Schools Closed Until End Of School Year, But Could Open For The New School Year Under Ontario Government’s Plan

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The Ontario Government will be keeping schools closed for the rest of the school year but officials say they’re hoping to reopen schools for the next school year.

“Nothing is more important than protecting our kids in this province, bar none over anything,” said Premier Ford. “Today’s announcement gives parents certainty, knowing that their children can continue to learn safely at home and that we have a plan for child care as we work to gradually reopen more of our economy, when it is safe to do so.”

The government says they’re also planning for the reopening of schools for the 2020-21 school year, the gradual reopening of child care, and the opening of summer day camps “subject to the continuing progress in trends of key public health indicators.”

The government says they’re planning to announce measures “later this summer” to allow students and staff to return to in-class instruction for the 2020-21 school year with increased safety protocols.  Officials say that plan will be “bolstered by an enhanced province-wide virtual learning program that will allow all students to learn, regardless of the challenges that may transpire in the coming months.”

They also say students who were on track to graduate from secondary school before the initial school closure order was made in March will be able to graduate, and all students will receive report cards.

Private schools, licensed child care centres and EarlyON programs will also remain closed under the government’s plan through Stage 1 of the province’s reopening plan, officials said.  They say a gradual reopening of child care is expected to begin when the province is ready to transition to Stage 2 based on public health criteria, which they say will include robust safety protocols for the safety of Ontario’s youngest learners and their staff.

“We will never waver from our commitment to keep your child safe, while learning at home,” said Minister Lecce. “Our plan will ensure students receive the best educational experience, both inside and outside the classroom, during this difficult time. That is why we are strengthening summer learning opportunities, reopening summer day camps, and it is why we will continue to make the case for synchronous, live, and dynamic learning.”

The government says assuming trends in key public health indicators continue to improve, summer day camps, both indoor and outdoor, may be allowed in July and August of this year with strict health and safety guidelines.  Overnight camps will not be permitted to operate in the summer of 2020, they said.