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Labour Update

THURSDAY, NOV. 3, 2022

We want to confirm that, further to the updates shared earlier this week, all Grand Erie schools will be closed to students tomorrow, Friday November 4.

We acknowledge the impact this will have on families. The health and safety of students is our number one priority. 

As we expect Grand Erie’s 920 CUPE staff to participate in tomorrow’s strike action, in-person learning cannot operate safely.  

All Grand Erie in-person students will move to independent/remote learning activities for Friday, November 4. Schools will be open to Teachers, DECEs and Professional Support Services staff.

Teachers will reach out to their students with information on accessing independent/remote learning activities. You can find out more information on remote learning on Grand Erie’s website.

It will not impact ongoing virtual or elearning instruction, or programs that are run out of facilities other than Grand Erie schools, including students who participate in off-site learning programs through GELA, NATIONS/New Start programs, or employer-based co-op programs. 

Any graduation events scheduled for Friday, Nov. 4 or Saturday, Nov. 5 will proceed as planned.

All school-based before and after care programs will be closed as well. Only childcare programs with their own custodial services will continue to operate, namely:

  • YMCA Daycare – Central Public School
  • Maawdoo Maajaamin Child Care – Hagersville Secondary School
  • Today's Family – Lakewood Public School
  • Brantford Little School – Pauline Johnson C&VS

Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room

Elgin Avenue Public School welcomed staff, students and community to the Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

 

On hand for this special occasion was Chair of the Board Carol Ann Sloat, Trustee Rita Collver and Superintendent Liana Thompson as well as several members of the community that contributed to the fundraising, and Elgin staff members.

Allie Richardson (teacher of students with autism), Lori Minarik (EA working with students with autism) and Samantha Nicholson (Principal) worked together for over three and a half years to fundraise for this $30,000 project. The Elgin community, parents, local charities and the Grand Erie District School Board all came together to make this project a huge success.

A Snoezelen Room is a multi-sensory environment that provides a controlled, safe, relaxing space for individuals with a variety of sensory needs. The room is set up to give individuals a positive space where they can meet their specific needs in a calming atmosphere. This atmosphere helps in reducing fear, anxieties, repetitive behaviour, self-abusive behaviour and aggressive behaviour so that students are better able to learn. Students at Elgin in both self-contained classes and in the regular classes will be able to access the room to help meet their sensory needs.

According to Seth, a student who accesses the room daily, “It is the best room ever!!!”