York Region schools going online during ongoing strike

Newmarkettoday.ca
Nov. 7, 2022

York Region's school boards are preparing to go to online learning come Monday with no end of the education workers strike in sight.

Both York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School board have announced that their schools will be closed Monday, and on an ongoing basis, as a labour dispute between education workers and the province continues.

The education workers union, CUPE, has provided notice that their service withdrawal will continue indefinitely and both boards said closures will continue until the strike ends. In the meantime, both boards are moving to asynchronous online learning.

“Teachers will be available to support student learning, and your child’s teacher will communicate with you regarding learning activities,” YRDSB said in a letter to parents.

Education workers held mass demonstrations Friday as they went on strike, with no negotiated deal in place. The province has instituted back-to-work legislation -- using the notwithstanding clause in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to protect it from a legal challenge -- and declared the strike illegal. But CUPE has indicated its strike will continue.

Both boards said they would be working on adjusting students to virtual learning again. Both boards said they would begin providing technology to families who may lack it.

“During the pandemic, we learned that virtual learning has different impacts on our students. Know that we are committed to ensuring that all children have access to their classroom instruction,” YCDSB director of education Domenic Scuglia said in a letter, adding that no assessments will be conducted for usual in-person learners over the next several days.

“We understand that the move to virtual learning will be challenging for many families, and York Catholic is committed to working with you during this time,” Scuglia added. “Please join us in continuing to pray for a freely negotiated agreement that will allow our students to return to the classroom.”