b'Following consultation with trustees from across the province, OPSBA developed its recommendations on reopening schools, and submitted them to the government prior to the announcement on July 30 of a plan to reopen schools in September 2020. School boards were expected to implement the options for parents to send their children in-class or to enter online remote learning.The ministrys plans were informed by experts at SickKids and other paediatric hospitals in Ontario. As of the time of publication of mid-August, elementary schools (Kindergarten to Grade 8) were expected to reopen province-wide, with in-class instruction five days a week. Secondary schools with lower risk would reopen with a normal daily schedule, five days a week, while most secondary schools will start the school year in an adapted model of part-time attendance with class cohorts of up to 15 students alternating between attending in-person and online. Students from Grades 4 to 12 and school staff would be required to wear masks. The coronavirus/COVID-19 situation in Ontario remains fluid. At OPSBA, and in every English public school board, the health and safety of all students, staff and school communities is the top priority.Legislative Submissions and Government Consultations OPSBA has engaged in a wide range of advocacy work related to the provincial governments legislative and regulatory agenda, including submissions and letters regarding:Bill 197, COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 Ontarios Plan to Reopen Schools Northern Ontario concerns related to public education 2020-21 Education Funding and 2020-21 Pre-Budget Consultations Anti-bullying consultations Indigenous Education Cannabis consumption and Special Occasion Permits Education Development Charges and Land Expropriation Local Government Week Automated Speed Enforcement (photo radar) in school zones The Climate Action Incentive Fund for SchoolsLabour Relations and Collective Bargaining OPSBA remained fully engaged in its role as the bargaining agent for all English public school boards in the province, which occurred actively throughout much of the 2019-20 school year. The Board of Directors ratified the 2019-2022 central terms for all English public school boards in late spring 2020.Staff continues to provide support for the implementation of the 2019-2022 central agreements. OPSBA is greatly appreciative of the tremendous contributions of board staff throughout the labour negotiations process.Equity and Anti-Racism In late May and early June, as the Black Lives Matter movement became ascendant following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the Association took note of the persistence of overt and systemic racism throughout the United States, and indeed right here at home in Canada. Across the province, many BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) students and families in particular felt a variety of emotions, and it was important for all Ontarians to acknowledge the ongoing trauma they continue to experience as a result of recent events. President Cathy Abraham noted in a message to trustees that racist behaviour cannot be allowed to exist in our system. We need to stand up and confront racism when it appears and be actively anti-racist. OPSBA will be looking closely at future conferences and events, and seeking to bring in appropriate speakers, have3'