Hey everyone! Thank you so much for the continued support. The ministry of education announced the plan for the upcoming school year. It’s not particularly the safe Covid-conscious plan we’ve been hoping for. I am very troubled by this “plan” proposed by the ministry of education and the director of public Health. According to Global news: “masks will not be mandatory in the classroom.” However, “They will be obligatory in common areas and hallways in schools for older elementary school, high school and post-secondary students as well as teachers and staff.”
In addition to that, when asked why masks are not mandatory in the classroom, the director of public Health or Quebec said that it would be too difficult for children and teens.
When asked why students will not have to wear masks in classrooms, the director of Quebec public health said such a requirement would be hard for children and teenagers. “Wearing a mask all the day is difficult for an adult, so imagine for kids,” said Dr. Horacio Arruda. If I can dance for three hours while wearing a mask, why can’t students wear their masks in class?
In addition, Roberge announced that instead of making Roberge said the province’s initial plan was to make small groups of six within a classroom to form a bubble.. “instead, the bubble “has been enlarged to include the entire class.””
Despite this all, “Quebec is also maintaining an option for students in Grades 10 and 11 to physically attend classes one out of every two days, if their school cannot organize stable classroom bubbles.”
What concerns me even more is the following: “Students will not have to practise physical distancing in class, but they must remain at least two metres apart from one another in common spaces.” Generally, from what I’ve noticed, class sizes range from 20-28 in Elementary school and 28-30 to sometimes close to 40 students. The numbers make it impossible to socially distance, as is... Given that physical distancing won’t be practiced in the classroom, the possible amount of transmission rises.
Plus, it has yet to be revealed if teachers will get Covid-19 tests prior to entering the school premises. It hasn’t been made clear if hand sanitizing dispensers will be installed and available. Not to mention that no one has confirmed wether or not the temperature of students and teachers will be taken prior to the entering the premises.
Now, students with medical conditions that can be worsened by the novel coronavirus are allowed to access remote learning. As well as children with immunocompromised family members. Teachers who are immunocompromised are advised to remain home.
However, what about the kids who are anxious about going to school due to Covid-19? What about the parents who don’t feel comfortable sending their children to school mid-pandemic? Especially on the brink of a second wave. What about the kids who easily get sick, despite not being immunocompromised? What about the kids who are undiagnosed but probably immunocompromised? What about the kids with severe anxiety surrounding this pandemic? What about protecting children and teachers and staff? Lives are being put at risk. This is not okay. The fight is NOT over. I’m considering making a new petition to put pressure on the ministry of education.
However, for now, you can contact Roberge with your concerns here:
Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur
1035, rue De La Chevrotière
Québec (Québec) G1R 5A5
Telephone: 418 643-7095
Toll-free: 1 866 747-6626
Fax: 418 646-6561
Electoral division
2028, avenue Bourgogne
Telephone: 450-658-5452
Fax: 450-658-4417
Ministère de l'Éducation
600, rue Fullum
9e étage
Montréal (Quebec) H2K 4L1
Telephone: 514-873-4792
Fax: 514-873-1082
Email:
Jean-Francois.Roberge.CHMB@assnat.qc.ca
ministre@education.gouv.qc.ca
(Feel free to use my words as guidelines if needed)
To contact Dr Arruda:
Dr. Horacio Arruda
Director of Public Health and Assistant Deputy Minister
Ministry of Health and Social Services
1075 Sainte-Foy Road
Quebec, QC
G1S 2M1
Tel: (418) 266-6700
www.gouv.qc
Dr. Horacio Arruda
Director of Public Health and Assistant Deputy Minister
Ministry of Health and Social Services
1075 Sainte-Foy Road
Quebec, QC
G1S 2M1
Tel: (418) 266-6700
www.gouv.qc.ca