All-day school schedules

By the way, you guys should really start having these conversations in real life. Most people don't have the slightest clue what's actually going on; the media just serves up these sensationalized crumbs that aren't even accurate when it comes to things like hourly wages (you only need to watch a documentary to see that)

It honestly warmed my heart to see a teacher sitting down with her students to discuss this 🙏 🙏 🙏
and making sure to ask for their input, too.
I really wish more teachers would open up these dialogues with their kids.
Even those high school teachers should be doing the same.

Susan James said:Just handing it out to cousins and buddies through rigged school procurement contracts.🤷
They could easily find ways to squeeze out every last penny.😬

Quincy:

The funding is designated for projects that don't require building permits, including: expanding and equipping the existing school kitchen expanding and equipping the existing cafeteria renovating and furnishing extra space for after-school programs adding equipment to classrooms, labs, and vocational workshops to support educational programs upgrading teacher workspaces and faculty lounges renovating and upgrading school playgrounds or gymnasiums updating and improving existing restrooms improving HVAC and air conditioning systems throughout the school furnishing multi-purpose rooms.

No, no. If they haven't realized by now that the other group is just straight-up skimming funds from the federal government, then—forgive my bluntness—they’re just plain stupid. I mean, it’s not like the Department of Justice opened an office here for no reason.

Susan James said:By the way, you guys should really start having these conversations in real life. Most people don't have the slightest clue what's actually going on; the media just serves up these sensationalized crumbs that aren't even accurate when it comes to things like hourly wages (you only need to watch a documentary to see that)

It honestly warmed my heart to see a teacher sitting down with her students to discuss this 🙏 🙏 🙏
and making sure to ask for their input, too.
I really wish more teachers would open up these dialogues with their kids.
Even those high school teachers should be doing the same.

I was just asking my little girl what she thought about having classes all day long—you know, trying to engage her—and she just gave me this look. A total deadpan stare. Then she tells me that it probably wasn't any easier on us than it was on them... and that for the kids, things are only going to get worse from here. I guess she’s got a point, though. Maybe I should have just stayed quiet.

I mean, honestly, there is zero chance this thing actually works within the next ten years. That's being generous, assuming they don't just scrap the whole idea entirely by then.

Just look at how our school system handles things... it's a mess.
It's been five years now—we're hitting that mark this November—since those Special Education Regulations were finally released. And if you look at the actual regulation itself...

(1) To request the entry of an occupational standard into the Occupational Standard Subregister pursuant to Article 9, paragraph 6 of this regulation, the department shall submit such a request within six months of the date this regulation takes effect.

(2) Regarding the qualification standards mentioned in Article 9, paragraph 7 of this regulation, the department will establish them within three months after the occupational standard is entered into the Occupational Standard Subregister.

(3) The program for acquiring qualifications described in Article 9, paragraph 8 of this regulation shall be developed by the department within three months from the date the qualification standards from Article 9, paragraph 7 are established.

So, do you really think anything has actually been resolved in these last five years?
Everyone was making such a big deal about how we were finally "systematically fixing" the field. We have a regulation now!! Big deal. And then... nothing. Just total silence. They can't even blame the pandemic, because, I don't know, people had plenty of time to get moving before everything went sideways.

here’s a little from my teacher’s lounge corner about all the messups in the Bureau of Statistics plan—where things don't quite add up and how we might actually fix them.

Great read!
It’s such a shame they didn't reiterate in those final points that being a homeroom teacher should be worth way more than the 10% direct base pay rate we're seeing now. I'm out here looking for anyone willing to take on the extra responsibility, and there isn't a single candidate in sight. Meanwhile, these geniuses are thinking about slashing it down to a measly 2.5% supplemental bonus.
The online public comment period is just a formality. I'm convinced nothing is actually going to change.
By autumn, they realized they could sell us out for $83. They’ll just keep walking all over us. The union leadership mostly stays silent or puts out these forced, hollow statements while the grassroots level goes absolutely nuts. It's a very telling pattern.

Well written. The issue is that when revolutions happen, reality itself takes the hit. This might gain a little traction, or nothing at all.

Patrick Taylor9 said:Great read!
It’s such a shame they didn't reiterate in those final points that being a homeroom teacher should be worth way more than the 10% direct base pay rate we're seeing now. I'm out here looking for anyone willing to take on the extra responsibility, and there isn't a single candidate in sight. Meanwhile, these geniuses are thinking about slashing it down to a measly 2.5% supplemental bonus.
The online public comment period is just a formality. I'm convinced nothing is actually going to change.
By autumn, they realized they could sell us out for $83. They’ll just keep walking all over us. The union leadership mostly stays silent or puts out these forced, hollow statements while the grassroots level goes absolutely nuts. It's a very telling pattern.

Homeroom duties are double the work. Also, we're known globally for our athletic achievements. But when they try to cram all extracurricular activities into the window after 5 PM, and local sports clubs don't have the capacity to take everyone in that timeframe because, well, you can't just conjure up more pools, soccer fields, or tennis courts with a magic formula, this reform is going to hurt our international sporting reputation in the long run.

Sarah Hall53 said:here’s a little from my teacher’s lounge corner about all the messups in the Bureau of Statistics plan—where things don't quite add up and how we might actually fix them.

Solid read. Personally, I’m against one-shift schooling. Think about it: plenty of people in tourism, retail, or hospitality work afternoon shifts, and music schools or local sports leagues run on two-shift schedules too.

What’s the deal with music and dance schools when you're stuck in a full-day school schedule? Did anyone actually give that any thought? Does anyone here know how they manage to make that work in Canada?

Thomas Sanchez30 said:What’s the deal with music and dance schools when you're stuck in a full-day school schedule? Did anyone actually give that any thought? Does anyone here know how they manage to make that work in Canada?

These are the kinds of questions that need to be asked in the right circles.

It seems like the Secretary and those pushing for full-day schooling think the negative feedback—over a thousand comments on the public consultation—is just because they cut back on computer science hours. 🤦

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they suddenly bumped it back up to two hours just to claim parents and teachers were the ones asking for it, all while making the school day even longer.
The way the Secretary is spinning this to mislead the public is just terrible.

Susan James said:It seems like the Secretary and those pushing for full-day schooling think the negative feedback—over a thousand comments on the public consultation—is just because they cut back on computer science hours. 🤦

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they suddenly bumped it back up to two hours just to claim parents and teachers were the ones asking for it, all while making the school day even longer.
The way the Secretary is spinning this to mislead the public is just terrible.

Unlikely. If he actually bothered to read the feedback, especially the statement from the Psychological Association of America—where they backed up every single point with actual psychological research—he’d see it isn't just about computer science.
Our union rep thinks the whole curriculum was basically built "by order from above."

I wonder if they’re actually making any effort to address questions about child development, arts programs, or all those other lingering uncertainties?

So Fuchs is claiming kids will only be in school until 3 PM for two days a week, and then until 2:15 PM the rest of the time.
Is he actually lying through his teeth, or is the media just twisting his words?

Honestly, they’re lying through their teeth here. Just take a look at the actual documentation—it says everything loud and clear. For elementary school kids, staying until 2:00 PM is mandatory, and once you hit middle school, it’s at least 3:30 PM. It’s right there in black and white.

Sarah Hall53 said:Honestly, they’re lying through their teeth here. Just take a look at the actual documentation—it says everything loud and clear. For elementary school kids, staying until 2:00 PM is mandatory, and once you hit middle school, it’s at least 3:30 PM. It’s right there in black and white.

I can't be bothered to slog through the whole manual, but I know you guys actually bother with the fine print.

Look, a 2:00 PM dismissal isn't the end of the world. But those subject-specific schedules? Total nonsense. In the middle of winter, kids will basically be walking home in the pitch black before they even get a chance to grab a snack. Not to mention trying to squeeze in homework and sports practice. I really feel for these kids.

Sarah Hall53 said:Honestly, they’re lying through their teeth here. Just take a look at the actual documentation—it says everything loud and clear. For elementary school kids, staying until 2:00 PM is mandatory, and once you hit middle school, it’s at least 3:30 PM. It’s right there in black and white.

It doesn't make sense. Why would middle schoolers be stuck at school? They're older kids now; they don't need someone babysitting them.

I mean, we basically keep them trapped in school for at least several hours more than kids in World Bank countries—which isn't even a group we belong to, by the way.
You know what they say about not looking a gift horse in the mouth...

Sarah Hall53 said:I mean, we basically keep them trapped in school for at least several hours more than kids in World Bank countries—which isn't even a group we belong to, by the way.
You know what they say about not looking a gift horse in the mouth...

Fair point, but our athletic reputation is better than most World Bank countries, and that won't happen if kids are stuck in class all day—let alone with a single-shift schedule.