Letter from Principal, May 21, 2021
Hello Students and Families of Sherwood!
How are we at the May long weekend already?!
This year has certainly been a trying one for all (I don’t have to tell you that!) and I know we have collectively dug deep to get through it. Thank you for your patience, kindness, questions and support as we worked and learned through this experience together, as a community.
There is much information swirling about regarding school in September, graduation, and the year end in general so I thought I would send an email with the information I know to date. Please keep in mind that as per our lives since the pandemic started, things are constantly evolving and changing. It is a lengthy email, but please take the time to read thoroughly.
Yesterday, you would have heard about a gradual reopening of the Province–this is good news as it means people are respecting the safety protocols and the percentage of the population getting vaccinated is increasing. I have been asked whether this information will affect what has already been shared by the Ministry about the school model for September: At this point, our understanding of September is still grounded in the communication from the board that outlined the Ministry decision to move to Quadmesters.
Please read below for a summary of the Ministry expectations for the learning model for September as well as other important items to note:
2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR: MODEL FOR SEMESTER 1:
- All Boards in Ontario are being told to run a quadmester model (2 classes at a time for half a semester).
- There is to be 300 mins of instruction for all students for the 2 classes (150 mins in the morning and 150 mins in the afternoon).
- Local Public Health could impose other restrictions such as limiting the number of contacts further with the request to implement this year’s adaptive model again (the familiar Cohort A/B), but this wouldn’t be known until late August.
- Remote learning must be offered in all Boards: HWDSB has declared that its version of remote learning will be eLearning in secondary (not the synchronous, blended learning model as we have now).
- eLearning is generally asynchronous (very little, if any, live instruction), and the course offerings are not as numerous as what is offered face-to-face.
- eLearning courses will be offered by a variety of qualified teachers across the Board–your student will not necessarily be with a Sherwood staff member.
- Parents/students over-18 are to declare in the Portal before June 1st if they are staying home for remote learning (full eLearning) and you are to declare with the knowledge that once your student starts in eLearning, they are to stay in it for the entire semester (i.e. cannot change to face-to-face until Feb 2022).
- Those that do not declare remote (eLearning) will be assumed to be attending face-to-face.
- Students staying for lunch are to stay in their morning class for lunch or leave for the entire lunch period–there is to be no gatherings in the hallways and cafeteria.
- School bell times — for Sherwood, our bell times were changed (as previously communicated in March) as part of a multi-Board transportation overhaul–we now start at 8 am and end at 2:30pm. **Please see the attached for an updated bell schedule for Sept. 2021.
- Transportation will align to the bell times regardless of the September model.
- The OSSLT (Literacy Test) has been waived for June 2022 graduates.
- Community hours will remain at 20 hours for June 2022 graduates.
2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR: REMOTE LEARNING DECLARATION:
I know there is much that can happen between now and August and we are hearing promises of full vaccination for students by August end. This may have implications for September … we just do not know at this point. What is most important is that we learn as much as we can now about your student’s decision for September so that we can make the best timetable changes we can under the circumstances to give your student a robust learning experience.
If you want your student to stay at home to learn for semester 1, please declare this in the Parent Portal by June 1st. Please connect with your student’s guidance counsellor if you have further questions about courses.
STUDENT SUCCESS DAYS (June 22 -28):
As per semester 1, there will be no formal exams. The focus of these Student Success Days is to help students who are currently failing or in danger of failing the course and offering them a plan to recover/save their credit or to at least bridge some gaps in their learning in preparation for September. This is NOT meant for students to upgrade their marks. Teachers are working with their students to develop plans for success now. Students who do not require the use of the Student Success Days will finish regular classes on June 18th, 2021.
Self-contained Classes
Students placed in self-contained classes will attend school daily during Student Success Week.
GRADUATION (for students identified as potentially Graduating this June):
Given the Province remains in a Lockdown – all plans for a Graduation that involves being AT the school are on pause. We have a grad committee looking at options based on all scenarios: Virtual grad; numerous small-group outdoor grads; drive-through celebrations, etc.
A reminder to potential graduates that your cap, gown, and tassel is available for pick up in the main office if you haven’t done so yet.
With marks not being submitted until June 29th, Graduation Awards will not be determined and recognized until the fall. In the meantime, however, to help us determine award winners, graduates have been asked to fill out the form at the following link:
Students can also let us know they are interested in being the Valedictorian on this form.
A group of student ambassadors are putting together a graduation video. Potential graduates, please send pictures to Ms. Zsiros at [email protected]
Finally, parents, please see the attached flyer for information on a virtual seminar free to parents: Karl Subban will be speaking about supporting students to reach their full potential.
I know that was a LOT to digest before a long weekend. We just really want you to have the information we have at this point. More information to come of course.
Please know we are always here to answer your questions.
Please be safe and well and enjoy your long weekend!
Updated on Friday, May 21, 2021.