It’s Saturday before we start back to school & I acknowledge how different things need to be during a global pandemic. But, let me tell you, as teacher for 3 decades, this doesn’t just feel different. This feels wrong. Like spider senses tingling, pit in stomach wrong. #bced /1

My duty is to the well-being of my students. I feel I have done right by them over the decades. Taught them as best I could, stayed on top of my pro-d, honed my craft, provided enrichment opportunities, nudged, cajoled, listened, felt. Been there. You know what I mean? #bced /2

There is no profession so connected to others as teaching. None. I’ve taken students on trips, helped in tight spots, passed tissue box as they hurt, laughed with them in class until I almost peed, been to weddings & sadly some funerals. This is why we are such #bced warriors. /3

There are certain aspects of this #bced “plan” I can handle. I’m pretty open to change in general. Just got my schedule this Friday? No problem. Units not done up? Okay (ish). Stand & deliver? Plug my nose & go. New quarter system, cool cool. Completely revamp courses, on it. /4

But in school this week doing set-up, rejigging, trying to configure to keep my students safe, removing what furniture I can, I am gutted. This is a Tetris that will not work. There is no configuration where I can keep students distanced, safe. Restaurants can, I cannot. #bced /5

It’s Friday, staff is back on Tuesday. I stare at decaying mouse that has been on floor for over a week. Garbage from last week still in can. Directional signs from June taken down. Room capacity signs removed. So much for all the “lessons” we were supposed to learn from June? /6

I close my eyes & envision day. Entry lineups have no 2 metre markers. Oh wait, 1 metre for our children, right? All signs now wrong. Crowds. Teens not known for great personal space boundaries. Excited to see each other. Cross cohort chaos. The chatter I usually love. #bced /7

Students no longer have to wash hands upon entry. There was no sanitizer at entrance today but sure there will be again for Thurs? Bathrooms have no signage anymore. Caf not open. Where to eat? Rooms? Eating together, such important human act, will cause #COVID19 spread. #bced /8

Sending my two children back to this & we have had “the talk.” Have you had “the talk” with your children? Distance, mask at all times, sanitize, if you feel unsafe, have courage to remove yourself from situation, we will back you up. No sharing food, drink, supplies. #bced /9

For first time in my career, I feel dread. Wasn’t even bitter during CC years, because I knew what Liberals were all about. This is different. If I’m being really truthful here, I’m more than a little bit scared. It did not have to be this way. This #bced plan is not a plan. /10

We were forced to wait until July for @Rob_Fleming to give districts “plan.” It illuminated how little he knows about schools & #bced system he leads. We pushed. He added half-assed mask policy & ultimately off-loaded to districts with no time & little support. Dumpster fire. /11

Teachers are reminded about our duty of fidelity when we speak out but we keep going. Because my duty to keep students safe overrides any embarrassment stark truth might cause you. This #bced plan is 100% about economy & tracing & not about the safety of our children. Full stop.