Labour Update

TUESDAY, NOV. 1, 2022

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has announced that their members will not be at work on Friday, November 4, 2022 across the Province of Ontario.  

CUPE represents more than 920 school board staff in Grand Erie, including Educational Assistants, Communicative Disorder Assistants, Food Technicians, Clerical (school and central board staff) Library Technicians, Information Technology staff and Custodial and Maintenance staff. They play a vital, daily role supporting student success, safety and the effective operations of our schools and facilities.

Given such a large number of potentially absent staff, should a strike or protest occur, it will not be possible to safely open and operate our schools.

If a full withdrawal of services occurs, all Grand Erie in-person students will move to independent/remote learning activities for Friday, November 4. Schools will not be open to students.  

It will not impact ongoing virtual or elearning instruction, or programs that are run out of facilities other than Grand Erie schools.

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.

If schools are closed, before and after care programs will be closed as well. Childcare programs with their own custodial services will continue to operate. A list is available below, and we will share this on social media as well. 

We acknowledge the impact this will have on families. The health and safety of students is our number one priority. We will continue to provide regular updates to families as more information becomes available.  

Thank you.

Childcare centres attached to schools that can remain open in the event of a strike/protest on Friday, Nov. 4

• 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

MPS learns about Ontario's role in the Underground Railroad

In honour of Black History month, Mt. Pleasant School welcomed a guest speaker, Mr. Michael Toby, to discuss Ontario's role in the Underground Railroad. Mr. Toby's unique presentation combined video, story telling and song to help students understand significance of the Underground Railroad. Students learned the role of music and song in guiding slaves towards the North. Students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we thank Mr. Toby for bringing his presentation to us.

Mustangs pledge their hands

Students and staff created individual handprints and contributed them to create this amazing piece of art. Each handprint is different and unique....kind of like our students! This month we celebrate our diversity.