Lethbridge School Division continues COVID-19 planning

“I don’t know necessarily what the timelines are with respect to school closure but what we are looking at is trying to prepare structures that will move us forward in the timelines that are established as government proceeds with making decisions,” she said on Tuesday morning.

She said the division could move to an online delivery of classes, but talks are still underway for elementary, middle and high school students.

“We’re waiting for the provincial, sort of what they’ve called the basic standards for delivery of curriculum,” Gilmore stated.

“Our staff are in schools today working hard trying to navigate what that looks like in their particular grade levels and their particular subject levels and so, we’re asking for patients of course [this situation] takes some time, when you’re structured and planned for face to face delivery, and just making sure we’re doing a quality job when we roll it out.”

She did note that she’s hopeful that a classroom delivery model could be rolled out as early as next week, if not sooner.

GRADUATION

Gilmore said as of now, it appears as though graduation ceremonies will not take place, and it’s her understanding that provincial achievements tests will also be cancelled.

She couldn’t say if summer school classes would be a go, but the goal is to ensure every student can complete their courses, whatever way that may be.

“The goal of the province is for every student to complete their courses [secondary students] or to complete their grade. Certainly, assessment in elementary isn’t really a percentage. Assessment in elementary is whether a student has achieved the outcomes,” she explained.

“Certainly, many of those outcomes would have been assessed already and teachers with the online delivery will also be building in, you know, how will we assess whether or not students have achieved outcomes in these different areas because it’s outcomes-based reporting in different areas. Students don’t get a grade, like a percentage in elementary school, it’s more on whether they’ve achieved or not achieved outcomes, so teachers will be working on how that’s determined.”

Gilmore said it’s important to ensure students are “not hampered in any way” to move forward in high school or move forward to post-secondary education.

“We’re working towards students completing their courses and I think that the government’s been very clear that that’s the expectation, that school jurisdictions ensure that delivery instruction so that students can complete their courses and get grades and move on into the subsequent grade levels and courses the next year.”

Gilmore has issued messaging to parents while the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing. Further details can be seen through the Lethbridge School Division’s website.

by Justin Goulet

Lethbridge School Division continues COVID-19 planning

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