May 26 - Remote Learning 2021-22

May 26, 2021

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

The Halton District School Board looks forward to welcoming students back for full day learning in September. All students currently enrolled in Virtual Elementary Schools have been automatically registered at their home school for in-person learning for September 2021. The Ministry of Education requires school boards to provide In-person and Remote learning options. Parents/guardians who would like their child to continue in virtual learning must complete the Remote Learning Registration Form. As you contemplate the decision to have your child(ren) return to In-Person learning or continue in Remote learning for next year, I offer some further information to help you make an informed decision.

Also, you can find additional information and FAQs on the HDSB website:

https://hdsb.ca/students/Pages/Health%20and%20Well-Being/COVID-19/Return-to-School-Sept-2021.aspx

Regards,

Mr. Kaiser

Principal

Virtual School Elementary - East

Why do we have to make the decision now?

Planning for a new school year takes an incredible amount of time and preparation. By starting now, schools and teachers will be better prepared to start the new school year for all students with a full range of instructional subjects (e.g., French, Phys. Ed., and other subjects start the first week of school) and educational supports ready.

Will there be a Virtual School Elementary - East next year?

No, there will not be a separate virtual school next year.

The delivery model of Remote learning is being decentralized to the local school level. Depending on the number of students from a specific school selecting remote learning, there may be Remote learning classes added to your local home school. Students will be placed in Remote classes based on available space in their home school or at other school locations.

What happens if there is no Remote learning class available for my child’s grade in my home school?

If no Remote class is available in your child’s home school, students will be transferred to a school with an available spot in a Remote class. This Remote class could be attached to any other school in the School District. The student would become part of that new school for the duration of Remote learning. Also, if all siblings from the same family select Remote learning, it could be possible that siblings would join different schools based on class availability.

What does the Remote (virtual) instructional model look like for next school year?

Remote teaching will look the same as it has this year. Remote classes will have a “homeroom” teacher who teaches remotely. There may be other teachers (ie, French, Phys. Ed., etc) that have assignments where they teach In-person and Remote classes but NOT at the same time. JK/SK students will still have a minimum of 180 of synchronous (live time with teacher/DECE) instruction per day. Grades 1-8 will have a minimum of 225 of synchronous instruction per day.

Can I change my mind later after I initially decide before June 1?

While the remote registration remains open, parents can change their decision. You have until Tuesday, June 1, 2021 11:59 p.m. to select Remote learning for next school year. Resubmit the form if you change your mind. The most recent submission will be used as your final decision.

After Tuesday, June 1, 2021 11:59 p.m., all decisions are final and can’t be changed.

If you wish your child(ren) to attend in-person, you have no action to take. If you wish Remote learning, ensure you register by Tuesday, June 1, 2021 11:59 p.m.

When can I switch the learning model for my child?

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will have the opportunity to switch in Mid-October. There will be another switch opportunity at the end of January.

What would the school hours for Remote learning next year?

School hours would be based on the school hours of the host school for the remote learning class. This could result in different school hours for multiple children in the same family if placed in different host schools for Remote learning.

Can my child be living outside of Halton and be in a Remote Learning class next school year?

No, all students are expected to be physically living in Halton to participate in Remote learning. Exceptions would be granted for students attending a Halton school based on our optional attendance process. The optional attendance process is still dependent on physically living near Halton.

For students not physically returning to Halton next year, parent(s)/student(s) should be notifying their home school. These students will not be placed into classes (in-person/remote) for next year until living in Halton again.

Will there be French Immersion Remote learning classes?

For students in French Immersion, HDSB will make every effort to provide instruction in French.

Will there be educational support available for my child in Remote learning?

All appropriate educational supports will be provided from available supports from the school where the Remote learning class is hosted from.

Can parents provide input for class building for next school year?

Unfortunately, we (virtual school) can’t gather input from parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding class building for the next school year. Parent(s)/guardian(s) wishing to provide input should contact your respective home school Principal regarding whether it is possible or not to provide information.

When will we find out which class (and if appropriate, Remote class host school) would our child be attending in September?

The first day of school next year is Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Home schools will be contacting parent(s)/guardian(s) by Friday, September 3 with teacher/class information for 2021/22. Students changing schools for another Remote class will most likely be contacted by their new host school at that time.

What is my child’s home school?

Your child’s home school is based on your current address in Halton. This would be the school your child would normally attend in-person.