 By Pepper Parr
June 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In a grand gesture yesterday the Premier announced that outdoor graduation events were going to be permitted.
That news came as a surprise to every high school principal in the province.
The Halton District School Board was taken by surprise when they heard the news.
 Bateman high school graduation in 2017 “At this point we don’t even know if we will be able to do it. Many Boards have already said they will not be doing it” said a news source.
“The Ministry has not given any direction, we haven’t spoken to Public health about it yet. It was a total surprise to us he announced it.
“Many schools have already planned their virtual events, which weren’t easy. Also don’t forget he said a celebration for every grade not just graduation.
The school board “will be going over this next week” – what they need is clear direction from the Ministry of Education. “… we have also yet to receive any written confirmation or direction from the Ministry.
The Premier said that there would be graduation events for every grade – which has not been the custom for Ontario schools. The long standing practice has been for high school students to graduate. More recently there have been graduation events for those completing elementary school.
 By Staff
May 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
A statement, jointly released by Lisa Kearns, Councillor for ward 2 and a candidate for the Burlington Provincial Liberal Association and Andrea Grebenc, Chair of the Halton District School Board and also a candidate for the Liberal nomination, said:
Burlington is the best place to live, raise a family, start a business or age in place. Ontario’s general election is just over a year away. It will be an election focused on fighting to strengthen public health care, deliver quality education, grow our economy, and protect our environment for generations to come.
Burlington needs an exceptionally strong candidate to go on the ballot for the June 2022 provincial election. There were two elected officials for the Ontario Liberal nomination: Lisa Kearns, City and Regional Councillor Ward 2 and Andrea Grebenc, Halton District School Board Chair and Trustee for Wards 3 & 6.
 Ward 2 city councilor Lisa Kearns announces decision to withdraw from seeking the Liberal nomination. Lisa Kearns has withdrawn her nomination after due consideration and will seek municipal re-election. She states, “when Ms Grenbenc put forth her interest in running I was happy that there was another candidate that I felt that was a good strong choice for this position, which would allow me to stay in my role as Ward 2 Councillor and continue my passionate work for the ward that I work and live in. There is still so much work to be done here, especially on matters of planning and development. All the recent advancements we have achieved could become undone without the continued watch of a seasoned councillor who is up to date and understands planning matters. I am happy to work alongside Ms Grebenc and give her my support in solidly positioning Burlington for community supported growth, not over-development.”
As a life-long Burlington resident, Ms Grebenc has successfully competed in two municipal elections for Halton District School Board Trustee and runs an IT consultation business. The second-largest area of provincial oversight is education.
By the time the provincial election is called she will have been working directly for that sector – approving budgets, advocating, and setting policy for nearly 8 years.
Burlington is fortunate to have nomination candidates truly focused on serving constituents so we can make a better tomorrow for Burlington residents and the citizens of Ontario.
 Andrea Grebenc, Chair of the Halton District School Board chairing a meeting virtually. Grebenc, speaking about Kearns said: “Lisa’s work as a councillor both at the city and regional level is impactful and shows a deep concern for the future of the City of Burlington. The conversations I’ve had with Lisa surrounding municipal issues where she has advocated for critical changes at the provincial level include the Land Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) and policies that prioritize the health & well-being of our families and loved ones.
“These are issues I am happy to carry forward into the candidacy and ultimately to Queens Park as MPP for Burlington.” .
Kearns who didn’t know Grebenc previously said: “Andrea’s proven leadership and tenacity for advancing provincial matters are widely recognized. Her elected and professional roles demonstrate a keen interest in community well-being and navigating complex issues with political acuity. She will be a strong champion for Burlington’s values as we seek greater autonomy at the provincial level.”
 By Pepper Parr
May 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The back and forth debate over sending students back to school for the three weeks in June that are the balance of this school term seems to forge what everyone says they want – the best thing for the students.
 While due to retire in August, current Director of education for the Halton District School Board Stuart Miller could lead a drive to get students vaccinated before September. Students have been jerked around for the past 18 months.
The pandemic that we are now beginning to admit was something we should have been more aware of did throw a monkey wrench into the way we educated students.
Teachers went into shock when they were asked to teach their students by telephone, which is basically what virtual teaching is. There were no programs to help the teachers overcome the problems.
The equipment needed didn’t exist. The Halton District school Board has put more than “2000 pieces of hardware” into the hands of students.
Some teachers had difficulty adapting to teaching virtually.
The public doesn’t yet understand just how big a challenge students faced. The idea of thinking about teaching kindergarten virtually boggles the mind.
Significant damage has been done, much of it unavoidable.
But surely we don’t have to continue damaging these students.
We appear to be on our way out of the pandemic. Vaccinations are taking place and the Ontario government seems too to have learned to communicate with its citizens.
It looks, as well, that the federal government has vaccine supply lines that are holding.
Could we not now commit to having every student and every teacher vaccinated before school classes begin again in September?
There is an organization called CODE – Committee of Directors of Education. These men and women have clout – have them use that clout and work with the local Medical Officers of Health and get the job done.
It’s possible – what it appears to be missing is the will.
Find it – the students deserve to be back in the classrooms and the teachers have to be able to do what they do best.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Staff
May 26th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton District School Board Secondary students area invited to participate in focus groups to gather insight into HDSB’s response to racism.
The Halton District School Board will be conducting virtual focus groups with secondary students (Grade 9-12) during the month of June to gather student insight into the Board’s current response to racism in schools.
 Thousands of students marched to city hall and took part in a peaceful demonstration in June of 2020
Gathering this information supports the Board’s ongoing accountability to its equity goals, as outlined in the 2020-2024 Multi-Year Plan and the Human Rights Equity Action & Accountability Plan: The Way Forward. The focus groups will be hosted virtually across each of the four municipalities in Halton.
Halton students have been active participants in the movement to remove racism from the community. While the Black Lives Matter march on Burlington city hall was very successful – there have nevertheless been racial incidents that the larger community will not tolerate.
 Curtis Ennis, newly appointed Director of Education for the Halton District School Board The newly appointed Director of Education for the Halton District School Board is a man of colour with a strong record of working with communities to end racism. Curtis Ennis will join the Board soon and be in place for the start of the new school year in September. He leaves the Toronto District School Board as the interim Associate Director, Equity, Well-Being and School Improvement.
Interested secondary students must complete the ‘Student Insight Conversations on HDSB’s Response to Racism’ Registration Form by Monday, May 31 at 4 p.m. Participation is voluntary. Registration form is HERE
“As a Board we are invested in learning more about how well students feel we have responded to incidents of racism in our schools,” says Rob Eatough, Superintendent of Education with responsibility for Equity. “The information and insights received will be reviewed over the summer and a report will be developed with recommendations to guide and inform a plan of action and enhanced accountability beginning in the fall.”
The virtual focus groups will take place between 1 – 3 p.m. or 4 – 6 p.m. on the following dates:
• Oakville: Wednesday, June 2
• Halton Hills: Monday, June 7
• Milton: Wednesday, June 9
• Burlington: Thursday, June 10
The focus groups will be facilitated by HDSB staff in the Equity and Research departments.
By Staff
May 25th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Have you ever wondered how organizations manage to get corporate sponsorship for their events?
Festivals Ontario is holding a virtual event that will feature Judy Haber, a woman considered best in class in the Sponsorship industry. Judy has been selling Corporate Sponsorship and Naming Rights for the past 25 years.
 Judy was instrumental in packaging and selling events that included The Shoppers Drug Mart Toronto Marathon, The Bay Street Rat Race, and over the last 10 years has spearheaded the B&O Yorkville Run for Charities. Since inception, the B&O Yorkville Run for Charities has raised millions of dollars for local not for profit groups, with sponsorship support from companies that included New Balance, Lexus, Equinox, Camrost Felcorp, Hill Street Beverages, Whole Foods, and other like brands.
The events have consistently covered their operating expense with Corporate Sponsorship.
Join Judy on Thursday, May 27 at 1:00pm for an hour of insight on the current landscape of Sponsors, how to package and sell community events, and answers to your specific question.
 Send these to debbie@festivalsandeventsontario.ca by tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12 noon.
Click on the link below to register for free, reserve your space, and get the ZOOM link.
 By Staff
May 19th, 221
BURLINGTON, ON
Trustees of the Halton District School Board are pleased to announce the appointment of Curtis Ennis as the new Director of Education, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Board, effective August 1, 2021.
 Curtis Ennis, newly appointed Director of Education for the Halton District School Board
Ennis’ career portfolio during the past 22 years has included a variety of senior leadership positions with the Toronto District School Board, Canada’s largest school board, as well as the Ontario Ministry of Education. Ennis began his career as a primary teacher and advanced through various leadership roles as a Superintendent of Education with increasing responsibilities.
He is currently the Associate Director, Equity, Well-Being and School Improvement (Interim).
Ennis has led numerous strategic planning initiatives in the TDSB, as well as gaining leadership experience with the Ministry of Education’s Toronto and Area Regional Office. Ennis holds a Bachelor of Business Management (Accounting/Finance) and a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education (Language, Culture & Teaching) from York University.
Following the retirement announcement of the current Director of Education, Stuart Miller, trustees began a search process in early December 2020. With the help of Joan M. Green and Associates/Lough Barnes Consulting Group (LBCG), an extensive consultation took place. The search involved consultation with stakeholders in the education community including HDSB staff, local unions, trustees, students, community partners and beyond to develop the Halton-specific Director position profile.
“The Trustees of the Halton District School Board (HDSB) were impressed with, and grateful for, the strong show of interest and outstanding qualifications of the candidates who applied for the position of Director of Education,” says HDSB Chair Andréa Grebenc.
“We are excited to welcome Curtis Ennis as the HDSB’s incoming Director. Curtis brings a wealth of knowledge gained through senior leadership roles in the Ontario education sector. He has diverse experiences that will be invaluable in building strong relationships with students, staff, families and community members, as the HDSB continues its journey to fulfilling the goals outlined in the 2020-2024 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, and providing outstanding opportunities for every student.”
Ennis has a proven-track record of strategic planning and leadership with a focus on student achievement and well-being, equity and inclusion, communication and relationship building.
“I am truly honoured and excited to be joining the Halton District School Board as Director of Education, says Ennis. “I am grateful to the Trustees for their confidence in me and I look forward to leading and learning with the students, staff, families and community partners of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville in the years ahead. Leadership for me has always been about service and I am deeply committed to working with all staff and the Board to carry on the Halton tradition of excellence in education while being acutely mindful of those who have been historically under-served and have faced barriers to positive outcomes.
“Working collaboratively with students, staff, trustees and communities, I will be intentional and focused on ensuring the success and well-being of students of all identities in HDSB.”
 By Pepper Parr
May 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Have the people at Parks and Recreation taken dancing lessons?
 We should know by next weekend if the signs are going to make a difference They have had to pivot on almost every project they have on the go.
 The sign is certainly in the right place. When the Gazette reported that there were large numbers of people gathering inappropriately we mentioned that there were no signs in place.
We reported that story on Monday (it did great things for our readership) – this afternoon we got a response from Chris Glenn who sent us three pictures of signs that are in place in the park.
Chris Glenn reported: “The signage is in place at SSP and other locations. Included a couple examples below.
The park ambassadors and other compliance monitoring / enforcement options are being discussed with council this week, primarily at the EICS meeting under the COVID verbal update. Will know more after this discussion.”
They are scrambling but they are on top of it. Realize that much of the communication between staff members is by cell phone from their homes.
 The message is certainly clear enough. Add a couple of bylaw control officer ans the small crowds will disappear.
By Staff
April 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Emergency Preparedness Week (EPW) is an annual Canada-wide initiative encouraging all Canadians to take actions to be better prepared to protect themselves and their families during emergencies.
In line with the pressures of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s EPW theme of Emergency Preparedness: Be Ready for Anything, the City of Burlington is launching the first of multiple screenings of the film The Great Disconnect.
Residents can sign up for the free May 4 or 6 virtual screenings of The Great Disconnect which will include a panel discussion with local leaders and film crew members.
Link to the Eventbrite site to register: CLICK HERE
 Two screening: one during the day and a second in the evening. About the film
The Great Disconnect uncovers why, in a world seemingly more connected than ever before, people are feeling more and more socially isolated – and the true cost this has on our lives and communities. It was written, directed and produced by passionate people wanting to make a difference in the lives of those who live in their communities, neighbourhoods and abroad. Since its official launch in October 2019, the film has screened across Canada through multiple municipalities, non-profits and NGOs, and has been shown in ten countries across Europe. It has also been featured in over twelve independent film festivals, and in October 2020, the documentary won the award for Best Feature Film at the prominent Better Cities Film Festival. The judges’ panel included the famous architect Jan Gehl alongside other esteemed architects and urbanists.
 Acclaimed. Synopsis
Experts who were interviewed for The Great Disconnect, described our time as the “age of loneliness.” Despite Western advances in technology, living conditions, education and healthcare, we as a society, are isolating ourselves from one another and because of this, facing a health crisis that affects all ages, genders, races, and cultures. But how have we become so disconnected? And what can we do to change the status quo and fulfill our potential for health and well-being? Join wellness expert Tamer Soliman as he journeys through North American cities to meet with local citizens, community activists, and leading authorities on social, economic, and urban planning to discover the true factors that have profound and lasting impacts, not only on our health, but the health of the communities in which we live.
Virtual screenings
Residents can sign up for one of the free May virtual screenings on Eventbrite and take our quick survey to help inform the discussion with the panelists at Great Disconnect Survey.
Tuesday, May 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The panel will include:
- Tamer Soliman, Director, Producer and Co-Writer of The Great Disconnect
- Sarah Douglas, Writer and Story Editor of The Great Disconnect
- Lisa Crapsi, Recreation Coordinator for Neighbourhood Development, City of Burlington
- Susan Biggs, A/ Superintendent – #1 District |Milton|Halton Hills, Halton Regional Police service
Thursday, May 6, 6 to 8 p.m.
The panel will include:
- Tamer Soliman, Director, Producer and Co-Writer of The Great Disconnect
- Sarah Douglas, Writer and Story Editor of The Great Disconnect
- Steve Jones, Master Trainer, Mental Health Commission of Canada
- Karen Roche, Fire Chief, City of Burlington
- Lisa Crapsi, Recreation Coordinator for Neighbourhood Development, City of Burlington
- Sergeant Ryan Smith, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Halton Regional Police Service
- Beth Martin, Founder, Together Burlington
- Ryan Gallagher, Founder and Host, Mental Edge Lifestyle Podcast
This Emergency Preparedness Week event is an opportunity for community members to view this timely documentary that invites people to reflect on the relationships we have with those around us and raises the question: is it possible to overcome our modern culture of disconnectedness and rediscover how truly essential we are to one other?
In an emergency, residents may need to evacuate or stay in their homes for long periods of time. Everyone needs a kit with enough supplies to keep you and your family self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Either build your own kit or buy an emergency kit online and in stores across Canada.
Amber Rushton, Community Emergency Management Coordinator explains the context in which the film is being screened: “With the pandemic impacts we have all experienced in our own way, social connectedness, other-centred action, and neighbourhood preparedness will help us recover and build our new normal as a community.
“Everyone has a role to play in an emergency and building community resilience and mental health readiness is critical in protecting ourselves and our loved ones. The City of Burlington is proud to provide this virtual viewing opportunity to residents to help shine a light on the importance of the health of our communities.”
By Staff
April 23, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Region Public Health Unit released the follow:
Getting our community vaccinated and protecting our most vulnerable residents from COVID-19 continues to be Halton Region’s top priority. As of Thursday, April 22, 2021, 158,938 doses have been administered in Halton to priority populations identified by the Province. This represents about 30 per cent of Halton’s population who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Our vaccination status dashboard is updated Monday to Friday between 12 and 2 p.m. Please click here to view the full dashboard.
Our team would also like to share the following videos:
• April 21 COVID-19 Vaccine Safety from Dr. Hamidah Meghani 4:06 minutes
• April 21 COVID-19 Council update from Halton Region Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deepika Lobo 9:34 minutes
• April 21 COVID-19 Vaccine Council update from Halton Region Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joana Oda and CAO Jane MacCaskill 25:53 minutes
Editor’s note: Keeping a public informed is vital; using video is often better than something written – putting out a video that is close to half an hour long is vert poor communications practice.
By Staff
April 21st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Halton District School Board – Supporting positive mental health and well-being. The Halton District School Board is hosting more than 15 Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians, with the first session held on April 27 and others scheduled throughout the month of May. These sessions will cover specific topics based on feedback from parents/guardians through a survey sent earlier this year. Each will be led by a mental health expert in that area who will share their knowledge and provide helpful information and resources.
Session presenters will include HDSB staff and mental health experts from local community organizations including Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), ADAPT, Danielle’s Place, National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), Eat2Grow, CHM Therapy Services, Halton Support Services, Developmental Services of Ontario, Mental Health and Addiction Nurses, Roots Community Services, and Bayridge Counselling Centres.
To Register CLICK HERE
Session topics include:
• Healthy eating, body image, eating disorders
• Self-regulation and emotional well-being
• Substance use, vaping, online/video gaming
• Supporting children with learning disabilities
• Social isolation and connectedness for 2SLGBTQ+ youth
• Impact of COVID-19 and racism for Black identifying families
• Staying engaged during online learning
• Anxiety
• Psychiatric medications
Registration is required for these sessions as limited spots are available. Parents/guardians can register by completing the Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions Registration Form. Sessions will be held on Google Meet or Zoom (depending on the session) and registrants will be emailed a link to access the session. Sessions will not be recorded.
Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to submit questions when completing the registration form or during the session.
The Board’s new Mental Health & Well-Being webpage has information for parents/guardians and students on mental health, ways to support positive mental health and well-being and how to get additional support at school and in the community.
 By Sarah Miller Liana
April 21st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Reprinted from the Christian Science Monitor
The headline read:
‘Humbling’: Canada’s self-image slides in pandemic as US rebounds
Last year, as the first wave of the pandemic waned, Canadians were grieving from the toll of it all. Yet they were also relatively grateful – especially as they looked at their neighbor to the south.
 The pandemic amplified all the things Canada lauds itself for when it compares itself with the United States – as a nation that is a fraction of the size of the powerhouse next door often does. Its universal health care, a functional government, a communal spirit, and a rule-abiding culture were held up as reasons that case numbers stayed reasonably low. The U.S., meanwhile, bickered about masks and whether the virus was a hoax as cases surpassed anywhere else in the world.
Now Canada finds itself amid a daunting third wave. And as the U.S. has flexed its muscle in an ambitious inoculation campaign, a counter-narrative is emerging among some Canadians that finds them unsettled but also humbled. It underscores a national inclination toward comparative assessment that can often blind the country to its own shortcomings on everything from gun violence to racism to health care – and make it too hard on both the U.S. and itself.
For months, Canada looked at the U.S. pandemic response and felt a sense of superiority. But now the narrative has flipped, and it’s pointing to the danger of building a sense of self-worth on comparisons.
“A year ago it was all about how America breaks the rules … while we are a ‘play by rules crowd,’” says Michael Adams, the president of the Environics Institute, which measures Canadian attitudes. Now the narrative centers around just how much of a global leader in science, manufacturing, and distribution the U.S. is while Canada waits.
“You need a balanced view,” he says. “We – the world and Canada at the head of the list – are benefiting from American innovation and an American can-do philosophy. You can’t just look at America through all the problems they have.”
For the first time, as the world enters year two of the pandemic, Canada has surpassed the U.S. on a per capita basis for the number of new COVID-19 cases, shaking its sense that its compliant culture or commitment to public health would protect it from the worst playing out south of the border.
Today, while many Americans start traveling and tasting a return to normalcy, many parts of Canada have entered their darkest moment. British Columbia has issued a “circuit breaker” shutdown. Quebec extended a months long curfew, ordering residents home by 8 p.m. in some cities like Montreal, leading to protests there.
Ontario, where 40% of Canadians live, has been hardest hit. This week it announced it was shuttering schools indefinitely. Hospitals have canceled all but emergency surgeries for the first time since March 2020 and are preparing field hospitals as record cases wallop the province.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has been far faster at providing shots to those who want them, with 38% of Americans receiving one dose versus 22% of Canadians. Canada is dependent on global supply chains for its doses, and is hoping to get more surplus from the U.S. All this feeds directly into Canadian perceptions of how they stand next to the U.S.
Aisles of non-essential goods are cordoned off at a Walmart store, as new measures are imposed on big-box stores due to the pandemic, in Toronto, April 8, 2021.
 Randy Boyagoda: professor of English at the University of Toronto “Canadians define themselves against the United States, and did so perhaps with greater satisfaction and justification over the past four years, and in particular during the dramatic playing out of the pandemic over the past year,” says Randy Boyagoda, a Canadian novelist and professor of English at the University of Toronto. “Now Canadians are forced to reconsider one of the fundamental features of their self-understanding.”
The founding idea of Canada lies in “peace, order, and good government.” Dr. Boyagoda saw proof of that reiterated in the orderly, yet slower, vaccine rollout where he is in Ontario. But is orderly always the best way forward if it gets in the way of dynamism and speed? “Eight months ago, we were taking great satisfaction in not having the same public health situation as in the United States. I think right now we take less satisfaction.”
The current situation is just a snapshot in time; Canada’s per capita death toll is still only a third of that of its neighbor. But the reversal comes as a punch, particularly because it involves health, one area where Canadians overwhelmingly agree their model is superior to the market approach taken in the U.S.
Kate Snider, a high school student in Toronto, is a Canadian American contemplating where to go to university next year: “Last year I was apprehensive about applying to any U.S. schools.” Right now “it seems to be a lot safer in the U.S.”
What Canadians fault most is what they see as a political response in many provinces that they find incoherent. The country’s current plight has spurred important debate, on topics ranging from the demise of Canadian manufacturing capability to provinces not offering workers paid sick leave. But there is also some sense of “humbling,” says Richard Nimijean, who teaches Canadian studies at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Rethinking the comparison
Comparing Canada with the U.S. often has a distorting effect on issues, whether it’s pandemic response, racism, police and gun violence, or poverty. Faring better than the U.S. on most measures can promote a complacency that makes it difficult to tackle internal problems.
 Richard Nimijean: teaches Canadian studies at Carleton University in Ottawa. Dr. Nimijean, for example, often talks about Canadian health care in his classes and asks if students would feel superior about their system if they compared it not with the U.S., but with Scandinavia. An answer, he says, “is not even in their mindset, because the U.S. dominates so much.”
“But in international comparisons of wealthy countries, Canada doesn’t perform that well. It performs better than the United States,” he says. “So we need to be careful about how we assert these ideas.”
Canadian activists trying to address discrimination in policing or racism generally also complain that their fight is discounted because problems here are overshadowed by incidents in the U.S. On the flip side, Niel Avendano, a Canadian in Toronto who lived in Texas for 20 years, says Canadians often assume that the U.S. is just the worst of what is seen on the nightly news, without any nuance.
Living next to the neighbor with the “10,000-square-foot house” compared with your “1,500-square-foot house” can also lend itself to outsize expectations, Mr. Avendano says. He is not surprised that a country a tenth of the size of the U.S. isn’t a leader on the world stage, and Canadians can have a “complex” for not being an economic, military, or diplomatic force. “Israel is not a world leader. Australia is not a world leader. Why is it we expect Canada can be?”
And despite a harsh third wave, Canadians remain firm in acknowledging that that shouldn’t take away all that Canada has done right, while the U.S. fights culture wars around the pandemic. Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, says the pandemic has not been politicized like it has in the U.S. “I think Canadians can be too smug about themselves,” he argues, “but on the other hand, it is objectively the case that our society is, at the present time, more sane, more coherent, and just more together.”
 “… our society is, at the present time, more sane, more coherent, and just more together.”
By Pepper Parr
April 16th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
A number of years ago, when the Halton District School Board found itself having to closes some of the high schools we had citizens who were prepared to march on city hall to vent their frustration.
 The plan to close high schools in 2014 didn’t go quite the way originally planned – parent protests resulted in a much different decision. The center of the anger was Central High School, one of the schools on the first list of recommended schools to close.
The people at Central did not let than happen – and the school is still open and in the months ahead they just might get air conditioning that would make life a lot easier for both students and teachers.
The next battle for parents will not be with the school board – the province has taken steps that threaten education as we have known it in Ontario to go through a radical change.
Set out below are a number of slides from a deck that was presented to a group of people at the Ministry of Education. We do not have a list of just who attended – but we are able to see just what it was they were considering.
Parents need to pay very close attention to this initiative.
We note with regret that there hasn’t been a word from the MPP for Burlington, Jane McKenna,
 Note the name of the committee – and the date on which they met. Note the date -mere weeks ago.
Here is what they are setting out to do.
 That is a pretty aggressive time line – what’s the rush? Note even a mention as to when parents might be asked for their views. The province will just make an announcement, pobably on the Friday of a long weekend – which is when the really hard news gets released.
The province sets out what they will have to do legislatively to make this possible.
 This puts the school boards out of business – the province would centralize the content and have third parties deliver it via the internet. What can parents do? Do what they did when the school board wanted to close Central high school. Protest, let the MPP and the Ministry of Education know that you are not on for this.
If you are on for this – just sit back, watch what the government decides to do – and kiss one of the best educational systems in the world goodbye.
Links to related news items.
The full presentation presented to Ministry of Education
What parent groups and academics think of the idea – and the consequences i this goes forward.
 By Lana Parker
April 16, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite the lack of data documenting benefits to children, and emerging evidence of several drawbacks and harms, the Ontario government is discussing making full-time online schooling a permanent “choice” in public education.
This idea is being introduced without adequate research, and stands to become the latest measure that raises inequality and threatens the viability of education as a public good.
The Globe and Mail obtained an Ontario Ministry of Education presentation dated March 22, 2021, detailing the prospect of continued virtual learning after the COVID-19 pandemic. The province aims to partner with TVO to offer “fully independent online learning” for “Ontario and out-of-province secondary students” and also mentions continuing “synchronous remote learning” for elementary students.
The proposal coincides with apparent plans to continue to help fund Ontario education by selling curriculum abroad. In 2015, Ontario reported it had agreements with 19 international private schools that pay the province to deliver the Ontario curriculum.
Unpacking the known harms
 While the COVID-19 environment has produced unique challenges, many of the greatest difficulties for young people have been associated with the forced shift out of schools and into online learning. Online learning does not replace the complex, relationship-oriented learning and social environment in schools.
Fully online learning has had consequences for mental health, with increased feelings of social isolation. There have also been challenges to physical health, as youth grappled with a lack of physical activity and deteriorating eyesight. Even among older youth learners, motivation and engagement prove difficult to sustain online, with a higher potential for dropping out and worse outcomes for disadvantaged students.
Despite the negative outcomes associated with full-time online study for youth and without sufficient data to support its rationale, the Ontario government is introducing an unasked for “choice” that would set a detrimental precedent for public education.
More screen time?
Some might argue that getting students comfortable with online technologies prepares them for future study and the workforce. In my research on youth literacy and online engagement, however, I explore how student proficiency in navigating technology should not be mistaken for understanding complex information.
 My work is part of a wider body of emerging research that examines how students make sense of the online environment — and how being online affects their literacy skills, including their capacities to form critical questions and navigate misinformation and disinformation.
I have also determined that literacy learning can be strengthened when students and teachers explore the emotional implications of contentious issues in a classroom community. In other words, leaving students alone in front of screens for even more of their already online-immersed day does not improve their critical thinking or engagement.
 For adolescents, learning online doesn’t replace in-person interactions with teachers, other students and community members. These interactions, far from superficial or inconsequential, are at the heart of how students learn well. In the pandemic, many teachers have voiced concerns about how an online environment hampers their ability to tailor learning and to support their students with the full range of strategies that are available in the classroom.
Yet another worrying aspect is the risk to student privacy. There is ongoing concern about how tech companies may be gaining unprecedented insight into children’s lives and how data may be used.
There are also issues of tech monopolies that muddy the line between public education and private enterprise.
Generating revenue
Students have opportunities to engage with online learning in Ontario’s current framework. There is no need to introduce compulsory online courses or the option of full-time online learning.
With all the issues implied by full-time online learning, why would Ontario consider making this a permanent feature of public education? Before the pandemic, in February 2020, the government .
In a confidential Ontario government document written sometime between March and August 2019 and obtained by the Toronto Star, the current Ford government detailed a plan to dovetail cuts to school board funding with the opportunity to “to develop (a) business model to make available and market Ontario’s online learning system to out-of-province and international students.” It is telling that the document did not foreground the benefits of full-time online learning for students.
The reasons for this shift can be attributed to the ongoing drive to privatize public education through the twin aims of reducing costs and generating new revenue. The 2019 document also mentioned examining “feasible options for selling licensing rights to courses/content to other jurisdictions.”
Curriculum sales
The current discussions should be seen in the context of Ontario’s drive to create revenue streams through international student tuition and sales of curriculum to international schools.
Ontario’s March 22 proposal for online schooling describes a plan to develop curriculum and offer an education with little teacher support.
This “business plan” follows Minister of Education Stephen Lecce announcing the appointment of a former CFL commisioner to the role of TVO’s CEO. TVO’s website has been recently retooled to include an emphasis on “digital learning.”
Potential future harms
For children, fully online learning creates the conditions for further educational inequality. It is a particular risk for children with special education needs.
It can also produce unintended consequences: a recent study based in Ecuador showed female students working online were more likely to spend time doing housework than their male counterparts. It is not unimaginable that some families could select online schooling for their children so they could help with household work, care for family members and potentially supplement family income by entering the labour market earlier. The move also risks limiting opportunities for extra-curricular socialization and learning, including experiences with the arts and sports.
Once poorly researched educational policy comes into practice, it is difficult to undo irrespective of data that details its harms. Such has been the case with the introduction of standardized testing in Ontario, which marginalizes newcomers and students with exceptionalities, and encourages a narrow curriculum.
Over time, a policy of “choice” for full-time online schooling weakens public education by diluting in-person opportunities for students and eroding funding. An impoverished public system drives families into private schools, which further erodes the public good. Defunding and marketization will leave public education in a race to the bottom.
Background links:
Expanding student access to on line and remote learning – the provincial government agenda
Toronto reveals secret provincial government report about on-line learning –
Laura Parker is an Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor
By Staff
April 15th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North Burlington brings some good news for the educators and their students:
$656.5 million dollars in funding to upgrade Ontario’s schools to make them safer for kids and teachers. Over $26 million dollars will be provided to schools in Halton Region to foster a safe and healthy environment for our valued educators, students, parents, and school staff.
 MP Pam Damoff speaking with a constituent in her Oakville office “The wellbeing of our community is of the utmost importance as we continue the fight against COVID-19.
“This investment is being made jointly with the provincial government through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, with 80% of the funding from our government” explained Damoff who added that: ” The majority of the funding will support ventilation projects that improve air quality in classrooms.
 Students at Central High would be mighty pleased to see air conditioning installed. Additional projects include installing water bottle refilling stations to improve access to safe drinking water, investing in network and broadband infrastructure to support remote learning, and space reconfigurations such as new walls and doors to enhance physical distancing.”
The students at Central high school will watch with some anticipation to learn if their school is going to see some air conditioning equipment. Climate change and the need to circulate air in schools built decades ago is no longer something nice to have.
 By Julie Hunt Gibbons
April 15th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Many of the challenges of this pandemic have been solved through the use of technology. The tools of technology have allowed the world of work to continue from a safe distance. Education in Canada has been no different.
Last year’s March – June shut down in elementary, secondary, and post secondary in Ontario was facilitated by the use of online learning, both synchronous and asynchronous, through a host of different learning management systems and educational platforms and applications. This year our provincial public health challenges have varied by population and demographic and we have used technology to respond accordingly.
 Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education Here in Halton, and the surrounding GTHA, students have experienced a variety of synchronous and asynchronous fully online and hybrid learning models in response to the need for student cohorting and swells in Covid-19 numbers. The recent pandemic response, coupled with decades of technological innovation and growing use, have led many people to cite technology as the panacea for educational change in this province and around the globe. They would do well to read Justin Reich’s latest book, Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education” (2020).
Reich does not base his claims on recent pandemic events. In fact, he wrote this book prior to the onslaught of COVID-19 and points out that the supposedly transformative educational technology of the past decade has done little to revolutionize learning. He debunks claims such as:
Harvard Business School’s 2009 claim by Clay Christensen that predicted that half of all American secondary school courses would be online by 2019,
Sal Khan’s claim that Khan Academy videos would reinvent education,
Sebastian Thrun of Udacity’s claim that in 50 years we’d have only 10 institutions of higher education in the world as a result of the success of massive open online courses (MOOCs).
Sugata Mitra’s claim that students no longer need schools or teachers as groups of children with access to the internet could teach themselves anything.
Computers will be part of classrooms – but they will not replace classroom teachers. Reich addresses MOOCs, autograders, computerized “intelligent tutors,” and widely adopted popular educational software in-depth and traces their hype, their potential,and their ultimate shortcomings. According to Reich, despite their economic success in making their creators wealthy, their benefit has been to primarily wealthy students and they have done little, if anything, to combat growing inequalities in education. Thus this has not been “true innovation” and has not radically changed the educational system in any way. Rather these tools have been adapted, tested, used or not used by educators within the system.
Technology does, and will, continue to play a crucial role in the future of education but as nothing more than a tool for classroom experimentation and the expansion of educators’ pedagogical toolkits.
None of this should come as a surprise; the pandemic has evidenced extreme growth in the use of educational technology, but the key lesson of our online learning experiments in a pandemic have been that there is a want and need for human interaction. Educators have the uniquely human skills to engage (or not engage) students. Education is at its essence a human skill and human pursuit. Change and improvement to education must come from human iterations. There is no magic technological wand.
I join Reich in his confidence that when we take stock of the education our schools provided in our schools during the pandemic, we will see evidence of many new technological classroom and teaching strategies reflective of staff learning and the practicing of technological skills. These are valuable skills and our schools can and should build on them, continuing the process of learning how to teach, learn, and use our digital tools more effectively. Educational improvement is a journey, not a destination and technology can shape and accelerate this journey but technology alone cannot transform education.
 HDSB Superintendent Julie Hunt Gibbons
Julie Hunt Gibbons Halton District School Board Superintendent of Secondary Program & Student Success, North West Oakville Family of Schools was a part of the team that created the iStem courses that began at the Aldershot High school.
Julie was born in Ottawa, graduated from TA Blakelock in Oakville then attended: University of Western Ontario | B.A. Hon. | Sociology and Political Science; University of Windsor | MA. | Sociology (Socio-legal Studies) and University of Toronto |B.Ed. |Intermediate and Senior qualifications
Julie didn’t intend to be a teacher. She did a Masters in Sociology (Socio-legal studies) thinking it would be a good stepping stone to Law School. It was while working as a Teaching Assistant that she fell in love with teaching.
By Pepper Parr
April 15th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
A number of weeks ago I heard a CBC interview about a book that talked about the concept of disruption and education.
Disruption has bitten deeply into retail markets and has all but killed local newspapers.
Uber turned the taxi business upside down.
The Ontario government is now thinking about disrupting education and teaching both elementary and high school students on-line.
Halton District School Board Superintendent Julie Hunt Gibbons, who will be retiring in June after a long career as a teacher, did a review of Failure to Disrupt: Why technology alone cannot transform education
Her review led us to changes the provincial government is actively pursuing.
The Hunt Gibbons interview appears in the Gazette today – the scoop on what the provincial government appears to be planning will be in the paper on Friday.
Here is a glimpse of what the government is discussing internally at the Ministry of Education.
The full report will be published on Friday.
A portion of the documents being used by Ministry of Education Consultation group.
By Staff
April 12th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has made the difficult decision to move elementary and secondary schools to remote learning following the April break. This move has been made in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants, and the massive spike in hospital admissions.
Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, and Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health.
 Medical professionals are being pushed beyond the limits – with triage decisions possible in the weeks ahead. “We are seeing a rapidly deteriorating situation with a record number of COVID cases and hospital admissions threatening to overwhelm our health care system,” said Premier Ford. “As I have always said we will do whatever it takes to ensure everyone stays safe. By keeping kids home longer after spring break we will limit community transmission, take pressure off our hospitals and allow more time to rollout our COVID-19 vaccine plan.”
With appropriate measures in place, schools have been safe places for learning throughout the pandemic, as confirmed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health and local medical officers of health and have demonstrated low rates of in-school transmission. However, increasing rates of community spread pose a threat to the health and safety of school communities. As a result, all publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools in the province are to move to teacher-led remote learning when students return from the April break on April 19, 2021.
Classrooms will remain empty – for how long? Depends on how well the public learns to listen. Private schools operating in-person this week are to transition to remote learning by April 15, 2021. This action is being taken in support of the Government’s broader efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. Data will be assessed on an ongoing basis and health officials will be consulted to determine when it will be safe to resume in-person learning.
Child care for non-school aged children will remain open, before and after school programs will be closed and free emergency child care for the school-aged children of eligible health care and frontline workers will be provided. To protect the most vulnerable, boards will make provisions for continued in-person support for students with special education needs who require additional support that cannot be accommodated through remote learning.
“This was not a decision we made lightly, as we know how critical schools are to Ontario students. Our priority has always been to keep schools open, however sharply rising community transmission can put our schools and Ontario families at risk,” said Minister Lecce. “While Ontario’s plan has kept schools safe, as confirmed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, we are taking decisive and preventative action today to ensure students can safely return to learning in our schools.”
Case rates, hospitalizations, and ICU occupancy are increasing rapidly, threatening to overwhelm the health care system. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the province have increased by 22.1 per cent between the period of April 4 and 10, 2021.
In addition, during this same period of time, Ontario has seen
the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care increase from 494 to 605.
Since April 8, the province has been under a provincewide Stay-at-Home order, requiring everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise with your household in your home community, or for work that cannot be done remotely. As Ontario’s health care capacity is threatened, the Stay-at-Home order, and other new and existing public health and workplace safety measures, will work to preserve public health system capacity, safeguard vulnerable populations, allow for progress to be made with vaccinations and save lives.
 One has to wonder how much longer Doug Ford can get up every day and continue to tell the people that he is doing everything he can and pleading with people to say home as he watches the numbers of infections rise. With students moving to remote learning, vaccine prioritization of education workers who provide direct support to students with special education needs across the province, and all education workers in select hot spot areas, starting with Peel and Toronto, will continue. Starting today, special education workers across the province and education workers in Peel and Toronto hot spots will be eligible to register for vaccination by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1 833 943 3900. More information is available at Ontario.ca/covidvaccine.
It is critically important that as Ontarians receive the vaccine, everyone continues to wear a mask, maintain physical distancing when outside of their immediate household and frequently wash their hands. As well, continue to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if symptoms are present.
“As we continue to see rapid growth in community transmission across the province, it is necessary to take extra precautions and measures to ensure the continued health and safety of students, teachers and their families,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “As the fight against this third wave of the pandemic continues, everyone must continue following all public health and workplace safety measures and stay at home to prevent further transmission of the virus, so we can once again resume in person learning in our schools.”
 Minister of Education: Stephen Lecce Steven Del Duca, the Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party who has yet to earn a seat in the Legislature said in a prepared statement that: “Just yesterday, Minister Lecce wrote to parents telling them that all publicly funded schools would remain open after the April Break. One day later, Doug Ford is closing them for weeks. The in-fighting between Doug Ford and his education minister is putting our children and education workers at risk, and Lecce should be fired for it.”
“It’s time for Doug Ford to adopt our Ontario Liberal plan, which includes capping class sizes at 15, investing in urgent repairs to ventilation in classrooms, and vaccinating all education workers over the April Break so that schools can be safe and stay open for good after this closure. It’s time to end Doug Ford’s chaos once and for all by making schools safe.”
And doesn’t Doug Ford wish that it was that easy.
By Justin Weinger
April 8th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
For almost a decade now, people have been toying with the idea of paying with Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrencies, instead of cash or credit card. However, with Bitcoin’s rise to fame in the past 12 months, this may be more than just wishful thinking in the near future. That’s right, just like cryptocurrencies have caught on with investors, they may very soon catch on with everyone else.
Thus, the question remaining is not ‘if’, but rather ‘when’, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether; Litecoin, and the rest are going to become a popular and accepted payment method – and when the revolution is expected to reach the greater Toronto area. Well, we’ve got some good news and some bad news for you in that sense.
 Bitcoin’s rise to fame in the past 12 months. Reasons for optimism
Cryptocurrency has been around for a long time, but only in 2009, with the invention of Bitcoin, did it become more than just a game for geeks. Slowly but steadily, Bitcoin gained popularity, and subsequently its rate increased. The big boom came in 2020, when investors had been looking for venues not hit by COVID-19 and its financial consequences. The charts don’t lie – Bitcoin’s rate has reached more than 12 times what it had been just a year ago, and other cryptos haven’t done so terribly either during the same time period.
This has granted cryptocurrencies public awareness – a stepping stone to institutionalization. Today you can see crypto exchanges and even ATMs, so why not accept them at stores and restaurants as well? Ray Glover from the world-renowned investment firm CreditEUBank, which offers cryptocurrency trade in Canada, shared his thoughts on the matter with us.
 The future is literally in your hands. “Cryptocurrency is catching on, and Bitcoin is a good example of that. Did you know that around the world, some branches of fast-food chains like Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, and even Subway, accept payments in Bitcoin? I believe that it’s only a matter of time till it becomes widespread – and I’m talking about less time than you probably think.”
But wait, there’s a catch
Just like with any other technology in history, change is going to take time. You know what they say – Rome wasn’t built in a day. It’s probably going to start off in big metropolitan areas, and be used by wealthier populations first, just like back when credit cards and ATMs were a new thing. This may be good news for you if you reside in the greater Toronto area, or even in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor.
The matter also depends on initiative. Mega shops and restaurant chains accepting Bitcoin is a nice thing, but the real change must come from the small, local shops like your grocer, butcher and ice cream vendor. The key word here is perception: If cryptocurrency is seen as a legitimate payment method, its popularity will rise faster. The authorities in Canada have already legalized it as a payment method, and now it’s up to the simple man and woman to do the same.
In the meantime
There is an option to take advantage of the rising popularity of Bitcoin and its peers. Online brokers like CreditEUBank offer trading services on popular and promising cryptocurrencies, which means anyone can learn how this market works. The investments are done on a CFD (cost for difference) basis, bringing two great advantages for traders. Firstly, you do not need to own any crypto coin. You invest on its value, and you earn according to it.
 Driving the markets crazy. Secondly, CFD trading also makes it possible to profit off of a cryptocurrency’s decrease in value. All you need to do is project the direction in which the asset is going. Since CreditEUBank has over 15 years of experience in the field of online trading, as well as other sectors such as private debt, VC and private equity, this is a broker which can be trusted with providing the necessary tools to trade wisely.
Bottom line
Winds of change are definitely being felt. Whether we like it or not, cryptocurrency (and especially Bitcoin) is going to become an acceptable and widely used financial transaction method in the near future. We’re talking about a whole lot of new possibilities here, and an advantageous situation for anyone who wants to embrace this new technology. Luckily, CreditEUBank and other brokers can assist in this process.
 By Staff
March 29th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The strain from the restrictions on what we can and cannot do while we weather ourselves through this pandemic are beginning to show.
The warm weather is going to attract all kinds of outside activity – and dinner at an outdoor patio – but only with people in your household – who are probably the last people you want to dine with – you’ve been cooped up with them for months.
The Halton District School Board is hosting two Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for Parents/Guardians on Monday, March 29 and Tuesday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at www.hdsb.ca.
 Tuesday, March 30 session will be for families with high school students Discussion will include parent, child and youth mental health and well-being, ways in which parents/guardians can support their children, and resources available for youth and families. Each session will feature four panelists (parents, mental health experts, HDSB school social workers and community partners) who will share their experiences of parenting during COVID-19 and provide helpful information and resources.
The information session on Monday, March 29 will include information for parents/guardians of elementary students (Kindergarten – Grade 8) and the session on Tuesday, March 30 will include information for parents/guardians of secondary students (Grade 9 – 12).
These sessions will help parents/guardians learn about:
• How the pandemic may be impacting their, child’s, mental health and well-being
• Coping and well-being strategies for them and their children to support better mental health and well-being
• Resources and support available through their child’s school and within the community
Elementary Session: Monday, March 29 from 7 – 8:15 p.m. at www.hdsb.ca
Presenters:
• Noorie Soni, HDSB parent and PIC member
• Kim Menezes-Francispillai, School Social Worker, HDSB
• Shivani Patel, Lead, Access and System Navigation, Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)
• Nathan Pillai, Clinical Psychologist, Bayridge Counselling Centre
Secondary Session: Tuesday, March 30 from 7 – 8:15 p.m. at www.hdsb.ca
Presenters:
• Darlene Wierski-Devoe, Parent and Program Supervisor, Halton Families for Families
• Melinda Dougan, School Social Worker, HDSB
• Shivani Patel, Lead, Access and System Navigation, Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)
• Nicole Callander RSSW, Therapist, Bayridge Counselling Centre
 Session will have information for parents/guardians of elementary students (Kindergarten – Grade 8) and the session on Monday March 29th.
The sessions will be livestreamed through the HDSB YouTube channel. Parents/guardians can visit www.hdsb.ca at 7 p.m. on March 29 and/or March 30 to tune in. Registration is not required.
The HDSB is planning additional information sessions for parents/guardians on specific mental health & well-being topics to take place in the spring. The Board’s new Mental Health & Well-Being webpage has information for parents/guardians and students on mental health, ways to support positive mental health and well-being and how to get additional support at school and in the community.
 By Staff
March 24th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Millions of Canadians want to know — of the four COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada — which one is the best one? Numbers and statistics are flying around and it’s fair to have a lot of other questions.
Are the Moderna and Pfizer shots really the ‘Cadillac’ of vaccines? Is the AstraZeneca shot effective? Does it matter which vaccine you get? We explain what vaccine efficacy really means and why comparing them is like comparing “apples to oranges”, the real differences between the ‘jabs’ and why out of all the numbers, 100% is the big one to focus on.
CLICK HERE for an excellent report on just what all that medical means. (When you get to the link, scroll down for the podcast.) It runs for 15 minutes but you will leave knowing a lot more and have fewer questions.
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