Several GTA school boards have outlined their contingency plans should thousands of Ontario education workers walk off the job later this week.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents about 55,000 education staff, gave five days’ notice of a potential strike this weekend if a new deal isn’t reached with the government by Friday.
The Ford government introduced legislation on Monday which would prevent a work stoppage, though it remains to be seen if they can get the legislation passed before Friday’s strike date.
CUPE has declared their intention to stage a walkout on Friday despite the province’s move.
What school boards are planning?
Toronto
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has confirmed they will not hold in-person classes on Friday.
“As a result of this announcement, the board will have no option but to close all schools for in-person learning for all students on Friday, November 4, 2022,” the TDSB noted in a news release.
“Student supervision and safety are our top priorities, and without the important services of these school-based employees, we cannot guarantee that our learning environments will remain safe and clean for all students.”
The TDSB says that while there will be no in-person classes, third-party childcare operators in TDSB schools will remain open between 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Due to the strike action, the TDSB says all in-person continuing education classes are also cancelled.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) said Sunday they would be forced to cancel all classes for the duration of a strike if there is a “full withdrawal of services.”
“We understand that this news is difficult and may be the source of stress among families and their children, particularly after the circumstances during the pandemic,” wrote TCDSB’s Director of Education, Dr. Brendan Browne and Chair of the Board, Angela Kennedy, in a joint letter to parents and guardians.
Peel
The Peel District School Board (PDSB) announced that all students would participate in online learning on Friday and that school buildings would be closed.
In a letter to parents and guardians, PDSB officials said teachers and support staff would be remotely available to support students with online learning. Students are asked to log onto their Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) to retrieve assignments and access support from their teacher.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) has yet to decide on whether classrooms will stay open, noting that both boards remain hopeful “that a resolution can be reached at the current negotiation impasse.”
“We understand not having concrete information is difficult for your family planning. We are monitoring the situation, and as it unfolds, we will share with you our next steps on a daily basis,” said PDSB Director of Education Rashmi Swarup.
York
Officials with the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) say in the event of a strike all schools will be closed on Friday and school buses won’t be running. As well, before and after care programs will be cancelled. Full-day child care centers will be able to remain open at the discretion of the operator.
“Any job action by CUPE members will significantly impact the operations of our schools and our ability to keep schools safely open,” the YCDSB said in a letter to parents.
“While this situation remains fluid, we recommend that families start making alternative childcare arrangements.”
The York Region District School has not confirmed anything but is advising parents to be prepared for the event of school closures on Friday.
“While we monitor this situation and its potential effect on school operations, we encourage families whose children attend in-person learning to begin making alternate arrangements for childcare,” the board said.
Halton
Halton District School Board (HDSB) officials say they will be going to a mix of in-person and online learning for its elementary school students, while secondary school students will continue in-person learning if there is a labour disruption.
“The HDSB is committed to doing everything we can to keep our schools open,” the school board said in a statement on its website Sunday. “To keep our schools open, HDSB elementary schools (Kindergarten-Grade 8) will alternate between in-person and remote learning beginning Friday, Nov. 4. HDSB elementary schools will be open for in-person learning on Friday, Nov. 4.”
“HDSB secondary schools (Grade 9-12) will continue to be open for in-person learning for all students each day. This includes Grade 7-12 schools (Aldershot, Burlington Central and Acton District).”
The Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) had previously said they would close schools to students if CUPE proceeds with a full withdrawal of services on Friday.
Durham
The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) announced late on Monday that schools would be closed to all students on Friday, noting that parents and guardians should not send children to school if there is a full withdrawal of services.
Durham District School Board (DDSB) have advised they are monitoring the situation and will provide updates when there is further clarity. The boards are advising parents to be prepared for any possibility.
Outside of GTA
The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) says they plan to close schools on Friday in the event of a full withdrawal of services and will continue to provide regular updates.
“CUPE represents more than 1,000 education workers at HWCDSB, who provide valuable services to our students, schools and board,” the board said in a statement.
Two other Ontario school boards have said they will close schools if education workers go on a full strike.
The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board said last week that a “full withdrawal of service” by CUPE would mean they would not be able to ensure safe conditions for students and staff.
With files from John Marchesan, Lucas Casaletto and Patricia D’Cunha
