HWDSB asks Ontario for money to buy 2,000 more devices amid remote learning

The chair of Hamilton's public school board has penned a letter to Ontario's Ministry of Education highlighting five requests related to pandemic-era learning, including money for 2,000 more learning devices.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Chair Dawn Dankopreviously expressed frustration after the province said students would return to class on Jan. 5 before flip-flopping at the last second and reverting to remote learning until Jan. 17.

"A lot of families are still frustrated, and throughout the pandemic, time and timeagain, we've said to the government we need timely communication, we need clear planning and clear benchmarks so you can see what's coming," she previouslytold CBC Hamilton.

Besides being annoyed with the timing of the announcement, Danko's main question was what will the province do in two weeks to ensure remote learning doesn't stretch past Jan. 17.

"I'm not hearing anything concrete ... that doesn't make sense to me," she previously said.

Her letter on Thursday made five requests:

1. Priority access to vaccinations for front-lineeducation workers and students.
2. Continued tracking and public reporting of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases in schools.
3. Ministry-funded or suppliedhigh-quality masks for students.
4. More technology funding to ensureevery student receives a device for learning.
5. Transparent and timely communication to families and staff regarding changes to in-person learning.

Danko's letter notes a preliminary survey by HWDSB shows8,000 students need a device the board only has roughly 6,000devices to offer, read her letter.

"During this critical stage of the pandemic, equity of access is vital to supporting the education needs of our students," she wrote.

She added while the ministry has provided some masks, there aren't enough.

Also, Danko wantsstudents aged 12 to 17 to get priority access to vaccines as soon as possible.

Education, child-carestaff getting priority for booster

CBC Hamilton contactedthe province for comment.

For its part, Ontarioannounced Thursday it would offer greater access to booster shots for education and child-care staff.

Starting Friday, educators, custodial staff, administrative staff, school bus drivers and child-care staff will have priority booking forvaccines atthe International Centre in Mississauga with appointments being made from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

Those not living in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton area will have to wait, but the province said there is similar access attheChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa or some City of Toronto-run clinics.