Discussions

Home
Discussions
Brandon Chatter
Brandon School Division re-opening plan, Part 2

Brandon School Division re-opening plan, Part 2

Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Brandon School Division re-opening plan, Part 2
8/25/2020 at 7:00 PM

This is the second part in an ongoing discussion relating to re-opening plans for Brandon School Division with school classes scheduled to start on September 8.

The Division released its plan for re-opening via the link below, with schools in the Prairie Mountain Health region being under 'yellow' on the province's Pandemic Response System in comparison to the 'orange' or 'restricted' status that the region itself is under:
The Brandon School Division 2020 Re-Opening Plan is now available on our website, under the BSD Updates on COVID-19 tab. To view the plan, please click here: https://t.co/e9B2OeixQH #BSDSchools #bdnmb # 2020/2021SchoolYear #Brandon pic.twitter.com/ex1W3RjaTI
&mdash: Brandon Schools (@BrandonMBSD) August 14, 2020

Brandon School Division on Tuesday circulated the following memo updating on present state and planning:
https://www.bsd.ca/News/covid19updates/Pages/default.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2pj_6nq8kaIxigFVQBDbv6Ft_Ha6y3iQmcJ86eOMhdJR7QiVMQTfElv4A
The first "Brandon School Division re-opening plan" discussion at the link below reached a length where for performance reasons and readability it has been closed and transitioned to the thread you are reading. You can review the initial thread at:
https://ebrandon.ca/messagethread.aspx?message_id=1058724&cat_id=3

Please continue discussion in this new thread, be it sharing new developments learned re the upcoming school year or thoughts on the plan and the upcoming return to classes
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Rally
8/25/2020 at 7:48 PM

A socially distant rally being organized for Thursday in Brandon ... described as:
“A safe, socially distant rally to let our voices be heard another a safe start for re-opening the schools.&rdquo: Appears to be in connection with the petition that’s gotten more than 15,000 signatures:
Attention Brandonites, and fellow concerned parents and teachers! Thursday August 27th (time TBA) we':ll be rallying to protest the @BrandonMBSD':s decision to revert to ':Yellow':, and expose our children to risk. Please join us as we plan! @SafeSeptemberMB https://t.co/JB4LOaP6L5
&mdash: Emma Varley (@AnthReproHealth) August 25, 2020

Edited by Adam, 2020-08-25 19:51:19
Gammy
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42

Gammy
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42

Federal help
8/25/2020 at 9:35 PM

The federal help should make a difference:
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5699900
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Sun story
8/26/2020 at 5:40 AM

It'll be interesting to see what the federal dollar total nets out to be for here and where those dollars are directed.
A couple news stories today relating to yellow vs orange state for schools....
Sun story goes into some reaction to the discrepancy over the state of schools “Anger, confusion expressed over school restriction”
https://www.brandonsun.com/local/anger-confusion-expressed-over-school-restriction-572224022.html
and CBC story with reaction to the different state for schools vs elsewhere. "Brandon parents told smaller gathering limits don't apply to schools"
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/brandon-school-divison-level-yellow-1.5700005
sunzu
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 117

sunzu
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 117

One word
8/26/2020 at 7:53 AM

Inconvenient! That’s why the discrepancy. It is inconvenient to change yellow to orange in this affected region as all high school students will be learning remotely and some high schools will be used for the overflow in the K - 8 schools it’s a logistical nightmare that looks good on paper but the reality of it all doesn’t really make sense and would be very difficult to carry out. If this isn’t proof that all of this is a political game....
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

CBC looking for feedback
8/26/2020 at 9:06 AM

CBC is looking for feedback about back to school and has invited people to submit information and questions. Note I had to change browsers to get it to work properly even after turning off Ghostery etc.

Direct link to survey page: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-back-to-school-survey-1.5696532

Teachers, students, parents! CBC Manitoba wants to hear about your concerns about back-to-school plans during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://t.co/HPZKVcjNw6 pic.twitter.com/njFN8bTh3A
&mdash: CBC Manitoba (@CBCManitoba) August 26, 2020
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Thank you
8/26/2020 at 9:32 AM

Abbysmum said "CBC is looking for feedback about back to school and has invited people to submit information and questions. Note I had to change browsers to get it to work properly even after turning off Ghostery etc.

Direct link to survey page: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-back-to-school-survey-1.5696532

Teachers, students, parents! CBC Manitoba wants to hear about your concerns about back-to-school plans during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://t.co/HPZKVcjNw6 pic.twitter.com/njFN8bTh3A
&mdash: CBC Manitoba (@CBCManitoba) August 26, 2020
"
Thank you for posting this.
CBC has played an important role in asking questions at press conferences that you can tell there isnt necessarily an initial want to answer and its important that they along with the Sun have best info to know what is on folks' minds. I've submitted my question that I submitted via EngageMB on August 19 that so far has seen no reply in public or private... focusing on the need to offer a remote learning option for the assumed 1/4 of us that are wanting and able and looking for clarification on what makes the situation in Ontario different where they have mandated that all divisions make the option available.
I know we have parents from all sorts of perspectives including those that different from my own and on top of taking art in discussions like we've had on here I hope as many as possible from all walks consider sharing what's important to them.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Federal funding
8/26/2020 at 12:08 PM

Federal announcement took place today re $2 Billion:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-schools-safe-covid19-1.5700424

Press conference held by the Premier this morning was focused on business, but school funding came up in questioning. Sounds like Manitoba's share will net to 3% of our education budget. I havent seen a hard number of the new dollars, but if the pre-Covid School budget for 2020/21 was 1.33 billion back in January that would mean by the time you account for other recent funding announcements that 3% if taken literally looks likely to be at least $40,000,000 in new dollars from the feds.
Media pressed to try to get commitment on spending of the new dollars. It wasn't exactly clear to me where it will go and what areas might see tangible benefit, you can watch the reply yourself at the link below where questioning along these lines starts at about 27:40 and then comes up again at about 37:50 and again just after 44:00:

If anyone sees an actual hard dollar amount for the new federal funding please add.
Question was asked about remote learning, where there was no sign of any new intended option/choice and the preference to encourage children back to class in a safe way was clear. Question was later asked if any of the new funds will be used for remote learning. "Nothing's off the table."
You can see this answered at about 29:00 and then later briefly around 44:50
theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

87.5 million
8/26/2020 at 3:55 PM

Adam said "
Federal announcement took place today re $2 Billion:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-schools-safe-covid19-1.5700424

Press conference held by the Premier this morning was focused on business, but school funding came up in questioning. Sounds like Manitoba's share will net to 3% of our education budget. I havent seen a hard number of the new dollars, but if the pre-Covid School budget for 2020/21 was 1.33 billion back in January that would mean by the time you account for other recent funding announcements that 3% if taken literally looks likely to be at least $40,000,000 in new dollars from the feds.
Media pressed to try to get commitment on spending of the new dollars. It wasn't exactly clear to me where it will go and what areas might see tangible benefit, you can watch the reply yourself at the link below where questioning along these lines starts at about 27:40 and then comes up again at about 37:50 and again just after 44:00:

If anyone sees an actual hard dollar amount for the new federal funding please add.
Question was asked about remote learning, where there was no sign of any new intended option/choice and the preference to encourage children back to class in a safe way was clear. Question was later asked if any of the new funds will be used for remote learning. "Nothing's off the table."
You can see this answered at about 29:00 and then later briefly around 44:50
"
At about the 36:00 mark, he is asked from the CBC about the 87.5 million Manitoba is to receive, and he did not correct it.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Funding
8/26/2020 at 4:10 PM

Nice catch. Via CBC, looks like it’s just a touch lower at $85.4M:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-education-money-federal-government-1.5700705

The 2 billion comes as 1 billion to start and 1 billion in early 2021. The 3% figure the Premier was using must have been based on only that first half since 85.4M would amount to more in the neighborhood of 6%
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

March
8/26/2020 at 6:34 PM

Looks the the event mentioned above will be a march tomorrow/Thursday from City Hall to the Brandon School Division office starting at 9am:
https://facebook.com/events/s/safe-restart-manitoba-brandon-/589761931695807/

And a rally from 4-6pm at the BSD office:
Brandonites, we’re rallying to protest the govt’s rollback of Brandon’s schools from Orange to Yellow tomorrow at the Brandon School Division Office at 1031 6th Street from 4-6pm - please join us! https://t.co/7j0C2XENTc
&mdash: Emma Varley (@AnthReproHealth) August 26, 2020

Edited by Adam, 2020-08-26 18:39:17
moe88
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 11

moe88
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 11

March/Rally??
8/27/2020 at 8:19 AM

I thought under the current rules we are limited to gatherings of no more than 10 people? or do we just follow the rules we want to now?
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Distanced
8/27/2020 at 9:06 AM

moe88 said "I thought under the current rules we are limited to gatherings of no more than 10 people? or do we just follow the rules we want to now? "
Socially distanced rally.
Discouraging/suppressing right to protest in a democracy would not be advisable.
Muppet
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 212

Muppet
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 212

schools
8/27/2020 at 9:07 AM

moe88 said "I thought under the current rules we are limited to gatherings of no more than 10 people? or do we just follow the rules we want to now? "
well seeing as they are saying schools don't need to follow the health order why would this be any different. 20+ kids in a classroom with poor air ventilation systems. Blows my mind that schools are exempt from the health orders of the province / PMH. -
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

4pm
8/27/2020 at 9:08 AM

Whether the live stream or the archived video afterwards, a must-watch for parents...
To learn more about #BdnMb back-to-school pandemic protocols, be sure to catch @BrandonMBSD Supt/CEO Dr. Marc Casavant & @PrairieMtHealth's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Amy Frykoda on our #COVID19 Community Update today w/ Mayor @RickChrest. Watch at 4pm!https://t.co/ZIGy0mhZqI
— City of Brandon (@CityBrandon) August 27, 2020
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Remote learning
8/27/2020 at 5:02 PM

Add BC to the list of provinces allowing divisions to offer a remote learning option and to find a way to make it work this late in the game:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0057-001592

Sounds like most if not all districts/divisions in that province are exploring, but an example of the communique from at least one division to parents/students that includes a new third option of remote learning along with provisions to transition back to in-class when ready:
https://www.sd63.bc.ca
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

City/BSD update
8/27/2020 at 5:05 PM

Here’s the archived video of today’s City stream that includes info from BSD Superintendent Marc Casavant:
https://youtu.be/lul-UW8egM8
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

School
8/27/2020 at 10:24 PM

Some question and answer with the School Division here that speaks to some common questions:
https://www.bsd.ca/News/covid19updates/informationforparents/Parent-Guardian%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions/Pages/default.aspx
The topic of remote learning and how one might qualify based on health came up at the provincial media briefing today. CTV did a good job summarizing what was and wasn't clarified:
https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/which-manitoba-students-qualify-for-remote-learning-1.5082649
Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

........
8/28/2020 at 1:23 PM

So from what I’m seeing in the statistics, it looks as if a good number of cases in the prairie mountain health region are in the 10-19 age group. Kids are set to go back to school in just over a week. We keep hearing that risk to the general public is low because a lot of the cases are linked to clusters.

So are the siblings of these children that have tested positive going to be allowed to attend school? Are there plans being put in place so that the increase in cases does not go beyond these clusters? It will only take one child with exposure to these clusters to start the spread throughout the schools. I’m still completely dumbfounded that anyone could possibly think it is safe to have hundreds of kids in schools again just because of the way our statistics are presenting at the moment.
theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

Being fed a line of BS
8/28/2020 at 3:50 PM

"Public health has determined that it is safe to resume in-class learning while following public health guidance for screening, enhanced hand hygiene, physical distancing, the use of cohorts and outbreak management, which is paramount in keeping as many students as possible in schools this fall and throughout the pandemic."

"Public Health has determined that it is unsafe to have gatherings over 10, and even then 2M distancing must be in effect"

One of these things is not like the other. Let me correct the top part. POLITICS has determined it is safe to resume in class learning.....

Our kids don't pay taxes, so the government is willing to risk their health.
gadget48
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 177

gadget48
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 177

Just wondering...
8/28/2020 at 4:35 PM

I have three children in school and I am confident in the BSD plan to keep my kids safe. It would be nice to see an option for online learning for those who would prefer to keep kids at home (as this would take the strain off the in class students and provide options for high risk teachers to continue to work), but I am satisfied with the measures that are being implemented. I have worked to balance a full time job with the kids being home since March break and I am ready for them to return. They are ready to return to school as well. My children have sacrificed part of their education to "buy time" in the pandemic battle.

A lot of the working parents I have talked to agree with me and are ready for kids to go back. Just wondering if the majority of those who are saying that schools should be shut down / locked down actually have kids in school?
theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

I do
8/28/2020 at 5:03 PM

gadget48 said "I have three children in school and I am confident in the BSD plan to keep my kids safe. It would be nice to see an option for online learning for those who would prefer to keep kids at home (as this would take the strain off the in class students and provide options for high risk teachers to continue to work), but I am satisfied with the measures that are being implemented. I have worked to balance a full time job with the kids being home since March break and I am ready for them to return. They are ready to return to school as well. My children have sacrificed part of their education to "buy time" in the pandemic battle.

A lot of the working parents I have talked to agree with me and are ready for kids to go back. Just wondering if the majority of those who are saying that schools should be shut down / locked down actually have kids in school? "
I am confident the BSD plan to keep my kids safe too, with what they are given. Just not sure how my kid is not safe outside school in a group of more than 10, with 2 meters distancing, but is just fine with up to 75 different kids (in groups of around 30 or a bit less). While we were under Yellow caution level, I was nervous of course, but OK with her going back. Under Orange, it is insane. The precautions just do not line up. Hopefully we will not be orange for long.
Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

.....
8/28/2020 at 9:18 PM

gadget48 said "I have three children in school and I am confident in the BSD plan to keep my kids safe. It would be nice to see an option for online learning for those who would prefer to keep kids at home (as this would take the strain off the in class students and provide options for high risk teachers to continue to work), but I am satisfied with the measures that are being implemented. I have worked to balance a full time job with the kids being home since March break and I am ready for them to return. They are ready to return to school as well. My children have sacrificed part of their education to "buy time" in the pandemic battle.

A lot of the working parents I have talked to agree with me and are ready for kids to go back. Just wondering if the majority of those who are saying that schools should be shut down / locked down actually have kids in school? "
Yes, I do have kids, and I really want them back at school. They need to be back at school. I think that the schools have done their best, and the plans in place are realistically the best they can be. Let’s be logical here though. We can clean and try to make kids social distance all we want. In reality, teachers are going to spend half their day policing mask use and sanitizing everything. It will only take on sick child and it will spread to the point of no control. It’s been happening in other jurisdictions already.
So while I appreciate everything that is being done to keep our kids safe, it’s just not realistic. I say to let the economy be, put travel restrictions back in place, and keep on with remote learning until we see the curve flatten again. I think the biggest mistake that was made was travel restrictions being lifted. We can’t have our cake and eat it too. So if we want our economy to stay open and our kids to be back at school, we need to give up something else. Too many people just had to travel and let their guard down over the summer and now we are paying for it. So what is more important to everyone, travelling, socializing in large crowds, etc., or being able to work and have our kids back at school safely.
gadget48
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 177

gadget48
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 177

Travel ban...
8/28/2020 at 11:19 PM

Absolutely put the travel ban back in place to ensure our kids can stay in school. The rules for quarantine should have been mandated from the beginning. But like Dr. Roussin said we need to learn to live with the virus as it is not going away. There will be a curve, and we are flattening it (it is not exponential: health care sector is able to cope with cases). The virus is not going to disappear. School needs to be the priority and I am glad to see that there is finally consideration for that. No one can see the future and assume what will happen in schools in the fall. Time has been taken to develop safety protocols, and there are now appropriate provincial and BSD response plans in place. "IF" there is a spike in cases in the fall, I am confident that BSD and MB Health will respond accordingly.
cheeseburgermonster
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 119

cheeseburgermonster
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 119

???
8/29/2020 at 12:04 AM

Travel ban from where?
rogercsr2007
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 261

rogercsr2007
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 261

2 Days into school in Quebec
8/29/2020 at 8:30 AM

Sure didn’t take long, gonna be a long year!

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/mobile/20-quebec-teachers-in-quarantine-after-two-test-positive-for-covid-19-1.5083113
tryinghard
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 124

tryinghard
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 124

Florida
8/29/2020 at 8:32 AM

9000 cases in children within 2 weeks of opening. And 8 deaths....
This is not good.
Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

.....
8/29/2020 at 8:42 AM

cheeseburgermonster said "Travel ban from where? "
Travel restrictions for anywhere outside Manitoba. Impose the mandatory 14 day self isolation again for anyone who leaves the province. It deters people from leaving unnecessarily because it’s too hard to self isolate for 14 days when you have to go to work, etc.
theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

Some exceptions
8/29/2020 at 12:45 PM

Jellybean said "Travel restrictions for anywhere outside Manitoba. Impose the mandatory 14 day self isolation again for anyone who leaves the province. It deters people from leaving unnecessarily because it’s too hard to self isolate for 14 days when you have to go to work, etc. "
While I am 100% on board for the 14 day isolation when traveling from out of province, there has to be some exceptions, truckers being the most obvious. They have their own restrictions to keep everyone safe. Without them, we would have no food, medicine, PPE, or anything. There could be a couple of other valid exceptions, but they should be few.
Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

....
8/29/2020 at 12:49 PM

theeagle said "While I am 100% on board for the 14 day isolation when traveling from out of province, there has to be some exceptions, truckers being the most obvious. They have their own restrictions to keep everyone safe. Without them, we would have no food, medicine, PPE, or anything. There could be a couple of other valid exceptions, but they should be few. "
Absolutely. We just need to go back to the same restrictions we had in place before the travel restrictions were lifted. Schools and businesses should be priority for safe reopening, not travelling.