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7 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,July 2,2020 theifp.ca Rent soft water Starting at$9.95 *for first three monthsmth .com 5 Mountainview Road North, Georgetown 905.877.6242 - info@culliganwater.ca Order at 905-877-7333 Summer DealS are Here! 184 Guelph Street, Unit A, Georgetown www.popularpizza.ca Limited time only 1 Medium, 1 topping: Only $4.42 1 Large, 3 topping, 1 dip: Only $9.99 Square pizza (16 slice), 1 topping & dip: Only $15 2 Medium, 6 topping, 2 dips: ($2 for Large, & $4 for X-Large pizza's) Only $15 3 Medium, 9 topping, 3 dips: ($3 for Large, & $6 for X-Large pizza's) Only $27 Tax extra The province's plan is for schools to reopen in the fall. Uncertainty about the successful curtailment of COVID-19 by September, however, underscores the difficulty in predicting what educational format will be implemented once the time comes. School boards across Ontario have been asked to prepare for three possible scenarios: a regular school day with health protocols in place; a modified school day; and a full online deliv- ery. Contingency plans are being developed for all three education models, commented superinten- dent of education, Scott Po- drebarac, at a recent board meeting. Besides what class- rooms will look like, there are a host of other issues that are top of mind for trustees and education workers as they look ahead to the beginning of a new and very different school year. At the top of everyone's list, it would appear, is the well-being of staff and stu- dents. "The mental and physi- cal health of staff and stu- dents needs to be kept at the forefront of planning for our return in Septem- ber," said Cindy Gage, pres- ident, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federa- tion (OSSTF) district 20, Halton teachers' bargain- ing unit. The challenges will im- pact students differently, both in terms of what was experienced during emer- gency distance learning, as well as what they'll face in September, commented Tom Golightly, bargaining unit president of Profes- sional Student Services Personnel, OSSTF district 20. "We need to be prepared to support that, while also remembering this still won't be an ideal learning or working environment that we are returning to. We need to be OK with that, and remember that stu- dents, parents, and educa- tion workers are doing their best while trying to function in an unprece- dented situation." In a recent letter to the ministry, Halton District School Board (HDSB) chair Andrea Grebenc said fund- ing for well-being support is needed "so that students and staff can get timely and immediate help, as need- ed." Grebenc also suggested the two PD days at the be- ginning of the board's school year calendar would be well suited for professional development and training for all staff and teachers, which is "im- perative" given required new ways of teaching and learning. "In any of the scenarios, there will be necessary supplies and training that will be needed by both staff and students," said Gage. "We want to see an increase in staff to meet the needs of learning gaps, mental health, and additional cleaning." A plan also has to be in the works for those teach- ers with underlying medi- cal conditions who will not want to return to the class- room because of the risks, said Kathy Proctor, presi- dent, Elementary Teach- ers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Halton. "If teachers feel they need PPE (personal protec- tive equipment), the school board has an obligation to provide it and I'm not sure where the school boards are going to get PPE for September," she said. "I know the kids and teachers are anxious to get back and work together and see one another. Hope- fully, if the department of health says that it's safe to do that in the fall, then that's what will happen." Funding for adequate staff, equipment, cleaning solutions and PPE, as well as support for access to de- vices and connectivity for some families, and budget flexibility for "extraordi- nary expenses related to restarting schools safely and effectively," was also addressed by Grebenc. The need for reflection on what was successful during the hastily adopted distance learning is neces- sary in planning for next year, said Golightly. "Child and youth coun- sellors, teachers, and beha- viour analysts for example, are the ones with front-line experience delivering the educational program. They will know best what the real impact on students is, and how to make Sep- tember as successful as possible," he said. Parents should be counted on to discuss phys- ical distancing and hand- washing techniques before kids return to school, said Proctor. "So, there's lots of con- versations that need to go on at home before they come (back) so they under- stand as best they can." Parents have the option of not sending their chil- dren back to school and school boards are expected to provide remote learning in such cases, according to the ministry. NEWS STUDENT, STAFF WELL-BEING PRIORITIES IN BACK-TO-SCHOOL PLANS KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com The HDSB is developing three contingency plans for a back-to-school model for next year. One thing's for sure - classrooms will not look anything like the above come September. Torstar File Photo