Abbotsford parents will be getting a call from their children’s teachers next week, as the school district starts to navigate learning-from-home after spring break.
More details on exactly how this will work were given in a public letter from the district’s superintendent, Dr. Kevin Godden.
“Undoubtedly, there will be challenges along the way as we adapt to these circumstances,” Godden said. “I have every confidence in our very committed staff that we will pull together to tackle the task ahead of us.”
On March 17, the province announced that in-class learning would be suspended for an undetermined amount of time due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The education minister, Rob Fleming said that remote learning would have to be the new classroom, and that each district would be responsible for how this would be implemented.
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Currently, teachers, administrators and support staff are familiarizing themselves with the different virtual tools needed to carry out this new style of classroom, according to Godden. He said that teachers and schools will be communicating with parents next week, either by phone, Google Classroom or another method.
“It is our goal that instructional support will commence in earnest during the week of April 6th,” Godden said. “Our intent is not to replicate regular classroom instruction, but rather to provide opportunities for home learning during this very challenging time.”
The superintendent confirmed the district is adhering the province’s requirment that every student will receive a final mark for this year, move to the next grade or graduate, and the postponement of graduation assessments for Grade 10 and 11 students.Whether graduation ceremonies will take place for this year’s Grade 12 students is unknown, and will be reassessed later this spring.
There are five key areas the district is focusing on: the social and emotional well-being of their students, supporting the district’s core curriculum and standards, ensuring each student has a reasonable amount of time to complete school work, getting the needed learning materials and technology to homes and giving access to a variety of e-resources for parents.
The district is asking families to complete a new survey, so they can tailor to the learning needs of each student.
“This survey will provide us with valuable information about your child’s academic, technological, and emotional needs,” Godden said.
“We are all in this together, and I am confident that we will rise above these challenges. Thank you for your understanding and your patience, and I wish you all to stay healthy.”
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patrick.penner@abbynews.com
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