The French Public Council Is Choosing To Keep Its Schools Open Despite A Planned Teacher Walkout On Friday

In an email sent late Thursday afternoon, Viamonde’s Director of Education, Michel Laverdière, advised parents and guardians that schools will be open tomorrow as usual.
The note, written in French, said that even with the expected absence of custodians and other support staff, the French public school board in central and southwestern Ontario has decided it is able to welcome students to class, at least for the day Friday.
The board went on to say it will make a decision over the weekend about what happens next week as the situation between education workers and the province evolves.
Viamonde said she will notify the school community via email.
CP24.com has reached out to the board for further comment, but has yet to hear back.
This decision comes as the Ontario Ministry of Education (MOE) urged school boards to remain open despite the work stoppage.
In a memo, obtained by CTV News, the MOE told education directors and school authority secretaries/treasurers that its “key priority” is to “ensure that students continue their learning uninterrupted for the entire school year.”
“Given CUPE’s recent announcements of their intention to fully withdraw their services to schools on Friday 4 November 2022, the ministry is asking all school boards to implement contingency plans where every effort is made to keep schools open for as many children as possible,” the note read.
The ministry said councils must “support students in a rapid transition to distance learning” if the “healthy and safe operation” of schools for students cannot be maintained due to the withdrawal of services by CUPE staff.
“Unless there are other circumstances requiring closure, schools must also remain open to staff, who are expected to attend to their workplace as usual, and in particular to support modern online learning,” the memo said.
“In response to CUPE’s strike notice, on October 31, 2022, the Ontario government introduced Act 28, Keeping Students in Class Act, 2022. If passed, this Act will ensure that students stay in class learning.”
Late Thursday afternoon, the Ontario government passed legislation making it illegal for CUPE education workers to strike.  It also imposes a four-year contract on education workers.