NOTICE TO FAMILIES OF KPDSB STUDENTS

KPDSB Schools to Move to Teacher-led Remote Learning for April 20, 2021

April 13, 2021

To view this Notice to Families as a PDF, please click here.

As announced by Premier Ford the afternoon of April 12, 2021, it has been determined that elementary and secondary schools province-wide will move to teacher-led remote learning when students return from the spring break. At this time, a date for a return to in-person has not been announced.

As per the Ontario Government’s Operational Guidance: COVID-19 Management in Schools, school boards are required to support a transition to remote learning within 24 hours of a school closure.  Given the announcement on April 12 and the week of April 12-16 being the Spring Break, teacher-led remote learning for all students who were learning in-person before the break will begin on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. There will be no remote learning offered on Monday, April 19.  Starting remote learning on April 20 will allow additional time for our staff to prepare for the shift to remote learning, which includes the start of Quadmester 4 in secondary, as well as arranging device distribution for students who require a device.

Remote Learning

Remote learning will be provided beginning on April 20, 2021, in alignment with Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) No.164: Requirements for Remote Learning. This PPM provides the standards for instruction of synchronous learning so that parents and students know what to expect and so that there is a consistent approach to ensure students are fully engaged in their learning. For students in Grades 1 – 8, 75% of the instructional day must be synchronous learning, while in Grades 9 - 12, 80% of the course is delivered synchronously. Synchronous learning is part of the 300-minute instructional day during which teachers remain available to students.

*Synchronous learning is a term used to describe learning that occurs at the same time, but not in the same place. Synchronous learning means online learning where students learn from and with teachers, other staff and peers in real time, but not in person.

The following resources for remote learning are available to support families:

• Introduction to Chromebooks (video) - https://www.wevideo.com/view/1708312934
• How to connect your Chromebook to home WiFi (video) - https://www.wevideo.com/view/1846864388
• Overview of Google Classroom for Families with Younger Students (video) - https://www.wevideo.com/view/1860147270
• KPDSB Chromebook Support (website) - https://sites.google.com/k12.kpdsb.ca/kpdsbdevicehelp/home

Mental Health Support and Resources

Families can access our board website by clicking here to find ways to connect to mental health resources and supports.

In the event families need support in accessing mental health services for students who are experiencing or could be expected to experience mental health challenges during this time please email us at mentalhealthsupports@kpdsb.ca or email FIREFLY at intake@fireflynw.ca or call 1-833-696-5437. Should you or your child be in crisis and need immediate support, please click here for outreach numbers.

NAN HOPE, Nishnawbe Aski Mental Health and Addictions Support Access Program is also available 24/7, for any Indigenous families or youth from any of the 49 NAN First Nations. The service can be accessed by calling 1-844-NAN-HOPE. Families can also access the program by clicking here.

In addition, students and families can access further mental health resources, including Kids Help Phone, which offers 24/7 counselling and referral services across the province. To use this free resource, youth can call 1-800-668-6868, or text CONNECT to 686868.  School Mental Health Ontario also has a number of great resources for students, parents and families on their website at www.smho-smso.ca

Student Transportation

While elementary and secondary panels are learning remotely, regular school bus services will not be provided. We anticipate that bussing will resume when students return to in-person learning. Please visit the Northwestern Ontario Student Service Consortium website www.nwobus.ca for bussing information.

As our schools prepare to pivot to remote learning, your child(ren)’s school will have additional instructions and communications, particularly around access to learning materials. Families are asked to continue to monitor your emails for important information and updates.

Sincerely,       

Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education