Windsor-Essex's two English-language public school boards have given parents more time to declare where their children will learn this school year.
Both the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) and the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB) had asked parents to submit an online survey. Parents and guardians were asked if they planned to send their children to a regular in-person classroom full-time, or take advantage of the online instruction option. Both boards have agreed to extend the deadline for completing the survey to Friday.
The public board reported via Twitter and on its website that it is handling a large volume of responses, along with a need to sort through email changes.
https://twitter.com/gecdsbpro/status/1295343580995780609
Erin Kelly, director of education, said last week that the plan was put together per provincial guidelines, with the priority being the health and safety of all members of the GECDSB community.
"The goal in reopening is to minimize risk and increase safety for everyone while continuing to offer the learning and educational resources that our families demand, and our students deserve," said Kelly. "We all have responsibilities to promote everyone's health and safety during these uncertain times. The guidelines have been developed from a variety of trusted sources."
The Catholic board, meanwhile, has not only agreed to extend the deadline of its survey but announced that it would hold off on announcing adjustments that had been made to its back-to-school plan until Wednesday. The board said this was made necessary after changes were disclosed last week by Ontario Minister of Education Stephen Lecce.
https://twitter.com/WECDSB/status/1294352355518025728
The WECDSB submitted its plan to the Ministry of Education almost two weeks ago, which will see elementary school students resuming classes in a conventional model. However, secondary school students within the board will see a much more restricted approach.
