Division News Article

Stronger Public Health Measures – Impact on Schools

December 9th, 2020

On December 8th, the Government announced stronger health measures for the entire province. The enhanced restrictions do not change things for staff and students in K-12 schools. Schools will remain open.

Grades 7-12 students

  • Move to at-home learning Nov. 30 to Jan. 8, except during winter break
  • Resume in-person classes Jan. 11

Grades K-6 students, including Early Childhood Services

  • Continue in-person learning until their scheduled winter break
  • Move to at-home learning after the winter break until Jan. 8
  • Resume in-person classes Jan. 11

Holiday Performances

Before pandemic restrictions, holiday public performances were open to parents, grandparents and community members. Sadly, we are not able to hold large gatherings this year. However, some of our schools are planning to post video recordings. While not the same as being there, the chance to view a recording might be just the thing to make an unusual Christmas feel a little better.

Expectations for First Week Back (January 4-8, 2021)

The Government’s announcement on November 24th stated that all students, Kindergarten through Grade 12, are to learn at home during the first week of January. What does this mean for Pembina Hills students?

Early Learning

  • The Pembina Hills Early Learning programs will continue after Christmas break just like programs from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
  • Continued programming will be made available at the school.
  • The Principal of Early Learning or your Early Learning teacher will be in contact with you with specific information.

Kindergarten to Grade 6

  • The restrictions announced on November 24th did not apply to Kindergarten to Grade six students in December, but they do kick in for January 4-8.
  • Teachers have been asked to plan several hours of school work per day for January 4-8. We want kids to know that they are returning to school on January 4th, even though they will still be at home.
  • Of course, the amount of work will vary from grade to grade with the expectations for Grade 6 students being higher than lower grades.
  • We know that it may be difficult for families with multiple children to have devices connected with multiple teachers at the same time. Therefore, K-6 students may not follow a daily schedule as closely as the Grade 7-12 students have done in December. We anticipate that teachers or classroom support staff will contact students daily, either individually or in small or large groups.
  • Many teachers will be creating packages for students to take home prior to the break. If your teacher compiles these for your children, please set this work aside until after the holidays. This will be work that students can return to on the morning of January 4th. We want them to know January 4th is different than the days during Christmas break.
  • Teachers or other school staff may ask specific students to come to school for scheduled times. This may be necessary to address their unique needs or to provide access to instruction that can’t be met by a family at home.

Grade 7-12

  • Grade 7-12 students pivoted to learning at home as of November 30th. Teachers will continue to provide instruction through to December 18th. This will resume on January 4th, 2021.
  • Most schools are following schedules similar to students’ regular classes when they are in school. We have asked teachers to interact with students regularly.
  • School staff may ask some students to schedule times to come into the school for various reasons.
  • Even though students may receive assignments that could be worked on during the Christmas Break, we ask parents to ensure students take the needed break from their studies so that they can return rested and ready on January 4th.
  • Until we are told differently, we expect that all students will be back in school on January 11th, in time to prepare for the exam week (Grade 10-12) at the end of January.

Final Assessments – Exam Week

  • The end of semester 1 means final assessments in most courses for Grades 10-12 (and certain junior high courses that end in January).
    Students completing courses with Diploma Exams in the first semester will be automatically exempt from writing the Diploma Exam. Students can choose to write Diploma Exams if they wish and if so, they need to inform their teachers of their choice immediately.
    The likely absence of Diploma Exams means that students can expect final classroom assessments created by their teachers. We anticipate that many teachers will design final assessments following the style of Diploma Exams.
    Final assessments may occur throughout January, even before the scheduled exam week. For example, teachers may require students to complete projects and portfolios as summary assessments.

Borrowing Devices

  • Please check with your school regarding plans for distributing school-owned Chromebooks or other devices and materials.

How can parents help?

  • Allow your child to set their studies aside for a couple of weeks during the Christmas break.
  • During the break, encourage your child to read for pleasure and play games that require numeracy skills, strategic thought, and collaboration.
  • Ensure that your kids do something physical for at least 30 minutes a day (preferably outside).
  • Prepare them for the first day back at school on January 4th by resuming the household schedules you normally would if they were going back to in-school classes.
  • If possible, set up a designated learning space for your children. Students benefit when the physical location where they do school work is different from the place where they relax and sleep. A desk or table in their bedroom is fine. Try to avoid doing schoolwork from their bed.
  • Prioritize the use of your household wifi and internet signal for the kids who need to be online.

Mental Health Supports

  • Christmas can be a challenging time in some households and living with the COVID-19 restrictions can add to the stress load.
  • The PHSD website page; Mental Health Resources has links and information that may help.
  • PHSD staff with support roles will continue to work with students remotely during regularly scheduled school days.
  • The health restrictions require us to be physically distant, but that doesn’t mean we need to isolate socially. Use technology to stay connected with friends and family. Encourage your children to write a letter to a friend, their grandparents or someone else. Lead them on walking excursions into nature in your backyard or in area parks.

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