On April 12th, school boards received direction from the Ministry of Education that Elementary & Secondary school students province-wide will participate in remote learning as of Monday, April 19, 2021. In-person instruction will not be permitted during this period. Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) No.164: Requirements for Remote Learning outlines the requirements for remote learning.
Learning Online: As a Board we will designate Monday, April 19, 2021 as a Remote Learning/Student Success Preparation day for our staff. This means that there will be no synchronous learning taking place for students on this day. Students are welcome to engage in their own learning through supplemental, curriculum-linked activities available at TVO Learn (www.tvolearn.com). These rich, engaging opportunities allow students to keep up with their learning and interests. Secondary students can continue to access TVO’s Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House and Portes ouvertes pour les cours TVO ILC in French-language.
The full launch of synchronous learning via the RCCDSB approved virtual platform of choice (Google Classroom, Seesaw, Brightspace) will occur on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. We expect during the course of this school closure period that academic rigour will be present in the online classroom and that online learning will be considered for assessment and evaluation purposes.
Please note that if your child does not participate in remote learning, synchronous or asynchronous, during a scheduled remote learning day, the child will be recorded as absent. Students demonstrating participation in synchronous and/or asynchronous learning during a day will be marked present.
Technology: Many schools sent home technological devices (iPad or Chromebook) with children prior to the April break in case a move to a remote learning environment occurred. Schools that did not send home devices with students who need them will be in contact with families Monday, April 19th to schedule a time for curbside pick up at the school. If your child did not need a device during the past school closures and his/her circumstances have changed and does need a device this time, please contact the school principal on Monday, April 19th.
Special Education: As per the Ministry’s guidelines, “Boards are expected to make provisions for in-person support for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning based on student needs.” Schools will contact families of students who meet the Ministry guidelines for in person learning on Monday, April 19th and review the upcoming learning plans at that time.
As a faith filled learning community, we will continue to get through this difficult period imperfectly, together and through the grace of God. Let us continue to keep one another in our prayers and, in a very conscious way, let us pray for all those who have been suffering throughout this global pandemic.
– Mark Searson, Director of Education
