​ASD-S Families,

This week we shared with you the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s  Continuity of Learning Plan which outlines the province’s plan for education during the COVID-19 school closure.

We understand families have many questions. Families are eager to know when they can retrieve items from desks and lockers, have questions about high school course requirements, and are looking for information about the learning recommendations laid out in the provincial plan.

We will communicate answers to these questions as soon as we have more information. We have updated our Q & A document, which you can find on the ASD-S website, and will keep this up-to-date as more information becomes available.

We are also working with the province and our school administrators to determine ways to implement the Continuity of Learning Plan that is best for each school and each of our students.

Central to the plan are the recommendations for continued home learning by grade level. You should expect to hear from your child’s schools again soon, with learning activities to begin sometime this week or next.

I want to emphasize to families that the Learning Plan offers a suggestion of what is ideal to keep students engaged in learning. We understand that each family situation is different and that there are unique challenges, especially during this difficult time, that may make these learning recommendations impractical or unachievable.

The goal is not to add additional stress to families during what is already a stressful situation. We don’t believe the home should become a classroom or that parents and guardians must take on the role of the teacher. Our goal is to make available learning options to those families who are seeking resources and to provide help to families who need it.

While we hope to see students continue their learning outside of the classroom, not just now but all year long, we want parents to be assured that no student will be disadvantaged or penalized as a result of the school closures. We want our ASD-S families to focus on their emotional well-beings, to stay healthy and safe, and to maintain a sense of connection to their school communities. We will continue to provide resources to families and work hard to help students continue their learning outside of school.  

I want to take this opportunity also to remind families that your child’s school Guidance staff is available should your child need them. You can read more about his service here. As well, if your learner needs IT support services, we have attached information below about how they can be reached.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work together through this unprecedented time.

Zoё Watson, Superintendent