Brampton students told to bring everything home in case remote classes commence in January
Published December 17, 2020 at 4:54 pm
As students across Brampton begin their Christmas break tomorrow (December 18) afternoon, they are being told to bring home all learning material as well as personal belongings…just in case they don’t return to their classrooms any time soon.
A memo sent out by Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce to both the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) and Peel District School Board said it is important to prepare for all scenarios if the pandemic worsens in the days ahead and a return to regular classrooms is not possible.
The note subsequently sent to parents by the DPCDSB yesterday suggests the reasons students should clean out their desks and lockers is to allow for “unobstructed extensive deep cleaning of schools” but adds “that students take home any learning materials (textbooks/notebooks/PEDs, etc.), they may require for remote learning in the event that we return on a snow day or other scenario that may develop during the break period.”
Despite the mixed message, Lecce did make clear in his original memo that Ontario’s rapidly evolving health environment has created the situation where a quick turnaround on plans can still be made.
While students are expected to return to classroom on January 4, Lecce said they should be provided the resources necessary for remote learning just in case.
However, the Education Minister again dismissed suggestions of extending the winter break saying schools in Peel Region have been successful at minimizing COVID-19 outbreaks and that strong safety protocols in classrooms are still in place.
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