Mar. 27, 2020
PDF of Media Statement
Statement from Christopher Usih, Calgary Board of Education Chief Superintendent of Schools
In the coming weeks, learning will look very different for CBE students. Learning at home presents many challenges for our families. We do not expect parents to deliver the same learning that students receive at school, but to do whatever they can to encourage and support learning for their children while classes are cancelled.
Beginning next week, students and parents will hear from their school’s principal and teachers with information about their plan for ongoing learning. Families whose children attend a school following the CBE’s Modified Calendar can expect to hear from their school when classes resume on April 6.
Brightspace by D2L will be the primary platform students in Grades 10 – 12 will use to access learning. Information about other platforms will be shared by each school.
Teachers will connect directly to discuss each family’s access to technology at home, including access to a computer and the internet. The CBE is making a plan to address the needs of students without these resources and to determine how to support students with paper packages or technology loans. More information about this plan will be available in the coming days.
Teachers and schools will share information with families about how they will provide course materials, the technology platform(s) they will be using and the best way for families to connect directly with the teacher if they have questions. Teachers will explain what families can expect from them in terms of assignments, how to submit any work, and resources and supports available to support learning at home.
It’s also very important that our families are supported in other ways. We are encouraging CBE staff to connect with families and ask them how they’re doing. We know schools are a connection point for our communities and it’s critical we continue to work together to make connections between families and the wellness supports and resources available within and beyond the CBE.
We expect that students in Kindergarten to Grade 9 will be engaging with their teacher(s) regarding next steps in their learning by the middle of next week. Students in Grades 10 – 12 will be able to access core course work by the middle of next week. We are continuing to plan for how students might access non-core courses (such as CTS courses) in this environment and will provide updates as they are available.
We’d like to thank our families, students and staff for their ongoing patience. These are challenging times, and everyone’s support is essential as we navigate these significant changes to student learning and our daily routines.
