Remote Learning Update for Families
Dear families,
We continue to prepare for the transition to remote learning, as directed by the Ministry of Education. The current direction is for elementary and secondary schools to move to teacher-led remote learning when students return from the winter break as follows:
- Elementary: remote learning from Jan. 4-8; resume in-person learning on Jan 11
- Secondary: remote learning from Jan 4-22; resume in-person learning on Jan 25
- The Elementary Remote Learning Program, and students already learning remotely, are not impacted by these changes.
Provincial requirements and timelines are set by the Ministry of Education and may change.
The shift to remote learning does not change the school day or school schedules, but for many, it does require connecting in different ways to continue learning. We are implementing our remote learning plan that involves supports such as device deployment, virtual classroom guidelines, resources for students in special education and much more.
As we prepare for learning in the new year, we want families to understand what to expect.
| Elementary (in-person schools) | |
| Monday January 4 | Transition day: educators will contact families to help prepare for remote learning in the morning, then prepare for remote instruction for the week
Device Pick-up: families who identified the need for a board device will have been contacted regarding pick up |
| Tuesday January 5 – Friday January 8 | Full remote school day; educators will provide schedules to families for each day
The full school day will be scheduled with breaks Teachers will be available to students during their timetables and provide a blend of connected (synchronous) and independent (asynchronous) learning (PPM 164) |
| Kindergarten Students without Remote Access | January 4 – Educators will email a 5-day learning program package for families without access to remote learning; copies will be available for pick up at the school |
| Grade 1 – 8 Students without Remote Access | Educators will contact families without remote learning access to ensure they are supported with learning materials |
| Secondary Schools | |
| Monday January 4 | Morning: educators will communicate the remote learning plan to students – Cohorts A/B will learn together daily for the morning periods
Afternoon: remote classes as regularly scheduled |
| Tuesday January 5 – Friday January 22 | Full remote school days continue in an adaptive model that consists of a 150-minute block followed by three 50-minute blocks daily |
You can learn more about remote learning preparations at hwdsb.info/remote2021 and please reach out to your child’s school if you have questions.
We know that this period has been one of constant change and adjustment. Thank you for helping us ensure that learning continues across HWDSB.
Sincerely,
Dawn Danko
Board Chair
Manny Figueiredo
Director of Education
Updated on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.