Let the children celebrate Christmas at school, Education Minister Stephen Lecce tells Toronto Catholic teachers

Catholic elementary students in Toronto “deserve Christmas celebrations in their schools,” says Education Minister Stephen Lecce of a government job by his teachers that has ended Christmas concerts, door decorating contests. classrooms and fundraising activities.

“Students have come to terms with the worst of the pandemic, and we must prioritize their mental health and academic success,” Lecce said in a statement to the Star. “Nothing should matter more.”

In a memo to members last week, Toronto Elementary Catholic Teachers, also known as TECT, explained which holidays would not be allowed. While teachers may attend Mass or Advent services, they cannot plan or participate in “activities such as school assemblies, presentation of names for monthly virtue celebrations, participation in a virtual school Christmas concert, training in school activities. fundraiser, door decorating contests and / or a gingerbread contest. “

In response to Lecce’s comment, TECT President Julie Altomare-Di Nunzio said: “The Christmas celebrations continue in our classrooms. The full curriculum continues to be taught. “

And “rather than interfering in local bargaining, Minister Lecce should focus on providing the necessary supports so that students can recover from the school years interrupted by the Ford government’s inability to address COVID-19. We do not take this labor action lightly, but our teachers have been without a contract since 2019. “

Altomare-Di Nunzio said that while teachers may choose to make a gingerbread house as part of a classroom activity, they cannot participate in anything throughout the school.

Teachers’ work to govern has angered some parents, already annoyed by basic report cards and a lack of parent-teacher interviews.

Almost all the teachers’ unions in the province, public and Catholic, have already drawn up local contracts.

Angela Kennedy, president of the Toronto Catholic District School Board, called the labor action “unacceptable” and noted that it also includes a ban on testing for gifted students, for which the board will not pay.

While the union has said it wants a “standstill agreement … TECT has proposals on the table that seek to restrict the current ability of the board to manage staffing processes and problematic absenteeism,” Kennedy also said for email.

Altomare-Di Nunzio said the union has proposed negotiation dates and is eager to reach an agreement by the end of the year.