Montreal City Weblog

Kate 08:57 on 2020-05-07 Permalink Reply  

• Meezly 12:13 on 2020-05-07 Permalink

  How telling that the CAQ has not extended the school reopning date and instead has suddenly changed its tune saying it’s “safe” for teachers over 60 to return to work. It’s so obvious that there is a severe shortage of teachers and they are scrambling. This has nothing to do with public health and safety! I was surprised to learn that our neigbourhood elementary school will have a capacity of 65%. The principal even admitted that it’s going to be an immense management challenge to maintain safe distancing.

• Kate 12:22 on 2020-05-07 Permalink

  I know. This sudden shift of policy on workers 60+ is disturbing.

• Dhomas 13:09 on 2020-05-07 Permalink

  The schools reopening has nothing to do with public health and even less to do with child welfare or education, despite all the claims by Legault et al that “it’s for the children”. The short and simple of it is that they want babysitters to watch over the little ones so the parents can go back to work.

• Meezly 13:24 on 2020-05-07 Permalink

  Exactly, Dhomas. Not to mention women make up the majority of these “caretaker” fields. Just heard on the radio that school reopening date has been delayed until May 25th. That leaves only 4 weeks of “school”.

• GC 13:24 on 2020-05-07 Permalink

  65%? I’m really surprised that many parents want to send their kids back right away, but I suppose some don’t really have much choice, either.

• Meezly 13:34 on 2020-05-07 Permalink

  Yes really! I too was floored. I was expecting 50% at best. But 65% will be impossible if the limit is 8 kids per group.

• Ian 13:35 on 2020-05-07 Permalink

  Not 65% going back, a capacity of 65% – and that depends on the school’s physical setup. We were told by our school that class sizes can be no larger than 12 kids to maintain social distancing.

  Of about 80% of parents that responded, 60% said they would send their kids back – but even with those numbers they will still have to break up most classes.

• Meezly 13:47 on 2020-05-07 Permalink

  Based on parents response, I was told that 65% of students will return. And our school is small, so 8 kids max per group to maintain distancing. Maybe some parents will change their minds, but I assume many won’t have a choice. I’m very grateful that I can opt my kid out, but I’m also hoping that parents who had decided to sent their kids to school and who can still exercise a choice will change their minds to prevent a wave of hospitalizations down the road.

• GC 15:23 on 2020-05-07 Permalink

  Thanks for clarifying, Ian.