15 E du c ati o n / YO U T H Surrey School District shared its plan to safely return to in-class instruction Muharrum 23,1442H
September 11, 2020
Dear Community Members;
F
irst of all, I would like to take a moment to thank all of you. These last few months have been challenging times for everyone. As we move into September, many families are preparing for the next big hurdle – return to school. Undoubtedly, there has been a lot of information, a long list of concerns expressed and now several options available to families. With this newsletter, we will try to breakdown the various options available to Surrey students and parents for the start of the 2020/2021 Academic year. On August 26th, the Surrey School District shared its plan to safely return to in-class instruction. These plans reflect the measures put forth by provincial health experts and the Ministry of Education and include the important steps schools will take to safely welcome students back in September. In response to parent feedback and concerns, a new option was introduced that will be available to families that are not ready to have their child return to full-time face to face instruction when school begins next week but want their children to remain enrolled in their current schools. This newsletter will present a basic overview of the current approved plans that are in place for the upcoming school year. The Ministers of Education and Health have worked collaboratively with the various school districts, the BCTF (BC Teachers Federation), parent groups and support staff to develop this plan. I know this has been a challenging process for all involved and that so much uncertainty leaves many feeling anxious and scared but I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly throughout the summer to develop guidelines and plans in place so that our children can return to learning in these challenging times. Families are expected to have received communication from the school where students are enrolled. Please take the time to respond to your school so that your school can best plan for your child’s return. If you are looking at enrolling in the new blended transition programs that are offered, it is essential that you fill out the form and return it to your neighbourhood school no later than September 8th at 4:00 pm.
for wear. Students will be required to wear masks on buses, entering and leaving the school and in high traffic areas. Masks are not mandated in the classroom. https://news.gov.bc.ca/ releases/2020EDUC0045-001542
COHORTS
A cohort is a group of students and staff who will remain together throughout a school term. Within the cohort, minimized physical contact will be encouraged where possible but a two metre physical distance does not need to be maintained. Cohorts will include students, teachers, support staff and educational assistants.
HEALTH & SAFETY ORIENTATION
Individual schools will be sending out schedules for a student orientation where teacher will communicate new procedures for the school year. Students will learn about the importance of their cohorts and how to interact within their cohort and with individuals outside of their cohorts. Hand hygiene, minimizing physical contact and how to safely enter and exit the school will all be covered during this initial meeting. https://www.surreyschools.ca/covid19/ healthsafety/Pages/default.aspx
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SD #36
Students at the elementary school level will be in school full time for face to face classes, five days a week. At some schools, particularly in Surrey Panorama, school start and end times, as well as recess and lunch breaks may be staggered. There will be cohort limited class sizes will be limited wherever possible and cohort size will not exceed 60 staff and students.
SURREY BLENDED: AN ELEMENTARY TRANSITION PROGRAM
For parents of elementary aged students, who are not comfortable having their children return to full time face to face instruction in September, there is a new option, Surrey Blended. Students will be enrolled in their neighbourhood school and will not lose their spot if they choose to enroll in Surrey Blended. This program will support families with the intent of gradual transition back to full time face to face learning by January 2021. This program will be a combination of online learning, teacher collaboration time, parent support and in-class learning. Every morning, students will have MASKS targeted and required online learning. One Funding has been provided to school dis- afternoon a week, teacher will work with tricts across the province and each student their colleagues across the district to share will be provided with two reusable masks best practices and develop resources to fully
support a blended program. One afternoon a week, parents will have time to connect . with teachers to learn how to best support online learning at home. Initially, students will be in-class one afternoon a week with their cohort for face to face learning. This will gradually be increased to three afternoons a week, with the goal of a full time return by January. Parents will need to register for this program before 4 pm on Sept 8, 2020. Registrations received after this date will be placed on a waitlist. https://www.surreyschools.ca/covid19/ backtoschool/Documents/SSC_Elem_ Upon completion, school staff will contact families and work with them to identify best Blended.pdf SECONDARY SCHOOL, GRADE 8 & 9 options. Students entering grade 8 or grade 9 will be https://sailacademy.ca/programs/sail-online/ in cohort groups of approximately 60 stu- GRADES 10, 11 & 12, GRADUATE dents and staff combined. Students will have PROGRAM STUDENTS 2 classes per quarter (10 weeks) for a total of Students in grades 10-12 will also be on a 8 classes completed by the end of the school quarter model with 2 classes per quarter year. This program provides maximum (10 weeks ), with a total of 8 courses besupport for the younger students, who ing offered throughout the year. They will need it most. be arranged in cohorts of approximately 30 Start times, breaks and lunch time as well as students and staff combined. Students will dismissal times will be staggered to ensure be on a blended model with a combination minimal contact. There will be no more of one in person class and one online class than 60 % of the population in the school where small groups will attend in person for any given lunch period. one day a week. There will be time built into https://www.surreyschools.ca/covid19/ the blended program to allow teachers time backtoschool/Pages/sec.aspx to prepare, deliver and support students. GRADE 8 & 9 TRANSITION PROGRAM This model offers a blended program for Like elementary schools, there is a second- students who may be concerned, however ary transition program offered for parents SAIL ( see under gr 8 & 9 Transition Proand/or students who do not feel comfort- gram) is also an option for families who do able with full time face to face instruction. not feel comfortable returning to face to Online learning will be offered through the face instruction. district’s online learning school, SAIL – Sur- Latest update from Superintendent Jordan Tinney rey Academy of Innovative Learning. https://sailacademy.ca/programs/sail-online/ This program will keep student on pace with I N D E P E N D E N T / P R I V A T E their grade level until they can transition SCHOOLS back to in person instruction. If a student This group of schools is required to follow chooses this option, they will be withdrawn the health and safety protocols as outlined from their first two courses but will remain by the Ministry of Health. They were also registered at their school. Students will rerequired to submit a return to school plan tain their other courses as scheduled and that had to be approved by the province. can choose to return to face to face classes How these schools elect to deliver their eduat the beginning of the 2nd or 3rd quarter. cation is not mandated by the province and Students attending SAIL will spend the mait is up to the each school to choose what jority of their time at home and parents will options they offer. Neither blended proneed to dedicate some time for support and grams nor online options are required and guidance. Also, courses offered will focus it is up to individual schools to offer or not on core subjects, with possible opportunity offer alternate learning delivery. for Physical Education and French (FSL). & INVESTMENTS. ................. No electives will be offered. Jinny Sims, MLA Surrey- Panorama To enroll in SAIL, parents will need to comSincerely, plete the online form by September 8th
Sending kids safely back to the classroom
By: By Rob Fleming
VICTORIA - A new school year unlike any other begins in just a few days. I know living through the pandemic is a worry for all of us. But I know many people, especially students, are excited about heading back to school, to connect with teachers and friends. Health experts predict we will be living with COVID-19 for months to come. We must show young British Columbians that’s it’s ok to be concerned, but it’s also ok to keep learning and growing and stay connected to school and friends. Schools are going to look different this year, schedules are going to be different and classrooms are going to be different.
What has not changed is our government’s commitment to the health and safety of students and staff. Our ministry and schools are taking science-based, public-health advice and planning to have as many children as possible back in classrooms this September. Schools are the best places for students. There is no substitute for in-class learning and, more than that, we know there are unintended negative consequences when children are not in school for extended periods of time. To support schools during this pandemic, we have provided a new, one-time provincial investment of $45.6 million in COVID-19 specific funding to ensure our schools are safe for students and staff. We have ordered 1.5 million reusable face masks - that’s two masks for every student and staff member. We have provided funds to school districts to buy more cleaning supplies, to hire more custodial staff and to enhance and expand handwashing stations. Plus, the federal government is supporting our efforts with an additional $242.4
million. This funding will support school districts to hire more teachers and support staff to help students whether they are learning remotely or in the classroom, to purchase more software licences and electronic course materials or textbooks, to help supply computers or tablets for the families who need them and to create additional WiFi hubs in remote and Indigenous communities, or provide internet access for families. This funding will also allow schools to expand their health and safety measures, improve ventilation in buildings, purchase more personal protective equipment, install plexiglass barriers and hire even more custodial and support staff. Every dollar of the provincial and federal funding will benefit students in B.C. School districts are reporting the majority of students are heading back to the classroom. For those who are not, I’ve directed school districts to be flexible and work with families to provide remote options that keep children connected to their school community. The pandemic has upended our world.
Many families have been making sacrifices to support their children with learning in the spring and throughout the summer, and I thank them. I also thank teachers and education assistants who have been getting their classes and lesson plans ready; principals, viceprincipals and school administrators who have connected with families to make sure they know about learning groups and what to expect in the classroom; and school support staff who are doing everything needed to keep schools clean and safe. Our government is steadfast in its promise to work together with school communities, to respond quickly and appropriately throughout the pandemic and to focus on health and safety while delivering the highest quality education possible to students who deserve us to be at our best now and always. B.C. remains one of the safest places in the world because we are in this together. Let’s continue to look out for each other - working and learning safely in school this year. Contact: Ministry of Education
