***Version française au bas de la page*** OSBIE would like to extend our thanks to the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board for providing this important message. The topic is fitting since October is Cyber Security Awareness month! Recently, an Ontario organization within the Public Sector was impacted through the distribution of a phishing message with the subject line, “Re: COVID-19…
***Version française au bas de la page*** We recently read a blog article from the United States that some hand sanitizers on the market contain nut oils, typically almond oil. OSBIE asked Health Canada if there could be a similar issue north of the border and were directed to the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products…
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Time: 2:00 PM EDT Speaker: Allison Palis, OSBIE Session Description: While playground equipment may be closed to students during the school day due to COVID-19, it is important that maintenance and inspection routines continue for those community members that use the equipment after-hours and on weekends. During this webinar we will discuss: The CAN/CSA Z614…
***Version française au bas de la page*** “Police search for suspects in elementary school arson in Brampton, causing millions in damage”: this type of headline is an unfortunate side effect of the school closures. Arsonists and vandals generally seek properties that are vacant or where operations are temporarily shut down. It is public knowledge that schools have been closed since…
***Version française au bas de la page*** The following are proactive steps that can be taken to minimize damage in advance of flood conditions and may assist in reducing the impact of flooding on your school building. These preparations are equally important during school closures. These practical steps can be taken immediately to reduce your risk profile: Include flood hazard…
***Version française au bas de la page*** “During the COVID-19 pandemic, with adolescents likely to use digital platforms even more for personal or educational purposes, there could be a concurrent increase in cyberbullying, an expert warned. When smartphones and social media became ubiquitous for students, cyberbullying rates went up,” Sameer Hinduja, PhD, professor of criminology and criminal justice at Florida…
***Version française au bas de la page*** The spring and summer months are generally the time that school boards are entering into various construction projects. With the Ford government identifying construction as an essential business our members, have several questions pertaining to their own construction projects, such as: Should we continue with our construction projects? What type of correspondence should…
On March 30 it was announced that Ontario is issuing a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as sports fields and playgrounds, effective immediately. The following are some tips to consider for alerting the public of the closure, reprinted by permission of the author, Scott Belair. Scott is…
***Version française au bas de la page*** Unfortunately, it is in times like these, when it is known that many businesses have closed their doors, that there is an added risk to property owners. During school closures an inspection program can help reduce water damage, accidental fire, vandalism and deter arson. Inspections should be conducted every 48 hours to ensure the…
***Version française au bas de la page*** Recent news articles have been published about the closure of public use playground equipment amid concerns of the spread of COVID-19. The concern is valid given that, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, the virus can survive up to three days on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-covid-19-how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces). Some municipalities have made…
