QUEEN’S PARK — MPP for Guelph, Mike Schreiner, has released a school reopening plan drawing on a growing body of health evidence that children can safely return to school with the right COVID-19 public health protocols.
Schreiner is asking the province to invest the funding needed to hire more educators and staff so we can provide full-time in-class learning, with a focus on K-6 so that parents can return to work more easily and children experience a positive learning environment.
His plan would repurpose community space and put a greater emphasis on nature-based learning and outdoor education.
He is urging the government to consult with educators, school boards and teachers’ unions on a plan to:
- Guarantee full-time, in-class learning for all students, prioritizing K-6
- Hire new teachers and staff for smaller group learning
- Limit class sizes to no more than 15 students
- Hire additional staff to clean and sanitize schools
- Repurpose community centres, event facilities and other spaces
- Temporarily bring in more portables to expand the spatial footprint of schools
- Develop an anti-racism strategy to ensure racialized students are fully supported
- Provide additional resources for students with special needs
- Increase nature-based learning and outdoor education