This past week the Ministry of Education released their Health, Safety and Operational Guidance for Schools 2021-22 which outlines the requirements for school boards across Ontario as we prepare to begin the new school year. Outlined below is a brief synopsis of guidelines for both in school and remote learning at the elementary and secondary school levels.
Elementary Learning Models
In-Person Learning
- Elementary schools will reopen with conventional in-person delivery of learning, with all classes available to students
- COVID-19 safety procedures will remain in place: daily screening, physical distancing, masks (JK- Gr. 8), hand washing and staff will be wearing personal protective equipment
- Students will attend school five days per week, with 300 minutes of instruction per day. Common areas such as gymnasiums and libraries will be open to students, outdoor education will be implemented where possible.
- Before and After School programs will be available at specific school sites
- Gradual return to regular operations as possible, based on public health guidance
Elementary Virtual School
- Kindergarten to Grade 8 programs will be offered in the Wellington Catholic Virtual School
- Students will be combined with students from various schools into remote classes
- The Elementary Virtual School will include live synchronous learning with a dedicated teacher
- Students will have a 300-minute scheduled school day with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning using the D2L platform and Microsoft Teams meetings
- Students will be scheduled for synchronous learning based on Ministry guidelines (e.g. 225 minutes– Gr 1-8; 180 minutes – Kindergarten)
- Attendance will be taken daily
- Adult supervision at home is required
- Students will be enrolled in the virtual school for the full school year
Families were asked to pre-register for the Virtual School in the spring. If you missed the pre-registration and wish to register for the Elementary Virtual School, please complete the following registration survey- Elementary Virtual School Registration. Registration is open until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 16, 2021.
Secondary Learning Models
In-Person Learning
- Secondary schools will provide daily in-person learning for the full duration of the school day. All programs will be available to students in-person.
- A Quadmester model with two periods per day will be in place for the first half of the school year and may change in the second half and may change in the second half of the year based on Ministry direction and public health guidance
- COVID-19 safety procedures will be in place: daily screening, physical distancing, masks, hand washing and staff will be wearing personal protective equipment
- Gradual return to regular operations as possible, based on health guidance
Secondary Virtual Learning
- Virtual students will participate in courses through e-learning, hybrid courses, or other virtual learning models and will be offered at the student’s grade level and pathway
- Guidance staff will confirm student course timetables. Changes to course options may be required as needed
- Students will participate in 225 live online minutes (synchronous) instruction/day between 2 courses per day
- Attendance is taken and required each day in both In-Person and Full Remote Learning
- Students will be enrolled in the virtual course until the end of the quadmester. Opportunities to return to in-person learning will be provided at that time.
Families were asked to pre-register for the Virtual School in the spring. If you missed the pre-registration and wish to register for the Secondary School Virtual program, please complete the following registration survey- Secondary Virtual School Registration. Registration is open until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 16, 2021.
We will be continuing to review the Ministry of Education guidelines provided and will be consulting with officials from our local public health unit as we prepare for the return to school in September. Additional information will be shared when available.