Connect Meetings
Week of May 19-22, 2020
Minister of Education's Messaging with Regard to Synchronous Learning
The Board's Synchronous Learning memo is provided below. Synchronous learning has been reported in the media, and is being advocated for by the Education Minister. I can appreciate the need for our kids to see our faces and to interact with us in real time given that so much of what we do normally has changed.
In our meeting, we discussed the importance of using your own professional judgment for synchronous learning. One option would be to consider having another adult participate with you in these sessions.
Excerpt taken from: Ontario's Framework for Continued Learning document:
"We have heard clearly from parents that they expect dynamic live education for their children. The connection between a student, their peers, and their teacher is more important than ever. Two weeks ago, I wrote to school boards and other education sector partners to express my expectation that teachers utilize live teaching— sometimes called ‘synchronous learning’—for entire classes, smaller group settings, or one-on-one interactions. While this is by no means a normal time in your child’s education, it is critically important to allow your child to have access to a school community, support network, and learning experience that is as close to normal as possible. I will continue to advocate for this, as we must strive to do more to serve our children in these extraordinary and tough times."
Custodians
Celebrating Our Students
We discussed whether there are things we need to to consider with regard to graduation or to mark students transitioning from one grade to another.
Ideas shared included scrap book pictures, letters, dropping items off at the students' houses, having families drive by the school, or certificates.
We are looking for consistency in practice, particularly for Grade 8 graduations across the district.
Excerpt taken from: Ontario's Framework for Continued Learning document:
Students have worked incredibly hard this school year, and we know that the COVID-19 outbreak has forced some schools to cancel or delay important milestones to recognize student achievement, such as prom and graduation ceremonies.
Although we are making great efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario, it may still be some time before schools and boards are able to offer the kinds of ceremonies and traditions in the same way they have in previous years. We firmly believe Ontario students deserve this positive conclusion to their academic journey, even if ceremonies are delayed.
Planning for Next Year
-Include more time for review at the start of the year.
-Consider in your planning that we may need to transition back to online learning at some point(s) during the year.
Class Lists
-students who may benefit from being together (make sure students have at least one friend with them in next year's class placement)
-students who may need a break from another peer
-known parent preferences
-a balance of boys and girls
-a balance of academic needs
-the number of students with IEP's
-the child's learning style and which classroom environment you feel would be most beneficial to the students' learning.
I will be sending out a letter to families which will outline a process for parents to make class requests. I will ask for requests to be in by June 3.
We decided that divisions would work on this and that Meghan would create a Google Sheet to help us organize the lists. Thanks Meghan!