Support for conventional school return is mixed among parents but strong support for key funding areas remains

Archives: OPSBA News Posts

  • Support for conventional school return is mixed among parents but strong support for key funding areas remains

    Toronto, July 16, 2020 – Today, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and Nanos Research released public polling data from June 23 to 28 regarding issues related to COVID-19 and public education, including, opening schools in September to in-person schooling, online distance learning, and funding. READ THE FULL OPSBA/NANOS POLLING REPORT Level of Comfort Returning to School More than…

  • Legislative Update – July 13, 2020

    Members of Provincial Parliament returned to Queen’s Park last week on July 6, 7 and 8. The current parliamentary calendar indicates sitting dates only for this week and next in July, with no dates scheduled for August, and MPPs returning on September 14, 2020. Bill 197, COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 This legislation was introduced…

  • OPSBA statement regarding the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act

    “We will be examining the details of today’s omnibus COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020, and discussing the proposed changes to the Education Act and its associated regulations, including Director of Education qualifications and Kindergarten to Grade 3 suspensions, with our member trustee working groups and expert staff, both within OPSBA and in school boards. OPSBA…

  • Legislative Update – June 29, 2020

    Members of Provincial Parliament returned to Queen’s Park on June 23 and 24. No new legislation was introduced. June 29 to July 3 is the Canada Day constituency week break and the house reconvenes on July 6, for the start of three-day sitting weeks. The current parliamentary calendar indicates sitting dates only for July, with…

  • Former OPSBA communications director helping to fight AIDS in Africa

    You can now own a limited edition of artist Jeffrey Sprang’s water-colour print of Stephen Lewis and help turn the tide of AIDS in Africa. All funds raised go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Prints are $100. Well-known artist and former OPSBA Director of Communications Jeffrey Sprang has fashioned likenesses of Mohammad Ali, Sidney Crosby,…

  • Winners of OPSBA’s Public Property Assessment Network Scholarship announced

    The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) is pleased to announce the five winners of its Public Property Assessment Network (PPAN) Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is being awarded to one recipient in each of OPSBA’s five regions, for three school years – 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22. Scholarship recipients are students of strong character, leadership skills…

  • Winners of the Public Property Assessment Network Scholarship announced

    The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) is pleased to announce the five winners of its Public Property Assessment Network (PPAN) Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is being awarded to one recipient in each of OPSBA’s five regions, for three school years – 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22. Scholarship recipients are students of strong character, leadership skills…

  • OPSBA statement regarding the release of the new elementary math curriculum

    “Improving student achievement in mathematics is complex. It needs to be done with consideration for ensuring that there are appropriate resources, that there is solid professional development, and that instruction is targeted to the unique needs of each student, along with other considerations. With regard to professional development, it is good to see there will…

  • Legislative Update – June 22, 2020

    Members of Provincial Parliament returned to Queen’s Park on June 16 and 17, and will also sit next on June 23. There was one new piece of legislation introduced (and passed), which was Bill 192, Protecting Small Business Act, 2020. The government moved to temporarily ban commercial tenant evictions during the pandemic. The bill would…

  • OPSBA statement regarding Ontario’s plans to reopen schools and the release of the Grants for Student Needs (GSN)

    “Following extensive discussions with the government and internal consultations with our members over the past few months, OPSBA provided a submission to the Ministry of Education with our feedback and comments about a return to school plan. It was encouraging to see that most of our concerns have been addressed in the framework released today…

  • OPSBA statement regarding new technology and mental health funding

    “Throughout the pandemic, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) has emphasized the need for increased investments in both technology and mental health supports. We were pleased to see the additional investments announced earlier today of $15 million in new classroom technology and $10 million to hire additional mental health workers to support students as…

  • Winners of the Ontario Public Student Trustee Scholarship announced

    The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and the Public Board Council of OSTA-AECO are pleased to announce the winners of the first ever Ontario Public Student Trustee Scholarship. This scholarship is based on an outstanding initiative accomplished during the student trustee’s term and how the initiative positively impacted the students in their board. Two scholarships,…