EMSB pleased with Minister's decision to mandate masks in classrooms

The English Montreal School Board has greeted with appreciation the news that the wearing of masks for students in Grades 1 and over in the youth and adult sectors will be mandatory.

EMSB Chair Joe Ortona emphasized that the Council of Commissioners had intended to consider a resolution at a September 1 meeting to introduce such a measure.

'We are very pleased with this news," said Mr. Ortona. 'With  a week to go before the start of classes we hope our staff and  parents feel more reassured. The Delta variant and the fact that elementary school children cannot get vaccinated yet has everyone worried.”

EMSB Director General Nicholas Katalifos added that the administration needs to look at all of the new health measures put in place very carefully over the next few days in order to provide stakeholders with the answers to all of their questions. Up to date information will be provided on the EMSB website at that time.

Mr. Ortona will be available for further comments on Wednesday when he attends an event for teachers at Willingdon Elementary School Senior Campus (4850 Coronation) in NDG from 9 am to Noon.

About the English Montreal School Board 

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 77 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.