. In addition, evidence shows that children under 10 may be less likely than older children or adults to transmit COVID-19..About 466,000 litres of hand sanitizer will be distributed between all school authorities. The specific volume provided to an individual school authority will be based on student population..And each school will receive two contactless thermometers to assist with managing student and staff health. Thermometer use will be at the discretion of the school authority..After the announcement, the NDP’s Kathleen Ganley tweeted: “Masks are good, but an adequate response requires some kind of class size limit – desks are too close together and masks are not required at all times. Classrooms with over 30 kids are a huge problem.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
The Alberta Teachers’ Association is demanding an emergency meeting with Education Minister Adriana LaGrange over the province’s back-to-school plans during the COVID-19 pandemic..“Teachers are worried. And they do not have confidence in the minister or her plans to reopen schools. They made it clear they expect the minister to be talking with the ATA and listening genuinely to the concerns of teachers,” said Jason Schilling, ATA president, on Saturday..Delegates at the 2020 Annual Representative Assembly (ARA) this weekend moved a motion of non-confidence in LaGrange, but ultimately referred it to the Association’s executive council..“Teachers are focused on solutions. The number one priority of teachers right now is to ensure that the re-entry to schools is done as safely as possible,” said Schilling..“Teachers recognize that this is only possible when the ATA and government are working together on a plan that serves the health and safety interests of students, teachers, all school staff and their collective families.”.The 450 teachers, representing all teachers in Alberta’s 61 public, separate and Francophone school divisions, passed resolutions calling for reduced class sizes, increased support staff, better mental health supports, and the placement of public health nurses in schools.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .They also called for the establishment of an ongoing multi-sector consultation committee to guide the re-entry to schools and beyond..“The current plans for re-entry are simply unacceptable. I do not know what will happen if the Minister insists that teachers and students return to unsafe schools and I do not know how teachers and parents will respond,” said Schilling..“We have provided a reasonable and practical plan for moving onward that starts with meaningful consultation and a meeting in person with the Minister.”.On Aug. 4, LaGrange announced students and teachers between Grades 4-12 will have to wear masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19..Each student will be provided two reusable masks to use..More than 1.6 million masks will be distributed to 740,000 students and 90,000 staff. Additional single-use masks will be available at schools, if required..Mask use for kindergarten to Grade 3 students will continue to be optional. The government said mask use for younger children is a challenge due to difficulties with proper fit and compliance. In addition, evidence shows that children under 10 may be less likely than older children or adults to transmit COVID-19..About 466,000 litres of hand sanitizer will be distributed between all school authorities. The specific volume provided to an individual school authority will be based on student population..And each school will receive two contactless thermometers to assist with managing student and staff health. Thermometer use will be at the discretion of the school authority..After the announcement, the NDP’s Kathleen Ganley tweeted: “Masks are good, but an adequate response requires some kind of class size limit – desks are too close together and masks are not required at all times. Classrooms with over 30 kids are a huge problem.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
