Ontario school boards told to prepare for remote learning in January

Ontario school boards have been told to prepare for the possibility of fully remote learning next year.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce has told board chairs they should encourage staff and students to bring essential learning materials home over the holidays.

In a memo, Lecce says the government is eyeing an increase in hospitalizations and ICU admissions from COVID-19.

He says the precaution will help the education system be ready for “all scenarios.”

“A decision to close schools or move from in-person to remote learning would be made by the Ministry of Education or Hamilton Public Health Services,” said the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board in a letter to families.

“We will inform families through a school messenger notification should a change in our learning models be required.”

Our COVID-19 update has details on enhanced public health measures, communication expectations for confirmed cases over the break, remote readiness, elementary transitions, a secondary school update and more.

See images or latest family update found at: https://t.co/WiqZEAWNqu pic.twitter.com/KBlPQCHRM8

— HWDSB (@HWDSB) December 16, 2020

The boards says its team is ready to pivot to remote learning if needed.