Nov. 26, 2020
This information is intended for students currently participating in in-person learning. If your student is registered in Hub online learning, please disregard this message.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Since the government announced on Nov. 24 that all Grade 7-12 students would move to at-home learning on Nov. 30, we have been working to provide more details about what that will look like for your child(ren).
Our teachers and staff have learned a great deal this fall about supporting students online, and we are confident that our teachers will move successfully to online learning this coming Monday.
Before your child leaves our schools tomorrow, we will have prepared them for what they can expect at home. This includes making sure your child knows how to log in, access online learning tools, and how to navigate in the platform their teachers will be using.
Students and teachers will follow their current timetable
It is important to recognize that at-home learning will look different from what your child may have experienced last spring.
From Nov. 30 to Dec. 18, and for the first week after the winter break, students and teachers will continue to follow their current timetable online, including any complementary courses. That means that students will be expected to log in at the usual time for the beginning of their classes. Attendance will be taken. Classes could include short lessons, group work sessions and responding to individual questions. Teachers will continue to assess your child’s learning while they are at home, and they may be recording parts of their lessons to support families that are sharing technology.
If your child is currently away from school or isolating at home, they will be allowed to enter the school to pick up any needed supplies once they have completed their isolation period. Otherwise, another family member who is not isolating may retrieve the items. Supplies might include textbooks, handouts and materials needed for complementary courses.
Technology Considerations
If you need technology for your child to learn at home, schools do have limited numbers of Chromebooks for students to borrow. Families will need to return these devices to schools once in-person classes resume. Please contact your school with any requests.
A parent support desk is also available for any families experiencing difficulties with the technology or learning platforms. More information can be found on our website.
We know that this transition may be difficult for some families. We want to assure you that we remain committed to your child’s well-being and to supporting their learning needs to the best of our ability. There is an extensive list of supports starting on page 18 of the province’s 2020-21 School Re-Entry Guide.
Your school will be providing additional and more specific information, over the coming days and weeks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Sincerely,
Christopher Usih
Chief Superintendent of Schools
