With the recent announcement of the extension to remote learning there is continued focus on ensuring students and families are supported in their learning needs. Over the last week we have all experienced successes, challenges (wi-fi!) and some moments of humour in the mix. As we head into the next learning period staff will continue to provide a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning for students over the week, as directed by the Ministry of Education.

Please also note that the government support for learners was extended this week to include students older than 12 years old. Applications open Jan 11th for this, see link below.

Sending strong wi-fi connection wishes to all of our learners, our staff and families this week : )

Your Lancaster Team

The board has modified how attendance will be taken to recognize that students may be connecting with their virtual classes throughout the day.

• Teachers will take attendance at 2:30 pm by checking to see if students have been engaging in any part of the day's learning. For example, if students submitted work to google classroom, participated in a class meet, or worked on a provided remote learning program, they will be deemed as attending the remote class.
• If your child is sick and cannot engage in remote learning, parents should enter an absence as usual using the SafeArrival App.
  
• You will receive an attendance call between 2:35 pm and 3:15 pm if your child did not engage in any part of the learning that day unless you have entered an absence in SafeArrival.
• Please contact your child's teachers if your child is having difficulty connecting to remote learning, or if on that day your child will be engaging in learning after the school day is over.
• For more information on how to report student absences, please follow the link below

• If you need a device (K-3 ipad/chromebook or 4-8 chromebook) for a student in your home, please email lancd@limestone.on.ca as soon as possible with your child's full name and name of classroom teacher, and also notify your child’s classroom teacher of this request when they contact families on Monday.
• We will be distributing devices from the office as needed - families will be contacted after we receive your request.
• Connection instructions and IT support information will be provided with your borrowed devices.

The Government of Ontario is providing one-time funding for parents to help offset costs during the 2020-2021 school year. Eligible parents or guardians will receive a one-time payment of:

• $200 for each student up to age 12
• $250 for each student or youth up to age 21 with special needs
• NEW $200 for student age 13 to Grade 12 including students who are in secondary school that are over age 18

Applications open on Monday, January 11, 2021. The deadline to apply is February 8, 2021. Learn more on the government’s Support for Learners webpage liked below.

Learn how to:

• Set up a SchoolMessenger App account: set up your account, review your contact information and communication preferences, join teacher-instant messaging groups, and view all your alerts and messages in one place. Watch the video tutorial.
  
• Use the Communicate broadcast tool: choose how you will receive alerts including how to opt-in for text messaging. Watch the video tutorial.

• Use the Board mobile app: how to choose your schools, see your messages and report and review student absences. Watch the video tutorial.

• Subscribe to school calendars: receive email alerts or download calendars or individual events to your personal calendar