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May 13, 2020 - 4:14 PM
Parents of elementary school-age children in the Central Okanagan were asked today whether they would be sending their children back to class.
"We are currently in Stage 4 of the Ministry of Education's measured approach to phasing in a return to learning in classrooms no later than June 1. When the Ministry announces a date for return to in-class instruction, we will move to Stage 3, which includes in-class learning for students in elementary schools on a two day per week basis," reads a letter to parents.
"In order to reduce physical contact and ensure distancing, elementary classes will be scheduled into two groups, with one attending Monday and Tuesday and one attending Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, teachers will be supporting the remote learning programs that will look different."
If learning in-class works well for families, the school district will welcome children to safe classrooms. Parents may choose to keep children at home and some online education will be provided to those students.
School board chair Moyra Baxter said earlier in the week that the outreach process would soon be underway.
READ MORE: Expect a call: Central Okanagan schools preparing to welcome kids back
“We realize there will be some parents that want to say no, so what we’re trying to ascertain is how many want to come back, how many want to stay at home, and for the ones that stay at home, we will continue to offer online learning but it won’t be as much probably because a lot of the teachers will be back in school,” she said.
Teachers and staff are currently working from both home and in the classroom, in staggered shifts throughout the week. Classroom learning is currently only being held for students of Tier 1 and Tier 2 essential workers and for roughly 70 “vulnerable” students.
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