(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

back to the books

School divisions readying to resume teaching despite COVID-19

Mar 19, 2020 | 4:51 PM

Red Deer’s two largest school divisions are preparing to release a slew of school material for students banned from attending classes due to COVID-19.

Staff at Red Deer Public Schools have been working hard and say they will start sharing material on Monday (March 23).

Activity-based learning will be the focus for kindergarteners, literacy and numeracy for elementary students, core subject areas for middle school students, and for high schools, timetable courses with a priority for core academics.

“To our Red Deer Public families, on behalf of staff across the district, please know that we are thinking about you and your children. We miss having them in classes and wish we were learning together,” says Stu Henry, superintendent of schools.

“Teachers will be providing daily materials for students. We estimate that to be two hours per day for elementary and middle school students. High school time will vary depending on the course students are taking.”

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For Red Deer Public, work could include actual face time with teachers by utilizing a program like Google Hangouts. The division says it isn’t going to neglect students and families who have less access to technology.

“In connecting with families, we have been checking their access and availability to technology. Most of our families are in a good position,” the district says. “For those who don’t, we are making alternative lesson materials, and in certain circumstances we will also share Chromebooks with students who are able to access Wi-Fi.”

At Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, the message and procedures are going to be much the same.

“We want to make sure we’re building connections first. We’re used to seeing our children every day, saying hello, and finding out what they did on the weekend,” says Kathleen Finnigan, interim superintendent of schools. “We could inundate our students and their families with a massive amount of information, but we want to bring it to them at a really good pace in order to not overwhelm them.”

Finnigan says learning will take place through platforms like Moodle, FlipGrid, and Google Classroom — and just like at Red Deer Public, families who may have lesser access to technology will be loaned a Chromebook.

“I want to give huge kudos to our educators because they are really taking on this challenge and are excited about new learning. There’s a sense of pride in all teachers across Alberta, and you’ll really see how much they care for their students and families, and ensuring learning continues,” says Finnigan.

“We’re all in this together.”

UPDATE: The Alberta Government announced Friday that it is cancelling all diploma exams.