Director Message - April 2, 2020

Limestone Learning Foundation
Director Message - April 2, 2020
Posted on 04/02/2020
Image of Director of Education update graphic

Dear Families,

As I shared earlier this week, our schools will remain closed until May 4, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This extended closure means our schools will roll out emergency remote learning plans to support the continued learning of our students starting next week.

It is important to remember that a project of this magnitude has never happened before in Ontario public education. Board staff have been working diligently to prepare for what this new learning model will look like. It will look a bit different for every school and every student, based on their needs and their ability to learn from home. During the roll out of these plans, I ask for your patience and understanding as this is new way of doing things for most everyone.

Later this week, and perhaps into next week teachers will be reaching out to all families and students. Teachers will be contacting you to check in and determine the best method of staying in touch during the closure. Please ensure you answer the phone to blocked or unknown callers as these may be your teachers. 

Teachers will also be asking about what technology needs (devices and access to the Internet) and any other concerns you may have. This information will help us determine how we might provide technology and other supports to students in need. We will not be able to accommodate everyone with devices, but we will do our best and put in other supports where needed.

The government has released the following model for remote learning:

  • K-Grade 3: 5 hours of work per student per week with a focus on literacy and math
  • Grades 4-6: 5 hours of work per student per week with a focus on literacy, math, science and social studies
  • Grades 7-8: 10 hours of work per student per week with a focus on core math, literacy, science and social studies
  • Grades 9-12: 3 hours of work per course per week for with a focus on achieving credits/completion/graduation

Please know that there are many details still being worked out. We are a mid-sized board with fewer resources than some larger boards so, again, we ask for your patience as we prepare what are complex plans. We are, for example, still working on plans for courses that require in-person teaching and learning such as secondary tech courses, co-ops, apprenticeships, dual credits and Specialist High Skills Major. Teachers will be in touch soon with revised learning plans. You can check our frequently asked questions document on our website which we are updating regularly.

As we move towards classrooms without walls, it is important that we are aware of the continuing role we all play in supporting student well-being. Amidst the uncertainty and worry of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know connections with caring adults outside the home can go a long way to enhancing a student’s sense of wellness and belonging. We hope that by connecting with their teachers and other support staff, students will be provided with some normal routines and rhythms of school, which may be reassuring and offer hope to them, and to you, that we are all in this together, for as long as it takes.

Please take care of yourselves, and each other.

Debra Rantz
Director of Education

March 31, 2020 Message to Families

March 31, 2020 Message from the Minister of Education to Ontario Families

March 23, 2020 Message to Families

March 13, 2020 Message to Families

Frequently Asked Questions re COVID-19

Talking with children and youth about COVID-19

 

 

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.