A survey conducted by the Wellington Catholic District School Board indicates that over 90 per cent of families are in favour of sending their children back to in-person learning.
All 22 schools in the WCDSB will open to students for 300 minutes of in-person learning, five days a week after the board was directed to reopen its elementary and secondary schools under a conventional model that includes enhanced health and safety protocols.
Grade 1 to Grade 12 students who opted for remote learning should expect to complete 225 minutes of online synchronous learning. Kindergarten students are expected to complete 180 minutes of online synchronous learning.
The conventional model for high school students will follow a concentrated course model with alternating Period 1 and Period 2 courses over a two-week cycle to limit student contacts to two cohorts. The model includes a slightly reduced school day to limit contacts throughout the day with nutrition breaks in between.
“We are grateful for the time and effort our board, school and administrative staff are putting into back to school efforts,” said Mike Glazier, incoming director of education in a press release.
As per ministry guidelines, the board said it has robust and well-maintained HVAC systems with HEPA filters.
The ministry of education announced last week that boards may access their accumulated surplus beyond previously approved limits to support the reduction of class sizes for the new school year.
The WCDSB stated that it plans to use those funds to:
- Reach an approximate average in-person class size below 22 students for elementary students. The funds will also be used towards additional teachers, early childhood educators and outdoor learning.
- Increase staff in secondary schools to achieve smaller class sizes.
- Purchase additional health and safety resources to assist with physical distancing.
- Purchase additional technology to assist teachers and students with synchronous learning.
The board is also creating additional technical and staffing needs to support on-line delivery.
A staggered entry for all grades in the first week of school will allow students to become familiar with the new procedures put in place.
Students in Grade 4 to Grade 12 will be required to wear non-medical or cloth masks while in school as per ministry guidelines. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encouraged but not obligated to wear a mask in indoor spaces.
“While reacting to daily changes from the ministry and always aligning with public health guidance, our focus is health and safety, community building and supporting one another,” said Tyrone Dowling, superintendent of education.
“In the midst of all this change, we will continue to provide the quality and inspired faith-based education families have come to expect from our team.”
