There has been a good bit of controversy this week over Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision to keep schools closed in this province until September. Here is, in part, what the Toronto Star wrote about it in a recent editorial:
“There was no Ford government U-turn. No last minute reprieve for children and their beleaguered parents. And very little sense to be found in the provincial announcement on Wednesday that schools will not reopen before September.
“Exactly why can’t kids go back to in-person learning, as health experts and educators alarmed over growing mental health concerns and learning gaps have called for?
“Well, we all know that it’s so patios and non-essential retail can reopen sooner than expected this month.”
Well, sorry, we do not all know that. Maybe the left-leaning, anti-Ford, Toronto Star knows that. Perhaps the Star’s influential vice chair, former Premier David Peterson, a staunch Liberal partisan, knows that. And maybe even those who just plain dislike Doug Ford and don’t want to give him an inch would like to believe it too. But not everyone does.
To start with, not all parents believed it was in their child’s best interest to interrupt the learning routine their children had been used to for the better part of a year for what would effectively amount to just three weeks. A number of parents, in research I read, believed that the adjustment period from one form of learning to another would take up too much of that time and also, with second COVID vaccinations in Canada, including Ontario, at only 7 per cent, the risk of infection in an indoor setting was worrisome.
Certainly, many of these parents could have used a break, but most of them were also willing to put the best interests of their children first.
As for the so-called learning gaps referred to in the Star’s editorial, if there were any they were not going to be resolved in three short weeks. Also, to suggest significant learning gaps is to suggest teachers were not doing their jobs, and I do not believe that for a minute.
Everything that I have read, seen, and heard suggests to me that teachers have stepped up to the plate under difficult circumstances. They have been innovative and creative, and they have worked with their students to maintain academic standards. They are, in my view, true frontline workers who have adapted to extraordinary circumstances.
Now let’s examine the claim that the only reason schools were not reopened for the last three weeks of the term were only so that “patios and non-essential retail can reopen earlier than expected this month”.
First, phase one of the reopening will now not likely begin until originally scheduled on June 14 because of a spike in COVID infections resulting from the May long weekend. As well, there are other reasons to open phase one as quickly as safely possible.
There is a strong chance that reopening schools for three weeks in June would result in another spike in COVID infections and its variants, further delaying the ability of the province to begin opening up.
In spite of what some “experts” say, modelling from the province’s science table indicated that “returning kids and teachers back to school before they are vaccinated will lead to thousands of new cases of COVID-19.”
Doug Ford’s response to that was, “As your premier, these aren’t risks I am willing to take.”
The longer that reopening phases are delayed because of a spike in the COVID-19 virus or its variants that come from outside of the province, the longer young people will be unable to play outside with their friends, and the more at risk summer sports and attendance at summer camps will be. The question then arises, what is more important for their mental health, three weeks of in-school learning or a summer of near-normal activity?
The Ford Government did authorize outside graduation ceremonies for secondary and primary school students. In fact, they appeared to offer this for all grades, which is neither traditional nor practical. But graduating from elementary school or high school is really special to many people, often a lifelong memory. It is a chance to really celebrate, to say goodbye to their classmates and teachers and to whoop it up a little.
Last year there was no choice other than virtual graduations. This year there is a choice. But this year, Ontario’s school principals appear to have shut it down. I have a problem with that. The principals, or their spokespeople, say that three weeks notice is not enough for them to move graduation ceremonies from virtual to live. Their association, the Ontario Principals’ Council wrote this:
“With only a few weeks left until the academic year ends, schools have already made plans to celebrate their graduates… It is unrealistic and disrespectful to Ontario educators to expect such a considerable shift in planning at this point in the school year.”
Really?
So, I spoke to three either former or current school principals about this. Two would be able to make the changes in a heartbeat. The third was more circumspect and I appreciated his viewpoint. He pointed out that graduation plans were in the works for months and many of these plans were past the point of changing. He said that many teachers were now into issues related to completing the academic year and had little time to pivot on graduation decisions. He also said there could be logistical issues such as not having time to secure sufficient chairs not held by schools for an outside ceremony.
All of these are legitimate challenges, but, in my view, just that. Not roadblocks.
Surely most of the plans for a virtual graduation would be transportable to an outside event, masks in place, speakers and speeches, diplomas, prizes, and so on. And surely three weeks is enough time to work out the other problems related to an outdoor ceremony. Many others, including teachers, have altered course in less time, with greater changes, because of the varying nature of pandemic issues.
Sadly, I cannot help but wonder if the Ontario Principals’ Council is not more interested in sticking it to the Ford Government than they are in helping graduating students, proud parents, and, I know, many teachers of these students to celebrate their achievements and to say goodbye in person. They could have done it if they wanted to. What a pity that they didn’t.
In a May 29 article, journalist Martin Regg Cohn said this: “A government must weigh medical health and mental health. It must consider pedagogy and parenting. It must look at community transmission rates and personal risk tolerance. It must gauge the spread of a deadly new variant from India – now widespread in the U.K. – while our borders and airports remain only partly secured.”
On that, he is right.
The follow-up, of course, is that then a decision has to be made. On balance, in relation to this issue, is it better to open in-school learning for three weeks and risk a spike in COVID-19 and variant infections or is it better to stay the course, keep the numbers down, and when they get to the desired level, begin to reopen the province, for young people, for the much-needed relief of pandemic fatigue for everyone, young and old alike, and to restart a fragile economy?
The Ford Government has made their decision regarding the opening of in-class learning in June. Some will agree with it and many others will not or will find a reason to blame him for it. I am sure I will hear about that.
But to suggest, as much of the media and opposition critics have, that this decision was made by the Ford government only on the basis of opening up patios and pleasing their friends, and at the expense of denying young people an education, belies the criteria on which the government actually reached the conclusion they did, ignores the consequences of further COVID spikes, dismisses the issue of mental health, promotes disinformation, and places the emphasis far more on partisan party politics than it does on dealing with the reality of the problem.
Why does this remind me of the United States?
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc. and enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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Dr. Keedic: Actually, I probably will in due course when we see how this plays out. But not this coming week. There are more important things to deal with.
Not to put a spin on this current conversation as I feel that Doug made the right decision albeit for the wrong reasons, I am really looking forward to hearing Hugh defend the notwithstanding clause next week.
Thank you Mary Spring. I always appreciate your ability to communicate clearly and effectively. My sentiments exactly! I have phoned our local MPP Scott Atchison regarding the lack of “emergency” daycare for children. Because we live in a service community, it means that our workers are working. And, I continue to wonder who is looking after the children. I’m sad that our government politicians and beaurocrats don’t seem to understand their responsibility to the community.
I was frustrated to hear that the schools would not be re-opening until the fall. Our government leaders did not listen to the doctors, the Science Advisory or the public health experts when making this decision. However short, the three weeks would have given the children time to be together with their peers and it would have helped the teachers to do some assessment of learning since they were last together in person. That would have prepared them for September.
Unfortunately, Mr Ford spoke before he really thought about the next few months ahead.
Mr Ford and Mr Lecce have promised a”fun summer” ahead for the children, time filled with day camps, overnight camps and organized sporting activities. For many children, those luxuries are not possible. What will the government do for children whose parents are unable to afford sports or camps?
Without consulting the teachers or school administrators, Mr. Ford promised every child in Ontario, not just those children in grade eight and twelve, but every single child, an outdoor graduation ceremony. Phil Lam was correct, as this was an impossible dream. Think of our local schools that would be asked to hold an outdoor graduation ceremony for ten evenings,(JK-grade 8}, between now and late June.
Mr Ford spoke before he really thought.
Mr. Mackenzie; perhaps “little Arthur’s request” and asking a few principals in preparation of this commentary may prove to be a bit myopic. Not only are Mr. Lam’s comments a good description, but add to that the obvious variable factors such as school size and location – it becomes easy to imagine that one size does not fit all for graduation ceremonies. Perhaps the Council of Principals spoke for their majority of representatives, rather than laser-focus on “sticking it” to DF. I suspect they have better things to occupy their time during this COVID season.
Bravo Mr. Lam for your idea to recognize the Kamloops uncovering. Thank you.
Ford is a joke and those who still support his government are fools.
Phil L. your are 100% correct!
Could you imagine staff and students back in school during this heat wave, with no air conditioning? Maybe Arthur should have requested AC for the schools instead of graduation.
Good on TLDSB to finally make a reasonable decision and say no to graduations. The first reasonable thing they’ve done in years, talk about a board who dislikes their staff as much as the conservative government.
To Phil Lam:
You have stated the truth about the many end-of-year duties of Principals and, what would need to take place to successfully and safely host an in-person, outdoor graduation; there are numerous considerations.
Hard as it is for the kids, mentally and otherwise and especially those graduating, I think it was best that for the sake of 3 weeks to keep the schools closed. Britain has done well but they opened the schools and in a small town in Scotland (Kirriemuir) it again ran rampant in the schools there and then of course the community. Unfortunately it only takes one person in a school and ….. it spreads like wild fire. There always seems to be that one person! So in the long run I believe it is best for this province to have the schools closed until the fall (even though we may never know the benefit of this decision). My sister-in-law sent me a picture of how the rates of covid have soared in that wee town – unbelievable – so Huntsville do not get complacent!!!
Anyone who has not spent time in a school administration role may have trouble understanding what this time of year is like…placements for the upcoming school year, report cards, report cards, report cards, staffing, hiring, organizing and coordinating the return of technology and equipment, etc etc etc. I know first hand the dedication of Principals at this time of year, throughout the school year and during school breaks. They are dedicated individuals who have not complained once during these trying times. Not once. They have had to pivot just like the teachers and students. The one time the Principals Council objects (finally) to misguided Ford direction, we should really think that they are representing Principals who are fed up and finally vocalizing what should have been said from the start.
Little Arthur’s request (if it even took place!) should have not been the guiding force for Ford’s direction. Let’s consider what would need to take place to successfully host in person grads…mask enforcement (maybe in another rant I will detail the story of how many parents actually REFUSED to mask up while on school property), physical distancing enforcement, hugging?, chair set up, stage set up, rain date, sun protection, washroom use (remember that caretaking staff would need to clean and disinfect after each use, and all areas used…stairwells, doors, floors) the list goes on, all while staff and Principals have been busily confirming virtual details and running a school. Seams a little unfair. Maybe Ford should have taken the time to direct that all graduation ceremonies should include an acknowledgement of the horrible revelations from Kamloops and a commitment from all staff and students that they/we will never again let such events repeat.
Hi Brenda: I agree with you. The principals I contacted in the leadup to my article all said that with the three weeks notice, they could and would have bitten the bullet and switched to outdoor, in person graduations. It is their Association, The Principals’ Council that put the boots to it. I stand by my comment about them.
Brenda Begg, good call. I second your observations. When in my own studies, I was very impressed with the caliber of teachers working towards their education grad degree. Some of these teachers were to become principals. Teachers And Principals can have the best interests of students and still take on the government of the day. “they can walk and chew gum at the same time”, as the saying goes.
But, go ahead, Mr. Mackenzie – classify and sort all you want. Many people see effective principals as essential to the education of their children And understand that political statements from them are in keeping with due diligence and on behalf of their students.
The possibility of adding to the case count and prolonging Covid shutdowns or restrictions dictates a reset in September .Get the Kids vaccinated and We can have normalcy in the Fall…Good call Doug & Friends
Hugh, to”…wonder if the Ontario Principals’ Council is not more interested in sticking it to the Ford Government than they are in helping graduating students, proud parents,…” is quite a stretch! In all of my years of teaching I’ve never come across a principal who didn’t enthusiastically and patiently give their all helping with the graduation ceremony. They supported the staff, students, and parents.