Elementary Learning Models

Elementary schools will re-open with conventional in-person delivery of learning, with enhanced health and safety protocols. Please review our protective strategies, here.

Elementary school students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 will attend school five days per week, with 300 minutes with instruction per day, remaining in one cohort for the full day. Cohorted classes will stay together and with one teacher, where possible. Students may be placed into small groups (Special Education support, English-Language learning) with students from other cohorts.

Students may use common spaces (for example, cafeterias, libraries). Members of different cohrots can interact outside with distancing encouraged, or inside with distancing and masking. Specialized Education staff and teachers, such as French teachers, Education Support Staff (for example Educational Assistants) are permitted to go into classrooms, and multiple schools to provide the full breadth of programming for students.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As a Board, we are committed to the academic success of each and every student. While schools are open for in person learning, with health and safety measures in place, remote learning will remain an option.

Families must have identified whether they are attending virtually or conventionally (face-to-face) for the 2021-2022 school year.

Virtual Learning: Grades Kindergarten - 6 English

• Students in grades Kindergarten - 6 (English Stream) will learn from home with a dedicated Teacher and other virtual learners across our system. Class sizes are larger than a conventional classroom setting and sometimes require split classes (more than one grade level).

HYBRID Models (French Immersion and Senior Elementary)

• French Immersion Virtual Learning... will be instructed through a hybrid model from grades 1 to 8. Students learn synchronously from home (virtually) with a teacher and other students learning in real-time (face-to-face from the classroom).
• Grades 7 and 8 (Senior Elementary) Virtual Learning... will be instructed through the hybrid model. Students learn synchronously from home (virtually) with a teacher and other students learning in real-time (face-to-face from the classroom).

Virtual Learning Facts:

• Class sizes are larger than a conventional classroom setting and sometimes require split classes (more than one grade level).
• Parental Supervision is vital in the success of students within Virtual school. Especially younger learners (kindergarten to grade three).
• 180-300 minutes will consist of synchronous learning, with the remainder provided through offline (asynchronous) learning

General Comments:

• This model will be full-time learning from home through synchronous/asynchronous virtual learning.
• This model will go into effect depending on the guidance provided by the Ministry of Education and the Government of Ontario.
• This model will also apply to parents that are reluctant to send their child back to school and opt for their child(ren) to Learn at Home.

Scheduling K-8

• All teachers are expected to reach out to the families and students in their classroom.
• In elementary, both classroom and itinerant teachers will be contributing to Google Classroom assignments.
• Educators will maintain and document ongoing communication with students and families using a variety of methods that meets the needs of all students and families.
• Educators will respond to student and family questions and/or requests for support within 24 hours during the school week and during regular school hours.

A schedule will be created by the classroom teacher to provide the following to parents and students:

Scheduled time of synchronous learning using Google Meet (see expectations below).

Scheduled time of online availability (minimum one hour in length).

Daily Schedule

• Attendance will be taken daily.
• 300 minutes of instruction (combination of synchronous and asynchronous).
• Digital platforms utilizing Google Classroom and Google Meet.
• Large group, small group and individual instruction will occur.
• Instruction will be provided by more than one teacher.
• All subject areas will be covered with a focus on overall curriculum expectations.
• Assessment and evaluation of skills and knowledge in all subject areas.
• Specific expectations in terms of synchronous learning, check-ins and small-group learning will be developed by division.
• *Note: French Immersion Kindergarten will not be offered virtually.

Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

• Educators are encouraged to plan with “quality over quantity” in mind with a focus on Deep Learning.
• Educators have the authority to use their professional judgment to focus on the achievement of overall expectations in key areas of the curriculum, rather than try to cover all items in the curriculum guidelines.
• Educators will assign learning tasks, projects and culminating activities that will be marked for purposes of formative and summative evaluation.
• The results of these marked assignments and feedback will be provided to students electronically. Results will be used by teachers to inform students’ final marks.
• Staff will include activities which acknowledge and recognize the fears and trauma that have potentially affected students and their families during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Additional procedures will be developed for music classes and other itinerant positions.
• Instruction will be provided by more than one teacher, and the student may or may not be taught by a teacher from their home school.

Special Education & Mental Health

• IEPs, including Transition Plans, will be updated to determine the most appropriate plan for individual students.
• Behaviour Support Plans and Safety Plans will be updated to reflect current procedures and protocols.
• SEA equipment will be delivered to students at home.
• SSPs will continue to support identified students on Google Meet.
• Counselors will arrange for Google Meet sessions with students.
• *Note: experience illustrates that special education system classes best meet students’ needs in an in-person environment. All Special Classes, including Transitions, Lifeskills and Pathways, will be offered in person only.