Here's how you pick up student belongings from TVDSB schools
CBC News | Posted: May 29, 2020 1:31 PM | Last Updated: May 29, 2020
Curbside pickup will apply to elementary students. High schools students will have access to lockers
Does your child have sneakers in the hallway or a locker full of books and belongings? The Thames Valley District School Board is making plans to allow parents and students to safely pick them up.
The public board said Friday it expects elementary and high school students will be allowed to return to pick up personal items starting the week of June 8.
But there will be rules so physical distancing and hygiene protocols can be maintained.
"With almost 80,000 students and thousands of employees in 161 schools, retrieving personal belongings must be done in a careful manner that protects everyone's health and safety," said Mark Fisher, director of education.
Schools have been closed since March 13, the beginning of March Break, when the government locked down establishments and services, and for some time there was hope the school year might resume.
That hope was dashed May 19 with the province declaring it was too risky to send children and school staff back to class.
In a statement, the TVDSB said schools will contact parents to arrange a time to pick up student belongings. The board will also post schedules on its digital sites.
It will be primarily curbside pickup for elementary school students. High school kids will be allowed to go to their lockers to clean them out.
Teachers packing belongings
Much of the work of organizing elementary school items will fall to teachers and staff. The board said it is looking at having teachers bag items for curbside pickup.
The president of the Thames Valley Local of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, Craig Smith, said he's pleased that the board has agreed that teacher participation in the process is voluntary.
"So those that are comfortable and want to help out with this … have an opportunity to do so. Those who can't, because of underlying health conditions or exposure to COVID-19, are not expected to."
Smith said the union met with the elementary teachers to discuss the plan on Thursday, which essentially involves bagging and tagging of the belongings with the student's name.
"They go in, they do this [next week], and then the [following] week … other board personnel will ensure that those bags … are moved to the curbside, where they will be picked up by parents and guardians."
Smith said when performing their voluntary role in the schools, teachers will be released from their regular teaching duties.
Staff members will have access to collect their belongings the last week of June.