Good Morning,

The at home learning process certainly continues to be a new learning path for all of us...

Beginning on Monday, November 15th we will be entering into our 3rd week of "Learning from Home."  In speaking with teachers and families we have decided to implement a compressed schedule. It will be our regular daily schedule however it is now compressed into five, 30-minute classes taking place in the morning through Teams. ** Teachers must be doing active instruction for for 15 - 20 minutes each class, regardless of the number of students in attendance.  Afternoons will be set aside for students to complete work and receive support from teachers through Teams, emails, or phone calls. 

We recognize that asking students to be connected via Teams for five hours each day is not the best approach for either their learning or their physical and mental health.  As well, direct instruction is only a part of the learning process - independent practice, is equally important.

We believe that moving to five, 30-minute classes in the morning will have several benefits for our students:

• To have flexibility/autonomy to use the afternoon to work uninterrupted on their assignments, projects, daily work….
• Not be tied to screens for the full day.
• Teachers are more available for the afternoon to provide support to students.
• There is an opportunity for students to get outside, exercise, get fresh air and disconnect. 

The schedule moving forward for Teams is below:

9:00 a.m.  -  9: 30 a.m.             Period 1

9: 35 a.m.  - 9: 40 a.m.             Break

9:40 a.m.  -   10:10 a.m.          Period 2

10: 10 a.m. - 10: 15 a.m.         Break

10:15 a.m.  - 10: 45 a.m.         Period 3

10:45 a.m.  - 10:50 a.m.          Break

10:50 a.m.  - 11: 20 a.m.         Period 4

11: 20 a.m.  -  11: 25 a.m.        Break

11: 25 a.m.  -  11: 55 p.m.      Period 5

Lunch 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.

Starting at 1:00 p.m. students are encouraged to reach out to teachers through Teams if they require extra help or direction.  Teachers will be available each afternoon to provide that assistance.

Students and families may also reach teachers during school hours (8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) via email. All staff emails can be found on our school website under the "About Us" tab then link to "Faculty."

Ms. Muise and I will be in the school daily from 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. Except this Friday, November 19th since there is no "Learning from Home" available all staff will be involved in a Professional Learning Day.

We hope your child can engage as much as possible so that learning, and assessment can continue. We do recognize that learning from home does present different challenges in different homes, and we are here to support. Please reach out to the teachers or you can always email Mrs. Muise or myself. We are looking forward to welcoming the students back soon.

Thank you,

Jill Ferguson

Principal