Six Nations elementary schools to do remote and virtual learning for September and October
Bobby Hristova | CBC News | Posted: August 26, 2020 4:20 PM | Last Updated: August 26, 2020
Students can learn online or receive paper work packages during September and October
Six Nations elementary school students will use online and remote learning during September and October as classes reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision was made in consultation with the Six Nations Emergency Control Group.
"This decision will be monitored and re-evaluated based on data and Public Health advice prior to November 2020," reads a release Kathleen Manderville, director of Ontario federal schools with Indigenous Services Canada.
It is a drastically different strategy from Hamilton's public and Catholic school boards, which are moving ahead with in-person classes and offering families the option of learning remotely.
The plans in Hamilton school boards have led parents to complain about class sizes, a lack of an outbreak plan, school buses and issues registering students into in-person or online courses.
Here's more back-to-school coverage:
- Help CBC Hamilton's back-to-school coverage
- Here's what a Hamilton classroom will look like during COVID-19
- HWDSB will spend to reduce class sizes and phase in the start of the school year
- Almost 1 in 5 HWDSB students expected to register for online learning
- Hamilton Catholic school board approves phased school reopening and mandatory masking
Staff will be working from school buildings and will be accessible by phone, but those buildings will remain closed for students and the public.
Families had two remote learning options to choose from. The deadline to register was Tuesday.
Students with special needs will get support online or by phone and resources will be prepared for at-home learning as per student and family needs.
The first day of class will be Sept. 3.
Online schooling from home
In this option, students will work with a teacher specifically assigned to remote learning. Students without a tablet at home will receive one from the board. The iPad will be signed out, remain school property, and be managed by the school.
Each student will have 310 minutes of daily learning with whole group guided instruction. They will also have multiple posted lessons, and direct support through daily check in.
Kindergarten students will have two whole group instruction lessons posted online per day. They will also get two synchronous (live-streamed) guided instruction lessons in small groups or one-on-one and a three synchronous check-in sessions in small groups or one-on-one.
Grades 1 to 8 will have four lessons posted per day in addition to everything kindergarten students receive.
Paper only school work
But not all Six Nations families have strong internet connections. Those families can opt into a paper only model.
Teachers and students will communicate over the phone and students will receive weekly work packages organized by grade. Every Monday, families will drop off completed packages on the curb of a designated school and pick up a new package.
The schools will help provide transportation for families that can't make it to schools (but families will need to note that when selecting this option).
Teachers will assign the completion deadlines of these packages. The work booklets will cover the entire curriculum in the same order as other cohorts.
Twice a week, students will need to attend a teleconference. They will also receive one-on-one check-ins by phone two times a week and parents must be part of the call.
Attention parents, students and teachers: We want to hear from you!
We hope you'll use this form to tell us about school conditions, how classes are going or whatever other pressing issues are on your mind this September in Hamilton, Niagara, St. Catharines and Burlington.