Superior North Catholic DSB Remote Learning Apr 6-9
TERRACE BAY, ON – The letter quoted below has been issued to parents from the SNCDSB Director of Education and Chair of the Board.
In their letter, SNCDSB Director of Education Maria Vasanelli and Chair of the Board Judy Wawia, acknowledge other regions (Northeast) and areas (City of Thunder Bay) where remote learning has been taking place as well as the potential risks associated with returning to school for 4 days after the Easter long-weekend and prior to the re-scheduled ‘Spring Break’ the following week as well as advising parents/guardians that:
The Superior North Catholic District School Board Board will be shifting to a remote learning model for the week from April 6th to 9th, 2021, while schools remain closed for this period.
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The Province now finds itself in the third wave of Covid-19. In August of 2020, the Board had a virtual town hall meeting with the parent community. At that time, the Board communicated that students’ safety and well-being were its priorities, and we believe the Board’s actions reflect that.
As you know, the Board surveyed the school community in December. There was overwhelming participation, and most respondents were in favour of providing remote learning the week after the December break.
We find ourselves between Thunder Bay, to the west of us, where school boards have been in remote learning since March 1 and the Sudbury boards to the east of us that are in a remote learning situation. Both those districts continue to be in the midst of remote learning. This school year the usual March break was moved to the week of April 12th. This means that after the upcoming Easter weekend, we are back for four days and then go into the April break. The concern is that if there is a breach in safety protocols during Easter, we have the chance of spreading the virus in our schools. As you are aware, we have had outbreaks in two of our schools already. We are hoping to get through the last three months of this school year safely and begin a fresh new year without the Covid worries we’ve had in the last year. The Superior North Catholic District School Board Board will be shifting to a remote learning model for the week from April 6th to 9th, 2021, while schools remain closed for this period.
The Board understands that remote learning following Easter will have an impact on families’ planning, which is why the Board is providing notice to you. Students with special needs will be supported during remote learning, should it occur. We have reached out to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, and they have provided their support in moving to remote for the four days mentioned.
We are aware of the sacrifices parents have made and continue to make for their children. The Board’s staff and Trustees will continue to take steps to proactively manage a smooth and safe transition back to school on April 19, 2021.
If you have any comments or questions, please contact me via email, mvasanelli@sncdsb.on.ca or call 807-825-3209 ex1001.
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