Monday March 30 was to be the first day back to school after spring break.
But with classes cancelled for the foreseeable future, teachers in Tumbler Ridge are trying to figure out how to do school with kids not able to come to school.
On March 17, the government of BC suspended K-12 classes due to ongoing concerns around COVID-19. The Ministry of Education is directing all schools to suspend in-school instruction “until further notice,” including private schools.
This closure also includes school playgrounds.
“The difficult decision has been made to suspend K-12 learning in BC Classrooms at this time,” Premier John Horgan announced at a press conference. “The decision on how to return will be made in partnership with school districts and independent schools.”
Horgan was joined on stage by Minister of Education Rob Fleming. “As the minister of education, one of my responsibilities is kids and staff and families involved in the school communities are kept as safe as possible, in all our communities right across British Columbia,” said Fleming. “We’re used to schools being safe space, where kids learn and grow and socialize, but as global pandemic COVID-19 is evolving quickly and is having a growing impact in British Columbia, we have to take action to protect our students. Today, under the direction of the Provincial Health Officer, we are directing all schools to immediately suspend in class instruction until further notice.”
Now that spring break has ended, teachers have returned to work, and are expected to plan for continuity of learning. “It is important to know that while in-classroom instruction is being suspended, our school system will not be closed – we will remain open to continue to support students and families in a variety of ways,” says Fleming. “We want to assure you that the health and safety of your families and our communities is the highest priority, and this is at the forefront of all of government’s decision making. “We want you to know that every student will receive a final mark, and all students who are on track to move to the next grade will do so in the fall. For grades 10 and 11 students, graduation assessments that were scheduled for April will be postponed.”
Every student eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate, he says. “The only graduation assessment required for current Grade 12 students is the Grade 10 numeracy assessment, and we will ensure students who are on track to graduate but haven’t yet completed this assessment will have the opportunity to meet this requirement. We are also ensuring all students graduating high school will have a smooth transition to post-secondary.”
Candace Clouthier, SD59 Superintendent says the last few weeks have been difficult for everyone. “I don’t believe there is anyone in our community who has not been impacted by the COVID -19 pandemic,” she writes in an open letter to the community. “Our thoughts are with all of our students and families as they cope with the changes and restrictions we now live under.”
She say district staff has been working over spring break to put plans in place as they begin the process of providing education differently in the coming weeks. “As you are aware, K-12 in-class instruction has been suspended following Spring Break,” she says. “Staff…will begin to plan for continued instruction. The buildings will not be open to the public as we endeavor to ensure the workplace is safe for our staff.”
She says the form that this will take is not yet known. “We know that you have many questions and we continue to ask for your patience. As this situation is rapidly evolving we are continually implementing procedures and safety protocols and continue to plan to provide learning outside of regular classrooms.”
Fleming says not all students have access to online resources. “Since there are many students who will have challenges working online, we’ve also asked schools to look at a variety of approaches for continued learning that will fit with your individual needs and situation,” he says. “Your school leaders are actively working on these plans and we anticipate they will be ready with more specific continued learning opportunities for your community in the coming weeks. You can expect to hear from your school principals shortly.”
Clouthier says parents can expect to hear from teachers or school over the next little while to figure out the best methods of continuing education. “We know that many of you are concerned about getting your child’s belongings that were left in the school. Teachers will inform you of a plan for getting those items to you on a scheduled basis.”
School District 59 Board Chair Chad Anderson says he admires the efforts of staff. “I deeply admire the tireless efforts they are making to rapidly redesign public education to meet the challenge we face, which is to provide continuity of learning during a suspension of in-class instruction,” says Anderson. “I am constantly amazed at the dedication of every staff member in our district. Their professional and personal commitment to your child’s education holds firm.”
He thanks parents and students for their patience during this time of sudden transition. “I encourage you to take time to thank your teachers and staff for the passion and effort they will be investing to make this a successful school year for your child, pandemic or not! Please remind your children their teachers will be thinking of them as they plan a new way of learning outside of our usual buildings.”
Clouthier says parents and students will be kept in the loop as decisions are made around education. “As teachers work through a continuation of education plan, know that they will have guidelines regarding curriculum and expectations of time or volume of work. There will also be arrangements for work to be returned and assessed. Some of this may be on-line or through work packages. We know this may be particularly challenging and stressful time for our students in Grade 12. We will be working to support our Grade 12’s in completing their requirements for graduation and hope those students will be able to celebrate their graduation in a meaningful way.”
“We don’t have all the answers,” says Fleming. “We are in a fast moving situation, and we must work together to meet the needs of students and school communities.”
He says it’s important for parents and guardians to talk to their kids. “Let kids know the steps that have been announced happening,” he says. “Let them know they’re designed to protect them and the people most vulnerable to Covid-19: elders, seniors, their grandparents.”
“This is a crisis situation,” said the premier. “I want to commend those who are taking appropriate actions for themselves, their families and their businesses.”
Teachers will be in contact with parents and/or students, but Clouthier recommends people keep an eye on the website for the most up to date information.
For parents who want to ensure their kids are still learning, the government has put additional resources online. Visit www.openschool.bc.ca/KeepLearning. This is a central place where parents can find a list of free, everyday educational activities for every age, designed to support the BC curriculum. There is also a comprehensive set of frequently asked questions that will be continuously updated as things progress at
www.gov.bc.ca/SafeSchools/.
On Wednesday, April 1, it was announced that the province had purchased a licence to Zoom, a popular conferencing app, which meets BC’s privacy regulations. This should allow teachers to be able to video chat with students.
