December 23, 2020
Dear NNDSB Parents/Guardians,
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Monday that a province-wide shut down will begin on December 26th. This means both elementary and secondary schools will be closed to students, with the expectation of “in-class” learning resuming on January 11th.
Schools will be closed to students except for high needs special needs students. Students in special education classrooms as identified through the IPRC process and are currently placed in alternative programs in system classrooms will be able to continue to access face-to-face programming in their schools commencing on January 5th. Educators will reach out to the families of these students on January 4th to make the necessary arrangements.
Near North students will continue to be provided with remote learning opportunities from their educators starting January 4th, 2021. Your child’s teacher will be in contact on January 4 regarding the need for technology requests.
During this time, access to schools will only be permitted through the school’s principal for urgent circumstances.
Please 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.
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.
Student Transportation
Because both elementary and secondary students will be learning remotely the first week in January, no student transportation services will occur January 4-8, 2021. Once elementary and secondary schools resume in-class instruction scheduled on January 11, 2021, student transportation services will resume.
Child Care Centres in Schools
The ministry has directed us to continue to provide access to our childcare centres located within school sites and recreational and skill-building programs when those programs are permitted to operate.
Regular updates will be posted to NNDSB’s website: nearnorthschools.ca. As always, check with your school(s) principal.
NNDSB thanks you for your continued understanding as we navigate this storm together. As new information becomes available, we will share those with you.
Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your holidays.
Jay Aspin Craig Myles
Chair of the Board Director of Education
