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Online Learning Information - Elementary 2022-23

If you are considering online learning for your child for the 2022-23 school year, the information below can help you determine the model that best suits your child’s needs.

In-Person Learning

All elementary programs will be offered
Grand Erie Special Education programs will be offered*
Before and After School programs will be available at specific school sites

* If your child is in a self-contained classroom, complete this declaration if you are choosing online learning for the 2022-23 school year. The current model for self-contained students in online learning will NOT continue in the 2022-23 school year. Students in self-contained classes who choose online learning will be registered in a designated virtual school self-contained classroom. Your child will no longer remain in their existing self-contained classroom. Your child will be expected to remain in the online learning classroom for the entire 2022-23 school year. In-year return to in-person learning in a self-contained classroom will be dependent on space available. The virtual self-contained program has high expectations for student participation and learning. Students will be expected to be online for the full school day, with breaks built in specific to individual student need.

Online Learning

Kindergarten to Grade 8 programs will be offered online
Students will use Brightspace as a digital learning platform with Teams as the synchronous (live) option
Students will receive 180 minutes (Kindergarten) and 225 minutes (Grades 1-8) of synchronous (live) instruction each day
Students will combine from various schools into online classes
For the 2022-2023 school year, elementary students who declare their intent for online learning may become a student at a different Grand Erie school which may not be their in- person learning home school
Potential for larger class sizes
Adult supervision at home is required

Note: Attendance is taken and required each day in both in-person and online learning.

Making the Best Decision For Your Child

As families consider the learning model for the 2022-23 school year:

Consider your child’s strengths as a learner. It is important to consider your child’s ability to use technology independently for both whole group and small group activities.
Consider your child’s need for peer interaction. Many students benefit from being in-person and connecting with peers at recess and breaks.
Consider your family’s ability to support supervision of online learners during the day. Engagement, participation and building relationships with their remote peers and staff are critical to student success.
Online students will not be able to engage through in-person clubs, teams and events however online learning staff will be encouraged to consider opportunities that may be able to be provided virtually.

Screen Time/Synchronous Instruction

For effective instruction, our Grand Erie educators teach in large and small groups settings through an online Teams meeting. This is provided in synchronous (live) meeting times. It is important to recognize this time is established for teacher instruction and an opportunity for teachers to engage in assessment of students’ knowledge and skills.

Technology

24_cloud server.png Grand Erie is committed to supporting all families who declare online learning as their child’s learning model for the year. If needed, Grand Erie will provide a loaned laptop and if needed, an Internet-enabled device. Your child’s home school can assist with these requests. D2L Brightspace and Teams will continue to be the primary platforms used for online learning.

Family Support for Learning

Parent/guardian support is always important but is particularly essential when students do not have in- person connections with school staff. A quiet space to work with minimal distraction is important for success in a virtual learning environment. It is important that elementary parents and guardians ensure supervision for online learners who require it during the school day.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Families should consider their child’s extra-curricular interests and how those needs can be addressed outside of school. It will not be possible for students learning online to participate in extra-curriculars at their home school.

Change of Home School

For the 2022-23 school year, elementary students who declare their intent for online learning may need to become a student at a different Grand Erie school which is not their in-person learning home school. Students in online learning will become a student at this school for the year, with all of the supports (e.g. Administration, Learning Resource Teacher, Educational Assistants, MLL Teacher) being provided by this designated school. When students learning online return to in-person learning, they will be registered back at their in-person learning home school. There is no action for parents/ families for these changes to occur.

Declaration for the School Year 2022-23

Grand Erie is committed to our students’ success. Movement of students between learning models is disruptive to individual and group student success, and impacts our staff’s ability to support our students effectively. Families are asked to declare a learning model that will meet their child’s needs for the full 2022-2023 school year.

Complete the Online Learning Declaration Form if you choose to enrol your child in online learning for the 2022-23 school year. Families who are unable to complete the form online, may contact their home school for assistance.

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