HWDSB distributing tablets and laptops so all students can learn with schools closed

Chris D'Angelica hasn't been to school for more than a month and it hasn't been easy for him, but on Thursday he was outside Glenwood Special Day School, waiting for what could be the difference between keeping and losing all the progress he's made.

The 17-year-old in Grade 11 was one of roughly 6,000 HWDSB students receiving tablets, laptops or other devices this week to help with e-learning as COVID-19 keeps classrooms closed. An additional 1,000 will also get devices with Internet access next week.

It's an effort by the board to keep students learning at the same rate before the virus shuttered schools and emptied hallways.

And it had to be done carefully and with social distancing in mind.

Glenwood principal Todd Graves stood outside of his school Thursday morning wearing gloves and standing next to a table covered in laptops and tablets.

He waited as families arrived to collect the devices and bring them home to start e-learning.

They sat in their idle vehicles as Graves carefully walked around the vehicles, let the trunks pop open and put the bags inside before waving goodbye.

Chris D'Angelica and his mother Melanie saw Graves before picking up a tablet. But Chris' situation is different. He's non-verbal and has behavioural issues.

"It's twice, three times a day we go through a daily battle in the house, things get broken, people get hurt and it's tough," Melanie said.

Graves gave Chris an iPad, called a "talker," that he said acts as "Chris's voice."

"Chris is learning how to communicate, so it actually speaks for him. What we don't want to happen at this time is for him to lose that ability," Graves said.

"The first few weeks were a challenge for parents, but I think they're feeling a sense of relief now."

But Chris is also behind in school.

Manny Figueiredo, HWDSB director of education, told CBC News teacher-led virtual learning started last week and 1,000 students will have to wait until next week to get new, Internet-enabled devices.

But getting students caught up wasn't his only concern, listing other issues such as providing food programs, social services and —most of all — the fullest chance to learn for each student.

"I'm proud of the work that is being done, but I'm also realizing there are student needs that are going to be challenging to address as well. This remote digital world meets the needs of many, but not all, so I worry a little bit about that," Figueiredo said.

While most of the students received laptops or iPads, other students at Glenwood received visual planners, leg braces and FM scanners to help them learn from home.

Melanie said she already had an iPad from HWDSB, she said they were never shown how to use it and Chris didn't like it. 

But the new tablet, on top of daily, ongoing discussions with his teacher, give Chris a chance to get his learning back on track.

"It's harder for these guys because they don't understand. Chris doesn't understand why he can't go on the playground or stores," Melanie said.

"But it's brought us out of our shell as well and made us a little more close with how to work with Chris a lot better."