PAUSE

On Friday, March 13th, our students were released to March Break; however, the day before the Ontario government had announced an extension of the break until April 5th. The provincial government announcement was directly related to the World Health Organization declaration that SARS-CoV-2 (virus) had now spread and the disease COVID-19 was at a pandemic level.

What does this mean? It means that people in the world are getting sick (and dying) and governments are fighting to try to protect their peoples’ health, welfare and financial situations while at the same time trying to save economies.

What does it mean for this PAR? Since everything surrounding this virus is changing rapidly, it makes sense that this issue should not be a priority…BUT….the TDSB has had its first Virtual Board Meeting – which suggests that they are working from home and are attempting to keep things moving business-wise. At this moment, I can guess that the priority will be trying to figure out how teachers (still without contracts as unions) will or can deliver the remaining school year despite socio-economic and other inequities between family supports and families. There are A LOT of factors to be considered.

But I will close out this blog now (put it on “pause”) until we know more. Currently, the meeting with the Alumni from both schools, and the meeting with the feeder elementary school folks have been cancelled. This is what we KNOW. If the Board is able to meet (virtually), and staff are still getting paid to work my belief is the PAR will continue…but there will be even LESS opportunities to participate in the futures of these schools.

– Bye for now…D