OCDSB survey suggests staff discomfort with full-time school

Parentsmight be looking for their children tosafely return to schools full-time in September, but many teachers and staff at Ottawa's largest school board are less comfortable with the idea, according to the results of a survey that saw 28,000 people give their feedback.

They all agree they want clearerexpectations for assignments, for what's being asked of teachers, and for what to do if anyone shows up sick to school.

The online survey had a "tremendous response,"according to theOttawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), which has more than 70,000 students and 9,000 staff.

Parents, guardians, older students and staffanswered anonymously fromJuly 3 to July 13. They shared their experiences with online learning, as well as their thoughts about what might happen in September. Respondents also read and rankeda sample of comments from others.

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Students in Grades 7 to 12 were comfortable withonline learning, but admitted the biggest barrier was losing motivation this past spring. Students called for the often-empty soap dispensers in the washrooms to be filled,and those who are graduating, in particular, want to know what to expect this school year.

Many parents said they are seeking a full-time return to school, after a spring during which they felt overwhelmed and unable to support their children's online learning. The top three things on their minds are being able to work, giving their children more time to learn, and safety practices in the schools.

"Children need to socialize. They need to feel connected with others and feel human," wrote one parent. "We need to create some opportunities for them to interact and not just with a screen."

School-year jitters for staff

But of the nearly 2,700 staff who responded to the survey, about 35 per cent answered they were "not at all comfortable" about a return to the classroom.A similarproportion answered "somewhat comfortable".

For those who work in schools, much of the feedback was safety related. They wanted reduced class sizes, close monitoring of cleaning, andaccess topersonal protective equipment.

"The existing culture around illness must change," wrote one educator."Currently staff and students come in even if 'under the weather.' Parents MUST keep sick kids home."

Teachers also worried about workload if they are asked toteachstudents in class and those learning from home at the same time.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has added details to its plans for how schools might function come September, and will discuss themat a trustee video conference meeting Tuesday at 9 p.m.

There are three options on the table for September: full-time learning in the classroom, full-time learning remotely, or a hybrid of the two.

The provincial government had floated a hybrid model earlier, but the board decided at its board meeting earlier this month that it prefers students return to school full-time. The Ontario government is expected to make a final decision on the format by August 4.

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In thefull-day scenario, OCDSBexpects full class sizes for all gradesexceptkindergarten, with different daily routines in order to followpublic health protocols. For the hybrid scenario, the board now envisions groups of students attendingMondays andTuesdays or Thursdays and Fridays, and alternate Wednesdays. (A previous hybrid model had set aside Wednesdays for school cleaning.)

Elementary school children wouldnot rotate among classrooms. Everyone would have to performa self-screening before entering school, entry and exitsmight be staggered, and there would be no school assemblies.

Any parent can always choose to have their child learn remotely for the next school year, which the board has requested now begin September3 instead of September 1.

The OCDSB plans to ask for confirmation in August about whether a student will learn in-class or remotely, once it hearsthe provincial government's final decision.

The Ottawa CatholicSchool Board, meanwhile, released its own guide for parents earlier this monthfor how it would safely reopen schools,and is conducting a survey for those who choose distance learning. The survey closes July 22.