Windsor-Essex schools likely to 'adopt the plan as presented' for back to school: Dr. Ahmed
Students will be able to participate in both indoor and outdoor extra-curricular activities, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccine status when school resumes in September, according to Ontario’s medical officer of health.
Dr. Kieran Moore made the announcement Wednesday, just a day after the province unveiled its back-to-school plan for September.
“We would like to allow broad based participation within those sports knowing that we want to have as close to return to normal as we can and have the benefit of the social, mental and physical well-being of our children,” Moore said.
Ontario’s top doctor said it was an omission in Tuesday’s plan, but after consulting with local public health units and sports leagues, he feels comfortable it will be possible, while managing risk.
Moore also noted a student’s ability to participate will not depend on their vaccine status.
“There shouldn’t be any barriers or stigmatization of children who have not received a vaccine in any way in normal activities throughout the school year,” said Moore.
WINDSOR-ESSEX BOARDS REVIEWING PLAN
It’s a plan that school boards are currently reviewing.
“We understand that extracurricular activities are an extremely important part of every child’s education. Whether it’s athletics, arts, or clubs, these activities play an essential role in their social development and in the promotion of positive mental health,” said Emelda Byrne, the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board’s director of education in a statement.
She added that the board will “review and refine” those plans as it meets with the health unit over the coming weeks
“An essential part of that will be determining which extracurricular activities we can safely offer without encouraging the spread of COVID-19,” Byrne said.
The same goes for the public school board.
“We are in the process of developing plans for return to school based on recent ministry announcements and we will be seeking the advice of WECHU to ensure a safe return to in-person learning,” said public school board director of education Erin Kelly. “We will provide more details with respect to extra-curricular, ventilation, contact tracing etc. as we get additional information. We are excited to welcome our students back into our schools.”
WECHU MEETING WITH SCHOOL BOARDS
Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Wajid Ahmed says he’s reviewed the plans and will continue to meet with school board officials over the next month.
“If the situation changes within our community we’ll have to adapt and update the plan accordingly, but at this point, I would anticipate that we will adopt the plan as presented,” said Ahmed.
He tells CTV News the best way to ensure a safe return to school is by getting vaccinated, especially those in the 12-17 age group, noting it’s also the best way to ensure in-person learning continues throughout the year.
“Let’s hope we don’t have to go back to another closure of the school system, but it is important to understand that could be a possibility, depending on how the fourth wave evolves here,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.