Many have decided to close school buildings for in-person learning during the work action and transition to distance education.
It is in line with guidance sent by the Department for Education to school principals ahead of the education workers’ walkout on November 4, asking them to do “whatever they have to do” to keep schools open for as many children as possible.
In the memorandum, the ministry asked the governing boards to support students in a rapid transition to modern distance education.
Compared to asynchronous learning, where students attend pre-recorded video lessons, complete assigned assignments, or contribute to online discussion boards, synchronous learning involves real-time, live online instruction.
Most school boards in the greater Toronto and Hamilton area have announced what they plan to do next week if the job action is extended beyond Nov. 4.
Here’s what you need to know.
TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (TDSB)
The TDSB has confirmed that all its schools will remain closed for in-person learning while CUPE teachers are on the tracks.
The council says students will begin the transition to modern learning next week.
“Additional information about student learning, including details about technology availability, will be shared as soon as possible. In cases where students are unable to participate in live, online learning, they will be supported to continue learning during school closures,” the council said.
To learn more about TDSB’s plan, click here.
TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BACK (TCDSB)
The TCDSB says its schools will continue to be closed to students for the remainder of the CUPE industrial action.
The board says students will switch to distance modern learning on Monday as a result.
“Teachers and Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECEs) will engage in distance modern learning for the educational day and communicate with students how they are expected to connect with their classroom each day,” the board said.
To learn more about the TCDSB plan, click here.
PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (PDSB)
The PDSB says asynchronous distance learning will resume on Monday, and if the job action extends beyond Nov. 7, students will then transition to synchronous learning.
“We understand that not having specific information is difficult for your family planning. We are monitoring the situation and as it develops, we will continue to share our next steps with you,” the board said.
To learn more about PDSB’s plan, click here.
DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (DPCDSB)
The DCDDSB says schools will remain closed to students on Monday and during the education workers’ strike.
Teachers will take this time to prepare for the transition to modern distance education.
“We do not know, at this time, how long the work stoppage will continue. As mentioned in our previous announcements, we have been instructed by the Ministry of Education to make a rapid transition to modern distance learning and we are working to put the necessary pieces in place to make this happen as soon as possible,” the board said.
To learn more about DCDSB’s plan, click here.
YORK REGION SCHOOL BOARD (YRDSB)
The YRDSB says “independent asynchronous learning” will continue on Monday and if teachers resume work after that, students will move to synchronous online learning.
The board says teachers will be in touch with parents and students to provide next steps.
“We appreciate that some families may require technology to participate in modern online learning and are finalizing plans to distribute the technology. We will share more information about the technology distribution in the coming days,” the board said.
To learn more about the YRDSB plan, click here.
YORK CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (YCDSB)
YCDSB says students will do modern virtual learning from Monday and during the job action.
The council says parents and guardians should seek guidance from their child’s school or teacher about taking online courses soon.
“We understand that the transition to virtual learning will be challenging for many families, and York Catholic is committed to working with you during this time. Please join us in continuing to pray for a freely negotiated agreement that will allow our students to return to the classroom,” the board said.
To learn more about the YCDSB plan, click here.
DURHAM DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (DDSB)
The DDSB says all of its schools will remain closed for in-person learning next week if teachers remain on the tracks.
For elementary students, teachers and staff will meet on Monday morning to organize schedules and live virtual learning will begin in the afternoon.
For middle school students, they should log into Google Classroom at the beginning of the day on Monday.
“Currently, we do not have the staff or excess equipment to effectively distribute the technology to all students in grades K-6 who may need it. We know this can be a challenge for some families and your child’s educator will do their best to support your child. This is an evolving situation and therefore, if this approach changes, we will follow up with families to determine what level of support may be required,” the council said.
To learn more about the DDSB plan, click here.
DURHAM CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (DCDSB)
The DCDSB has yet to release its plan for next week.
HALTON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (HDSB)
The HDSB says primary school pupils will be rotated between in-person and distance education if the CUPE strike extends beyond Friday.
Because schools opened for in-person learning on Nov. 4, elementary students will do independent distance learning on Monday.
“This is a fluid and changing situation. HDSB is monitoring the situation daily and decisions will be made accordingly and with the safety and well-being of students and staff as our highest priority. We strongly advise parents/guardians to make contingency plans in case it becomes necessary to switch to distance learning on a daily basis,” the board said.
For secondary schools, they will remain open for personal learning every day during the CUPE industrial action.
To learn more about HDSB’s plan, click here
HALTON CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (HCDSB)
The HCDSB says school buildings will remain closed while the CUPE job action continues.
On Monday students will continue asynchronous learning. Then on Tuesday, they will switch to modern teaching.
HCDSB says it will notify parents by 6:30 a.m. on Monday to confirm his final plan for that week.
“We understand that this is a difficult time for students, families and staff. As previously noted, a large portion of employee groups across our school district are represented by CUPE, and our CUPE staff provide a number of critical and essential services to our schools. We cannot maintain a safe learning environment for our students without the support and daily efforts of CUPE members,” the board said.
To learn more about HCDSB’s plan, click here.
HAMILTON-WENTWORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (HWDSB)
The HWDSB says schools will remain closed for students for in-person learning on Monday if teachers continue on the job. Instead, students will move to asynchronous learning at home on Monday.
The board says modern learning will begin on Tuesday.
“Our primary responsibility during this labor dispute is to ensure the health and safety of HWDSB students and staff is maintained. We know this is a difficult time and appreciate everyone’s patience,” the board said.
To learn more about HWDSB’s plan, click here.
HAMILTON-WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (HWCDSB)
HWCDSB says students will continue online learning on Monday and Tuesday, which will include some modern instruction.
The board says parents and guardians who need a distance learning device are asked to contact their principal on Monday. As for its plan after Nov. 8, the HWCDSB says it will provide updates to parents and students by Monday.
“We deeply regret the impact these circumstances are having on our students, families and staff. We are also extremely disappointed that we are currently unable to provide certainty about the status of the labor dispute for Monday and beyond. That being said, the school system and staff are working extremely hard to develop contingency plans for next week. The focus of these plans remains on student learning and well-being,” the board said.
To learn more about HWCDSB’s plan, click here.
This story will be continually updated as new information comes in.
