What does the future look like for students?
No one knows when life will return to normal, let alone when kids will return to classrooms.
Last we heard, on Sunday from Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce, schools will remain closed until May 31 due to COVID-19. And while some details are known regarding what the students’ and teachers’ immediate future looks like, questions abound about what June, the summer and then the fall will hold.
The Spectator spoke with Manny Figueiredo, director of education with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, and Pat Daly, chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, to get some answers.
When will students return to school?
Unfortunately, no one knows. On Sunday, Lecce said the next time he provides a school year update will be the “final update,” suggesting students will either return to school in June or school closures will stretch to the end of the school year.
What would a return-to-school look like?
It’s hard to say. Both Daly and Figueiredo say boards will need direction from the province once decisions are made about the school year. But in the meantime, both boards have formed committees looking at return-to-school issues. They are exploring everything from transportation (do students sit one-to-a-bench on school buses?), to the possibility students and staff will need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), to asking how students could safely access lockers.
In Quebec, where elementary students are returning to school in May, there is a maximum of 15 students per class, everyone is expected to stay two metres apart, the return is voluntary and children with medical conditions are to stay home.
What’s happening with proms and grad ceremonies?
They’re cancelled — for now. Figueiredo said the board had to make the tough call last week since vendors were asking for commitments and deposits. The Catholic board says it’s leaving it up to individual schools to decide if replacement events will take place in the fall. The public board says it is considering holding graduation ceremonies in the fall. Imagine a prom where everyone stands six feet apart — not exactly the last hurrah students are looking for.
Is the school year extending into summer?
At this point, no. But Lecce has said boards will introduce “an expanded summer learning program” focused on credit recovery, supports for vulnerable students and course upgrading.
What’s happening with students’ marks?
Marks will not drop below what they were on March 13. Students in Hamilton will receive final grades and may see their grades increase, if a teacher deems their online learning work to warrant a grade increase. In a letter sent to parents on Tuesday, Lecce said: “I want to emphasize that no student will have their graduation jeopardized by the current outbreak.”
How will online learning change in the coming weeks?
Figueiredo said the board is in the troubleshooting stage of online learning. After hearing concerns from parents about varying workload levels, teachers are now working more closely together to ensure workloads are more balanced.