ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Virtual learning and separate shifts of students are being considered by the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, but the path ahead remains murky as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
On Tuesday, Quebec announced its plans to get students back into the classrooms before the end of the 2019-20 school year.
Premier Dwight Ball, during Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, says it’s almost certain Newfoundland and Labrador will not follow suit.
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) CEO Tony Stack says work is ongoing to sort out what September could look like.
“A lot of people are quoting Dr. Haggie, and as Dr. Haggie says, our crystal ball is not that crystal. It’s really hard to be clear about where we’re going to be,” said Stack.
“Our stance is we need to be as nimble as possible in order to respond to whatever the circumstances are. If the health emergency is still with us, and physical distancing is still with us, then obviously we have to do things differently.”
If things can’t return to normal for the next school year, Stack says, options like students taking shifts coming into the building — one group on one day, another group the next — are being explored, along with creating physical distance within school buildings, and an increased reliance on online learning.
Earlier this month the district launched a survey for parents to determine the technological capacity to allow students to learn from home. While the initial plan is to get students through the remaining school year, the need for at-home learning could well extend through September.
Dean Ingram, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA), says whatever decisions are made must flow from public health recommendations.
“It has to be entirely a health-based decision. One thing we have to realize is that education does allow for equity in the system. It’s an equalizer. It allows different students in different home environments to find a way to actually be given an equitable shot,” he said.
“Right now, that’s something that’s certainly changed. The classroom dynamic has changed. Teachers are exercising their judgment and expertise to ensure that they deliver a learning opportunity consistent with what students have access to.”
Stack says hundreds of laptops and tablets have been distributed to students without access to one at home, with the likelihood of such deliveries reaching the “low thousands.”
“These devices are intended for students in real need. Our priority will be on households that have no devices at all,” said Stack.
“Obviously this is an expensive endeavor, but we’re happy that we had devices in schools. We also had the support of Computers for Schools. Those are free resources that the Computers for Schools furnish us in the hundreds. That’s a huge help.”
Stack says supporting students without access to the internet is another priority for the district.
“Connectivity is a smaller number, but it's still an important thing we need to address if we’re going to have an equitable approach here,” he said.
When September does come, Stack says there are a number of scenarios if a return to normal is not possible.
“I know in countries that have reopened, there’s a huge degree of apprehension and we have to be cognizant of that,” he said.
“We may not get a 100 per cent return rate, and there could be health reasons for that. We need to be prepared to meet their needs.”
@DavidMaherNL
