Halton Catholic School – Back To School
Halton Catholic School Board – Return To School Plan
As of August 12th the Halton Catholic School Board came to a decision during it’s special board meeting of the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB). Trustees received and reviewed the proposed HDSB Return to School Plan. Remember that things can change and to make sure that you’re in communication with your child’s school. Stay up to date with all back to school plans on the HCDSB website.
What Happens Next?
On July 30th the Minister of Education released its Guide to reopening schools, and have outlined plans for the return to school. “All elementary schools will re-open in September, 2020, with enhanced health & safety protocols in place. Students (Kindergarten to Grade 8) will return to conventional in-person instruction, 5 days per week school.”
When it comes to Secondary schools, “All HCDSB secondary schools will open in an adapted (hybrid) model with enhanced health and safety protocols in September, 2020. Students (Grade 9-12) will return to school in class cohorts of approximately 15 students, on alternating schedules with at least 50% of in-class instructional days.”
The Delivery Model
It was proposed that initially:
- Each cohort of up to 15 secondary students would take 1 course at a time
- Courses would be delivered in a combination of in-class instruction 2-3 days per week, and remote learning
- Students would earn 1 credit every 23 days (approximately 5 weeks)
However, based on the new information presented by the trustees a motion to direct staff to change the adapted delivery model to a ‘quadmester approach’:
- Students would take 2 courses at a time, and be part of 2 cohorts of up to 15 students per course
- Courses would be delivered in a combination of in-class instruction 2-3 days per week, and remote learning
- Students will earn 2 credits in approximately 10 weeks
Next Steps
Staff are currently working to reconfigure the return to school plan into a quadmester model for secondary schools. A revised delivery model for secondary instruction is to be finalized and shared as soon as it is possible.
Elementary Schools
All elementary Schools will reopen in September 2020. There will be enhanced health and safety protocols in place. Students, kindergarten to grade 8, will return to in-person instruction, 5 days a week. There are multiple strategies in place for both elementary and secondary students, just as there are in the public school system.
Health and Safety Measures
- Self screening
- Adapted school environments
- Hand hygiene
- Masking
- Students in Grade 4 to 12 will be required to wear non-medical or cloth masks while in school.
- Medical masks will be provided for teachers and all other school staff.
- Reasonable exceptions to the requirement will be put in place.
- Cohorting
- Distancing
- Limiting visitors in schools
- Pre-registration
Remote Learning Options
There will be an option for remote learning. “Parents and guardians will make decisions regarding in-person attendance for their children for this school year and will have the option of remote learning if they do not wish to send their child(ren) back to school in September.”
In the next couple of weeks the HCDSB will be sending out an Intent to Return to School survey to all parents and guardians. Parents and guardians will make decisions regarding in-person attendance for their children this school year, they will have the option of remote-learning.
HCDSB Goals For September
This September will look very different than what staff, students and parents have been used to. Some of the goals that the HCDSB have as everyone transitions back to school are:
- Ensuring protocols are in place so that students and staff are healthy and safe.
- Providing an enhanced online/distance learning experience for students who continue to learn from home.
- Assessing student learning gaps and developing plans to provide appropriate intervention, where needed.
- Maintaining a focus on mental health supports for students and staff returning to school and those who will continue to learn and work from home.
For More Information
This year is going to be different, we have mentioned that a few times. You need to make sure you stay informed and do what you’re most comfortable doing. Back to school has always been an exciting and nervous time for parents and their children.
“Over the next few weeks, parents and guardians will be receiving additional details about the return to school plan and what it will look like for their child(ren) and family.” Make sure you keep you’re eyes out for any new information. You can find out more by visiting the Guide to reopening Ontario’s Schools to learn more.
