3 functional closures of B.C. schools since students returned to in-person learning
It’s been one week since students returned to the classroom for in-person learning since the extended three-week winter break, and already, there have been three schools forced to briefly shut down.
Both Armstrong Elementary in the North Okanagan and Hazelton Secondary School posted notices on their website explaining that a “staffing shortage” had prompted temporary closures.
“Those are areas in the province where the teacher shortage is just particularly dire,” said Teri Mooring, president of the BC Teachers’ Federation. “It’s not surprising that these are the areas where we're seeing the first few functional closures.”
She said the third school that closed was an independent school in Surrey.
In Armstrong, the staffing shortage was caused by teachers exercising their right to refuse unsafe work and filed claims with WorkSafe BC.
Graham Gomme, president of the North Okanagan-Shuswap Teachers Association, did not respond to CTV News’ questions about how many teachers filed unsafe work claims and did not elaborate on the situation, but hinted the issue of masking is to blame.
“Most of the teachers felt unsafe working at the school and several have stayed home because of the number of students not wearing masks,” Gomme wrote in an email.
Since Oct. 1, 2021, a mask mandate was expanded to include all K to 12 students.
There are some exemptions allowed, including students who cannot tolerate a mask for health or behavioural reasons, but Mooring said some students are refusing to wear masks altogether.
“This has been an issue for some time. And I think it's become much more intense because people are much more concerned about how transmissible Omicron is,” she said.
Jennifer Heighton, an elementary school teacher and co-founder of Safe School Coalition, said she’s spent the first week preparing her students in case her school is also forced to close.
“We were all told to make sure that they were familiar with the computer systems,” she said. “For some of them, it was the first time they’ve ever used email so that was interesting and it takes time to get it ready.”
She said it was concerning that already three other schools have had to functionally close.
“There's only been very few days and so to have three so quickly, it was quite surprising. Although with the Omicron being so incredibly transmissible and the fact that it's spreading in the community so much, I guess in some ways, we shouldn't be surprised,” Heighton said.
To help make schools safer, Burnaby company Vitacore is donating 100,000 N99, N95 and FFP3 respirators to teachers through the BCTF.
“Personally as a parent, I'm very grateful for all the work that they're doing right now,” said Mikhail Moore. “We are behind them and it gets the conversation rolling about, you know, what a high level of protection, specifically respiratory protection, within schools looks like. But there's a lot of work for us to still do.”
Some school districts have made the investment for HEPA filters.
Federal funding for better ventilation in schools also means some headway is being made, said Mooring.
But some teachers would like to see the province set up by prioritizing booster shots for teachers and providing N95s.
“Every safety measure that we're calling for, is all designed to keep schools open and safe,” Mooring said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.