Good evening to all our SD 10 parents and guardians,
I hope that all of you are managing to find some bright spots amidst the impacts and worries of the pandemic all around us. I am sure for all of you that not having your children in class presents challenges, and all of us in the school district are doing our very best to support you and our students!
Needs Survey Follow-up: Technology, Internet, Meal Programs and ESW School Care
Last week you heard personally from your children’s teachers. We felt it was important to reach out personally and hear how you were doing as well as conduct a short survey on your needs for technology, meal programs and essential service worker child care.
Thanks for your help in letting us know what your needs are.
This week school laptops are being loaned out to our students who need them and we are working with Telus and other Internet providers to address the needs some of you have for Internet or connectivity.
Our schools are each looking at how to continue providing breakfast and lunch programs and will be in touch with those families at each school who need that help.
This week also, we have begun serving our hard-working essential service workers by providing school care to their children when our front line parents have no other options for child care.
We care about you and your family and are doing all that we can to help.
Continuity of Learning
Your children’s teachers and support staff have been working hard to create new ways of learning during this pandemic. This week you can expect to have teachers contact you and your children to engage in learning.
Our teachers are using a wide range of approaches to help students continue their learning. Some are connecting the teacher and the class remotely using video conference software such as Google or Zoom, while others are using Google Classroom or FreshGrade to post assignments and connect.
Some teachers will send home books and supplies to allow more print-based and hands on learning.
We are also committed to supporting our vulnerable learners and teachers and EAs will be working alongside you to give your children support to carry on with their learning.
The creativity and imagination of our SD 10 teachers is remarkable and I applaud their dedication and commitment to doing all that they can to support your kids!
Parent Resources
The Ministry of Education has released a range of resources and links for parents including the following:
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents and Students (updated April 1)
Ministry of Education – Keep Learning website for Parents and Students
and here is a local Kootenay resource with great outdoor learning suggestions for families:
Kootenay Boundary Environmental Education – Ideas for Families
How lovely to see the sun today and look ahead to promises of good weather all week long. Please don’t hesitate to contact your local school should you have any questions.
Take care of one another, and please know we are all behind you as parents and our students in School District 10!
Kindest regards,
Terry
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”
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