Hamilton schools begin massive reorganization as thousands opt for online learning

Today, Hamilton school boards begin the unprecedented step of reorganizing of staff and students with just over a week to go before school opens as thousands of families have opted for online learning.

It's a massive undertaking in a tiny window of time, but is the result of the boards adjusting staffing assignments made at the end of last school year to account for the number of students deciding on online learning as schools reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Administrators over the next two, three, four days will be moving classes, some to the remote day school ... by Friday of this week, almost all staff will know their assignments," Jamie Nunn, superintendent of human resources at Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, told CBC.

That means many educators will be forced to adjust to a new school, a new class or a new grade with just days of notice, and many students will be moved to new classes.

Normally, teachers know their class assignment no later than June.

"A lot of teachers spend their summer preparing for what's coming in the fall," Jeff Sorensen, president of the Hamilton-Wentworth Elementary Teachers' Local told CBC.

"They're working with absolutely nothing to get a school year off the ground ... it's the moment before the storm where you know it's coming but there's nothing you can do."

It also means families and students will also need to accept more new changes. They will find out what the plans are this week and get more information in a message from HWDSB on Tuesday.

Reorganization is yet another alteration to the non-stop process to reopen schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educators and families have expressed frustration about not having enough information and constant changes to information. School boards have had the same complaints directed at the Ministry of Education.

Four major teachers' unions are also headed to the province's labour board as the unions allege Ontario's school reopening plan violates its own workplace safety laws.

"Schools aren't ready, staff aren't ready, safety is not something that's been worked on for months and months," Sorensen explained, emphasizing that school boards haven't had enough help from the province.

Daryl Jerome, president of the local bargaining unit of Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, told CBC the union challenge likely won't push back classes in Hamilton because of the lengthy process with the labour board.

HWDSB says 6,278 elementary students, roughly 20 per cent, have decided to enrol into the virtual school, 500 of which will be enrolled in French Immersion.

About 15 per cent of students in the Catholic board will learn through its own virtual school.

These numbers will also play into what in-person classes look like.

With approval from the Ministry of Education, both Hamilton school boards are dipping into reserve funds to add more teachers to schools and decrease in-person class sizes.

The reorganization process has also been disruptive enough to be part of the reason the board pushed back its first day of school to allow educators more time to prepare.

"I anticipate a massive workload for our guidance counselors who will need to deal with an overwhelming number of timetable changes," Jerome said.

Pat Daly, chairperson of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, told CBC he understands how difficult the situation is for everyone involved.

"We know our staff will do the best they can and that's all we're asking of them."

Second reorganization in late September

But, there's another reorganization coming at the end of September.

That means some educators and families will be subject to another change.

"The numbers they're working with now [before school starts] doesn't take into account possible growth of the board in general," Sorensen said.

Nunn doesn't think the changes in late September will be as significant as the incoming shuffle, but he did admit it could mean some class sizes could change just one month into the year. 

A new class could open, or three smaller classes could become two larger ones. 

That said, Nunn promises there would be enough spaces for everyone.

Still, introducing a new teacher or student to a new classroom means introducing people to a new social bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic — an increased chance of spreading the virus.

"Principals will work really hard on the transition plan to support teachers to communicate to parents so they're aware," Nunn explained.

It will also disrupt the bond between students and teachers, impacting another social convention in schools.

"I hear you when our students build really strong relationships and its hard to say goodbye but it really comes down to the work principals do in supporting that transition," Nunn said.

There may be talks later on about another reorganization process in January.

HWDSB trustees are meeting today at 6:15 p.m. to discuss the public board's reopening strategy.

Attention parents, students and teachers: We want to hear from you!

We hope you'll use this form to tell us about school conditions, how classes are going or whatever other pressing issues are on your mind this September in Hamilton, Niagara, St. Catharines and Burlington.