When the pandemic started, the #bced partners came together to help the #bcpoli government develop a 5-stage framework for safe schools. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/covid-19-safe-schools/five-stages-framework That framework hasn’t been updated since July and there's no plan for switching stages. That’s a problem. Thread 1/5

Since September, the vast majority of #bced schools have been at Stage 2. That means full-time in-class instruction without capacity to maintain physical distance in most classrooms. Masks only became mandatory in grades 4-12 last week, 9 months into the restart. #bcpoli 2/5

Many #bced teachers and education workers are still waiting for ventilation upgrades. All of this at a time when variants of concern are rapidly spreading in many communities. When can a district move to a different Stage? The #bcpoli government has not outlined any plan. 3/5

It’s time for the #bcpoli government to work with #bced partners to develop plans for districts to move between Stages on a regional level. When community spread is out of control, it makes sense for schools to move to at least Stage 3. That means 50% density, hybrid learning 4/5

Dr. Henry has said BC is a month behind Ontario in its battle against COVID variants. Ontario’s largest districts are now closing schools, moving to online learning. If #bcpoli wants to avoid that in #bced, we need to act. We need a regional approach to switching stages. 5/5