Keeping learning groups together in before and after school care in School District 43 will be a challenge, requiring operators to maintain strict COVID-19 protocols, superintendent Patricia Gartland has confirmed.
With school-based daycares expected to open tomorrow (Thursday) the same day students return for the fall semester, parents may be wondering if their child’s cohort group will expand.
The answer is likely, yes, according to Gartland, but she said schools will endeavour to group kids where possible.
“We totally understand the concern about being outside your learning group in before and after school situation,” she said, noting that keeping students from a single class together in a daycare would be easier at a smaller school than a larger school. “We’re hoping the grades align.”
A majority of students are expected to return to school this week, but with new provincial and federal money coming, more options are being expanded for parents.
As much as 30% of the first $5.6 million of a total $11 million in federal funding earmarked for SD43 is being spent on hiring teachers and other measures for the new gradual transition program to help students not ready to return to school. More teachers are also being hired to expand a digital online program called Encompass Kindergarten to Grade 9.
REMOTE LEARNING
For parents looking for remote learning opportunities, SD43 is offering Encompass for students who will be learning at home for the school year. There is also a gradual transition program for students who will return to their class but learn at home in the meantime.
Grade-level learning packages are being prepared now for families to support students learning at home, but families are expected to dial down their expectations.
If they want a full online program, they should enrol their child in the Encompass K-9 program, which is being expanded.
“If you’re in a circumstance not likely to return this year, your best experience will be going to a model designed to fulfil a program remotely,” said Stephen Whiffin, director of instruction.
Homeschooling and the hospital homebound program are two other options, but the first is completely separate from public school, while the second requires a specific illness and a note from a doctor.
Gartland cautioned that classroom teachers won’t be doing double duty by teaching students in the gradual transition program and their face-to-face class.
But teachers will be connecting with those students to get to know them and assess their work for report cards.
As many as six new teachers, along with seven mentor teachers and four technology teachers will administer the gradual transition program.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Students in French Immersion who take part in the gradual transition program will also get at least some of their learning in French because two teachers overseeing the program are French Immersion teachers.
The option for learning in French for students not ready to return to school during the pandemic may sooth the fears of some parents, who told the Tri-City News they wanted more remote options.
Meanwhile, the district is spending all its provincial funding — $2.4 million — on supplies and custodians, including portable hand washing stations, hand sanitizer and masks as well as 17 full time equivalent staff to clean schools as part of efforts to maintain safety protocols when classes resume.
