Education Assembly: Uniting workers, parents & students from child care to post-secondary through education, inspiration & action
On Saturday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., join the first virtual Province-Wide Education Assembly to discuss what Ontarians need from our education systems during COVID-19 and beyond.
Parents, teachers, students, childcare workers, faculty, and support staff across education sectors are invited to discuss their diverse experiences navigating COVID-19. We will use these discussions to better understand how to work together to advocate for increased public funding for education, from child care to post-secondary.
ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW:
- Education – Hear from a panel of experts about chronic underfunding and safety issues across education sectors
- Inspiration – Share stories about the diverse ways COVID-19 has impacted workers, parents, and students
- Action – Strategize and develop actions in breakout discussion groups
Join us to develop an education plan that keeps everyone healthy and safe. Together, we are the power of many fighting for a better public education system for all.
RSVP now to get a link to join the webinar
Important OMERS Update from Fred Hahn, March 2, 2021
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Screening, testing, masks, vaccines – the latest from the Ministry of Education
Covid-19 Update
OSBCU continues to meet (virtually) with the Deputy Minister of Education every two weeks. We use
these opportunities to advocate for education workers and seek clarification on issues brought to our
attention by locals. During yesterday’s meeting, OSBCU asked for clarification on issues related to
screening, testing and masking.
These are the answers provided:
– Screening: There are no exemptions from the single-symptom screener and direction on
householder members. All asymptomatic household contacts of symptomatic individuals are
required to quarantine, without exemption, even for essential reasons, until the symptomatic
individual receives a negative COVID-19 test result, or an alternative diagnosis by a health
care professional. Education workers are not to be exempted from these screening protocols.
This information was just recently clarified with school board directors throughout the province
and it may take time for the message to circulate fully. If there are issues within a specific
board, local presidents should let OSBCU know with details and we will raise the matter with
the Ministry.
– Access to pharmacies for asymptomatic testing:
In discussions with the Crown and Council of Trustees’ Associations (CTA), we have raised
concerns about the rollout of asymptomatic testing in school boards. The CTA had cited that
selected pharmacies were offering this service. Upon inspection of the website listing the
pharmacies, OSBCU raised the concern that education workers were not included in the list of
folks who could obtain asymptomatic tests at these locations. The government has confirmed
that websites should have been updated to reflect this. Please note, only pharmacies listed
are providing these tests. Your school board may also be offering testing at school sites as
well. You can access a list of pharmacies in your area via
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations.
– Double masking: There is no recommendation from Public Health Ontario to start double
masking. As a reminder, we will add that CUPE education workers should have a well-fitting
mask that covers the nose and mouth and to avoid touching and adjusting the mask.
Also, please remember to place and remove the mask properly and wash your hands before
and after you handle your mask.
– Vaccinations: The government has confirmed that vaccinations for education workers will
begin to roll out soon. It further clarified that priority will be giving to all adults working in
schools
Vaccine Education Initiatives
Infectious disease expert Dr. Tara Moriarty invites CUPE members to participate in the following vaccine education initiatives:
If you’re a Canadian who would like to ATTEND a nightly Zoom sessions about COVID-19 vaccine safety, please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrp0-GkyZS1Oe4cu4T7F6t1xdumCr9HmWo5dUwAYaRaw0AWw/viewform
Human Rights – Special Needs Students
There have been a lot of questions about why students with special needs are able to come to school during this lockdown. Please see the link below on the ruling from the Human Rights Commission that explains why it is their right to attend school. Please take special note of #9 that states that it is all of our responsibility to ensure this happens.
Click to read Human Rights Commission re: Special Needs Students
Statement from OSBCU President Laura Walton
OSBCU responds to government’s extension of virtual learning in Ontario schools
Stephen Lecce announcement to include education workers in free childcare.
January 9, 2021 – Education Minister Stephen Lecce Press Conference