Less Omicron surveillance leaves Ontario teachers, parents worried about unknown

Ontario's Ministry of Education is expected to announce details on the return to in-person learning on Wednesday but recent changes to its school reporting guidelines have parents and teachers worried about a lack of information about the presence of COVID-19.

The premier's office hasconfirmed areturn to classroomsstarting Monday, but new interim guidelines state public health units won't routinely notifystudents of a positive case or someone self-isolating due to COVID symptoms.

That could have implications for the spread of the virus among staff and families trying to decide whether to send their children back to in-person classrooms, according toMelaka Hendela, co-chair of the Ottawa Carleton Association of School Councils.

She says the province needs to be much clearer about what this means and what measures are in place.

"Schools should be open, but they need to be safe for our kids," Hendela said.

Hendela says she's concerned parents don't know about recent changes to theinterim guidance for schools and whether their child is exposed to someone with COVID-19.

The updated guidelines also say public health units will no longer dismiss cohorts, instead leaving it up to schools and school boards based on their operational requirements.

Brace for school closures, union says

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario says it isuncertain about how schools are any safer than when the decision to delay openingwas taken, and the union believes disruptions remain likely.

"I think what parents need to brace themselves for are school closures, interruption because of staffing, there's not enough staffing," said union president Karen Brown.

Pat Dixon, president of the Ottawa Carleton Elementary Occasional Teachers' Association, says the lack of case reporting willcreate difficult situations for teachers called on to substitute, especially because they lack sick leave benefits.

"As an occasional teacher, I don't want to be called for a job or select a job off the job board not knowing how many cases of COVID are in that building," Dixon said.

"I have to stay healthy in order to have an income."

His union does not have information on how many of its members are available, but it does have a roster of 1,500 potential substitutes, she said.

WATCH | Occasional teachers want better-informed decisions:

Occasional teachers should be able to find information about COVID-19 cases in schools, advocate says

3 years ago

Duration 1:05

Pat Dixon, president of the Ottawa Carleton Elementary Occasional Teachers' Association, says education workers should be able to find out how many COVID-19 cases are present in a school before accepting work there.

Take-home PCR test kits still available

Dixon said the new guidelines have left her feeling like officials are no longer trying to limit the spread of the virus.

"It's almost as if we've decided that this is no longer a pandemic, this is an endemic, and we're going to live with it," she said.

In a statement, Ottawa Public Health said it's still studying the new guidance and take-home PCR test kits are still available for staff and students who developCOVID-19 symptoms at school.

Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott said Tuesday the delay in reopening in-person schoolingallowed for accelerated vaccinations and boosters for school staff, the delivery of more rapid tests from the federal government, and the distribution of N95 masks for school staff.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board has reported a shortage of teachers, early-childhood educators and educational assistants, and says it has 450 casual staff members to cover assignments.

The Catholic board has created a "classroom supervisor position" when a qualified educator is not available to cover a class.

WATCH | Lacking information on what awaits Monday:

Some parents concerned theyll have less information about school cases after changes to provincial guidelines

3 years ago

Duration 0:54

Mary Crowe, a kindergarten teacher and parent of two children, says shes concerned about her and her kids heading back to the classroom without adequate information on COVID-19 cases in the school.

When no other options are available, classes could be cancelled for senior secondary students or, in some cases, entire classes, grades and schools could be moved to remote learning during COVID-19 outbreaks.

The Catholic board's statement also says the ministry has allowed rotating schools to move to remote learning to decrease demands on occasional staff.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board declined to comment before ministry makes its announcement.