June, 26, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As the school year draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to say thank you.
Thank you for your partnership, your support, and your willingness to make the best of the circumstances we have found ourselves in these last few months. Thank you for pulling together alongside your children, our teachers, and schools, to implement distance learning opportunities in homes across our division. On behalf of our superintendent’s team, I will say we have an incredible amount of pride for our division staff, our students, and you—our parents and guardians—for all the work that you’ve done despite the challenges to support learning during this time.
We are busy planning for re-entry in September and considering what teaching and learning will look like in our schools based on Manitoba Education’s Restoring Safe Schools Document. Our aim is to prioritize as many in-class opportunities as is possible while mitigating the risks of Covid-19. The safety and well being of
our students, their families, and our staff will remain our utmost priority. Ensuring a safe return to school means we will follow all up-to-date guidelines and directives from Manitoba’s Chief Public Health Officer.
As we look towards September, it’s important for all of us to be aware of the three scenarios we have been directed to plan for:
- 1. In-class learning resumes for all K-12 students; near normal with public health measures
- In-class learning resumes with additional public health measures. In order to meet physical distancing requirements, possibilities include but are not limited to:
a. smaller group sizes or cohorts
b. alternate day attendance
c. reduced electives for grades 9-12
d. blended learning - In-class learning is suspended.
a. teacher-led remote learning for all K-12 students.
b. limited use of schools (as was implemented during June 2020)
Read the province’s Restoring Safe Schools plan here:
https://www.manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/covid/k-12-reopeningplan.pdf
While the plan is for all students to return to classroom learning in the fall, Manitoba Education will provide final confirmation by August 1, 2020, based on public health directions. We will be updating parents as required on our website at https://hsd.ca/schools/reopening-of-schools-fall-2020/. These updates will provide
you with information we receive from the province and will inform you of any school division decisions that have been made based on that information.
As we complete the last few days remaining in the 2019–20 school year, please be aware of the following items:
Year-end report cards: All students will receive a year-end report card which will be available on the parent portal. Individual schools will communicate regarding the exact date and time available. Please take note that this year’s final report card is different than in previous years. Student achievement is based on what teachers assessed as of March 20 and includes any improved learning since then. Subject area comments will describe the learning that was offered during remote learning.
There will be a comment that describes the engagement in the remote learning of each student. In Learning Behaviours, there is a category called “Active Participation in Learning.” Teachers will be commenting on the range of participation in remote learning in this area.
We realize that during these past few months, every family has experienced unique circumstances. We genuinely appreciate all the support families have provided. No student will be held back due to COVID-19. Schools are preparing to meet students where they are with their learning when they return in the fall. There is no need to worry that your child will be behind due to the suspension of classes—teachers will address all needs.
2020-2021 School Calendar: Manitoba Education has announced that schools will open for staff on September 2, 2020, and students will return after the long weekend. For Hanover School Division, that means a start date of September 9, 2020, for students. On September 8 each school will host an open house and meet your teacher event. We are in the process of finalizing the Hanover School Division 2020-21 calendar, and the final version will be published on our website.
We’d like to hear from you: As we prepare for a September re-entry and a possible return to in-class learning, we would like to ask for input from parents and guardians on how we can best support the process.
Please use the link below to participate in a Thoughtexchange survey. As in our previous Thought Exchanges, you will have an opportunity to tell us your thoughts and rate the suggestions others provide. This will help us to plan and determine with parents’/guardians’ most important suggestions in mind. Please be sure to come
back to rate the thoughts of others anytime between now and July 3. We will use this information to plan for September, and it’s important we hear from as many families as we can. Click the link below to get started! https://my.thoughtexchange.com/#826223342/
I sincerely wish all of you a summer full of peace, rest, rejuvenation, and quality time with family and friends.
Thank you once again for all you do to support our school communities. We appreciate your partnership.
Respectfully,
Shelley Amos,
Interim Superintendent/CEO
PDF version – Parent-Guardian Letter (June 26, 2020)
in: General