The Government of Ontario has implemented a provincewide shutdown to limit the spread of COVID-19, which means elementary and secondary students will participate in remote learning for one week after the Christmas holidays, from Jan. 4-8.
On December 21, 2020, Ontario announced the province will enter a period of public health restrictions beginning on Dec. 26 and lasting 14 days in Northern Ontario (28 days for Southern Ontario).
In consultation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ministry of Education has directed that in Northern Ontario, all elementary and secondary schools who were attending face to face will engage in remote learning from Jan. 4 – Jan. 8, 2021.
Schools in northern public health regions (such as Greater Sudbury) will be permitted to resume in-person instruction Jan. 11 for both elementary and secondary students.
Rainbow District School Board
Students attending Rainbow Elementary Virtual School will resume their regular timetable on Jan. 4, but in-person learners in elementary and secondary schools will shift to teacher-led remote learning from Jan. 4-8.
There is one exception.
Jean Hanson Public School and the Ruth MacMillan Centre will be open for in-person learning. Students who attend these schools will receive transportation as regularly scheduled. All other schools will be closed next week.
Here’s what will happen for in-person learners on Monday, Jan. 4:
The focus will be to support the transition to remote learning. Schools will reach out to in-person learners who require technology to learn from home. Teachers will provide instructions to access the appropriate virtual platform (VLE for secondary and Google Classroom for elementary), verify email addresses, ensure the homeroom/class timetable is posted within the platform and provide reminders about COVID-19 safety practices.
Virtual instruction will begin on Jan. 5, 2021.
Elementary and secondary students will follow their regular schedules remotely. Teachers will connect with students to provide additional information. Students who do not have access to the internet will receive paper-based assignments.
Students who have special education needs will continue to be supported remotely by their classroom teacher and educational assistant. Mental health supports will also be available.
Rainbow Schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12 are scheduled to reopen for in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.
Sudbury Catholic District School Board
There are no changes to the remote learning school. Remote learning classes start on Jan. 4 as scheduled.
For those enrolled in in-person learning, remote learning starts on Jan. 4 for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students for one week. Parents will be contacted by staff on Jan. 4 with guidance on how to access the platform and to get started in the virtual classroom.
Educators will connect online with their class every day. Students will follow their regular school timetable. This schedule includes start and end times and recesses. In-person classes and transportation will resume the week of Jan. 11, 2021.
Approximately 75 per cent of the instructional day will be teacher-led synchronous learning for students in Grades 1-8, and 25 per cent will be delivered asynchronously where students work independently. Students in Grades 9-12 will receive approximately 80 per cent of their course delivered synchronously and 20 per cent asynchronously.
On Jan. 4, teachers of special education system classes will contact parents to support their child’s ability to participate in a remote-learning environment.
The school mental health team will be reaching out to students and families throughout the week of Jan. 4 to help provide resources and support. 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.
There will be no student transportation services for either elementary or secondary students from Jan. 4-8, 2021.
Those who indicated they would need a device for remote learning will be contacted through the school beginning Jan. 4. Those who did not indicate a need for a device and who now require one will be placed on a wait list in the event that there are extra devices available.
Conseil scolaire publique du Grand Nord de l’Ontario
Teachers will contact families on Jan. 4 to continue your child's home learning. Details of the type of support offered, the means of communication advocated, and the teaching and technological tools used will be shared at this time.
The program before and after classes, Youth Place, will also be closed until Jan. 8.
In addition, school management will be at schools on Jan. 4 to provide the technology needed for at-home instructions to families who require it. Contact your child’s school should you require this.
“Since the situation is fluid, we know that information can change quickly. Rest assured that we are monitoring the situation very closely and will keep you informed through council emails, website and social media.”
Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon
The board is surveying families to determine the technology needs of elementary students, and then families will be contacted to distribute items students will need to participate in online learning. The board said its review found most high school students had access to technology. Parents with questions or concerns should contact the board.
During the school day, virtual distance education will provide interactive and engaging synchronous (real-time) teaching time that will allow students to interact with the teacher and receive immediate feedback. This may include times when students will work independently or in small groups with the teacher supervising their learning and answering their questions.
Students will also experience asynchronous learning time that is not offered in real time. The student will be asked to perform tasks independently. Both synchronous and asynchronous learning will promote student well-being and academic performance.
