As a parent of 2 in the @OCDSB, a daughter of a former teacher, and a @hwdsb graduate, a #SafeSeptember for my family and community starts with adequate funding and supports to ensure physical distancing can occur, enhanced cleaning (and enough staff to do it well and safely) 1

A funding formula that centres the needs of kids, respects the experience and professional expertise of educators and education workers, and meaningfully addresses the $16.3B backlog in deferred maintenance in ON schools 2

Protective equipment to keep staff and students and their families safe, and resources to support those who cannot return to school buildings in the fall, and recognition of the important role of schools as places of work, places of learning, and community hubs. 3

This cannot be done on the cheap—the stakes are far too high, and in addition to risking the physical and mental health of thousands will further reinforce inequity through a multi-tiered system. 4

Take the time to do it safely; spend the money to do it well; listen to educators & education workers to ensure it’s pedagogically sound; engage w/ communities to make it responsive; centre students’ needs to guarantee equity; provide PPE & necessary supplies to keep it safe. 5

We need scaled-UP funding to ensure ample resources are in place to meet the educational needs of all kids. We do not need to capitulate to a climate of manufactured scarcity and a scaled-BACK version of what public education is capable of doing for kids and communities. 6