THUNDER BAY – The head of the local elementary teacher’s union says he approves of the decision to re-open Northern Ontario classrooms on Monday.
Mike Judge, president of the Thunder Bay branch of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, on Thursday said he’s confident in-school learning can be done safely in the region, despite the province extending its lockdown status for another two weeks.
“It’s important that we defer to the experts and put our own personal feelings aside,” Judge said. “For that reason, I’m really pleased with the way this is moving. I also think at a personal level, I think this is a positive move for kids.
“Learning is better in person. We know that. I think for the kids’ mental-health sake it’s better to be back in person and at least seeing your friends and teachers again.”
The province kept students across the province home this week in favour of online learning, taking the precaution following the Christmas break and the fear of potential rising case numbers.
While Thunder Bay has just 54 active cases, Ontario reported a record 3,566 cases on Thursday.
Dr. David Williams, the province’s chief medical officer of health, in making the announcement said he had consulted with local medical officers of health across the region before making his decision to allow schools to reopen.
Schools in southern Ontario will remain closed until at least Jan. 25, with all students switching to online learning models.
“Northern Ontario can open and bring back students because cases at this time are low,” Williams said in a news conference held Thursday afternoon in Toronto.
“It’s still significant, it’s still a concern. That’s why we’re keeping them in lockdown because we want to keep them in lockdown to keep their schools open.”
Williams said it’s not only the low rates in Northern Ontario that’s fuelling the decision, but also geography.
“They have less infrastructure for virtual learning and we understand that sensitivity.”
Thunder Bay District Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Janet DeMille said she was fully in favour of reopening schools to in-class instruction, noting in-person instruction is proven to work better while adding one of the last things to close because of COVID-19 are schools.
Schools in Northwestern Ontario have fared well during COVID-19, with sporadic cases being announced.
“ A lot of that has to do with the significant measures the schools have in place. We have seen, despite having cases in schools, very low transmission in school settings,” DeMille said.
Judge said while not all teachers education workers are thrilled about returning to class, and proper social distancing has proved difficult because of a lack of funding and there not being enough space in each classroom, he’s hopeful most will welcome it with open arms.
“There’s a whole scope of emotions with our teachers,” Judge said. “There are some teachers who are eager to get back. There are some teachers who are feeling very concerned. I can’t put all their feelings into one lump.”
