By rdnewsNOW Staff

Learning From Home

Grade 7-9 classes at seven Red Deer Catholic schools shifting to online learning

Apr 26, 2021 | 1:57 PM

Grade 7 – 9 classes at seven Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) will be shifting temporarily to online learning starting April 27.

In a letter sent to parents and guardians on Monday, district officials say the decision was made with the best interests of students in mind.

“The cases this past weekend have impacted many staff and students, resulting in a shortage of substitute teachers,” reads the letter from Kathleen Finnigan, Superintendent of Schools. “As we continue to receive positive COVID-19 alerts from Alberta Health Services, we realize that we must take action to ensure we are able to keep substitute teachers in front of our Kindergarten to Grade 6 students where possible. Ideally, we would like to keep all students in a face-to-face classroom and we are hopeful that with this temporary shift we will be able to mitigate some of the transmission of COVID-19.”

The temporary online learning scenario will run from Apr. 27 – May 7, with in-person learning hoped to resume on May 10.

Schools impacted by the operational shift include:

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• St. Francis of Assisi Middle School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
• St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
• St. Patrick’s Community School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
• École Camille J Lerouge School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
• St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
• St. Gregory the Great Catholic School (Grade 7 to Grade 9 – Extended to May 7)
• École Mother Teresa School (Grade 7-Grade 9: English and French classes)

RDCRS students from Grade 7 to Grade 9 will be offered online learning following a weekly class schedule so that students can work directly with their teachers throughout the day.

“Transitioning of school supplies, textbooks and Chromebooks will occur on Monday, April 26,” says Finnigan. “More details about online learning structures will be communicated to your child in their regular scheduled classes online on Tuesday, April 27, with their teacher. This will ensure that we will be able to keep moving forward with the curriculum and continue the strong learning that is happening within classes.”

“Your child’s homeroom teacher will contact families via email this evening with further details,” adds Finnigan. “Please know that this decision was not made lightly and, as we continue to realize the strains that COVID-19 places on us, we need to be flexible with our decision making and place our students and their learning at the center of all conversations.”

“We will support your family with technology if your child requires it,” continues Finnigan. “Scheduling for technology pick-up will be available beginning tomorrow. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, school counsellors, and school administrators for additional support or clarification.”