December 31, 2020
Dear NNDSB Parents/Guardians,
We hope that you are enjoying some much-deserved rest and relaxation during the winter break. As we look forward to the start of the new year, we would like to take this opportunity to share additional information with you related to the reopening of schools in January 2021.
As you know, on December 21, the Ontario government announced changes to return to school plans for all schools following the break. Further to the information shared on December 23, 2020, we would like to share some additional details.
Elementary and Secondary Students Attending In-Person School
As mentioned previously, for the period of January 4-8, 2021, learning for all students will take place virtually and schools will be closed to students, with the exception of special education students in system classes and specialized classes. School staff will meet the morning of January 4 and educators will check-in with families before the end of the day. Virtual instruction will begin on January 5, 2021.
Based on current information from the ministry, students attending school in-person for face-to-face (F2F) learning will return to in-person learning at schools on January 11, 2021.
Elementary and Secondary Students Attending Virtual School
As a reminder, for students in virtual school, teaching and learning will continue as previously planned without changes. Your regular learning timetable will be followed beginning January 5, 2021.
Special Education – System classes/Specialized Program classes
All high-needs, special education students in system classes/specialized program classes will attend remotely on January 4th, 5th and possibly the 6th. Teachers of specialized class programs will be contacting families who had previously selected in-school learning to determine if they would like to return to in-school learning or to continue remote learning until all in-school learning resumes. Parents/guardians, and students where appropriate, are encouraged to select the option that would best meet the needs of their youth and family. Efforts will be made to ensure that regular transportation will be available for in-school learners in fully self-contained specialized programs K-12 classes commencing on the date agreed upon by the school, family and transportation consortium (if required).
More information regarding the return to in-person learning for students in special education programming will be shared by your child’s teacher.
Technology Distribution
We realize that some of our students will need to borrow a device from the school in order to learn from home. If your child has no other access to a device for at-home learning, please mention this to your child’s teacher or principal. We will do our best to distribute available devices as soon as possible. We recognize many of our families will be sharing one home device, and we are planning with this in mind.
Online Learning Resources
Please continue to refer to our Near North Passport to Learning website which offers a variety of resources and tools that cover a range of grades and subjects that may be helpful for students and parents during this time. Resources will continue to be updated and expanded upon on an ongoing basis, including mental health supports for students and families.
Click here to access our Near North Passport to Learning website: https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/learning-at-home/
The Ministry of Education recently announced the launch of two new portals, TVO Learn and TFOIDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison, which provide supports for students learning remotely by accessing additional educational resources developed by Ontario certified teachers.
In addition, secondary students can continue to access TVO’s Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House and Portes ouvertes pour les cours TVO ILC in French-language, which provide access to 144 Grade 9 to 12 courses. These ILC resources are designed to provide flexible learning opportunities to help students keep up with their learning or deepen their understanding of a specific subject.
Please continue to visit https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/ for updates.
Thank you for your ongoing support for public education and cooperation as we all do our best to minimize the transmission of COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Craig Myles
Director of Education
