At-Home Learning May 2021: Superintendent Update

May 5, 2021

To: All Staff, Students, Parents/Guardians
From: Superintendent Darryl Seguin

Re: Moving to Scenario 3 (At-Home Learning) for All Grades K-12 in LRSD

As announced by the provincial government on May 4, all Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in Alberta will move to at-home learning beginning on Friday, May 7. The Livingstone Range School Division Board of Trustees met this morning in a special meeting and approved a calendar change moving May 7, 2021 from an instructional day to a non-instructional day providing staff time to prepare for the transition to at-home learning. At-home learning in LRSD will commence on Monday, May 10th. 

Our Scenario 3 (At-Home Learning) Plan has been updated to provide the necessary supports, learning opportunities, and safety for our school communities. Expectations for learning during this period are explained below. We understand that this time might be stressful and difficult for families and students. We will all do our best to balance continued learning with wellness and mental health.

For Kindergarten to 12 students who are already learning at-home, classes  will proceed on Friday as scheduled. Early Learning Programming for 3- and 4-year-olds and Preschool will continue in-person.

Kindergarten-Grade 3

• Focus on language and mathematics curriculum outcomes that strengthen the development of literacy and numeracy
• Incorporate health curriculum outcomes (with a focus on mental health)
• Average of five hours of work per student per week
• Assessment and reporting will continue

Grades 4-6

• Focus on language and mathematics curriculum outcomes that strengthen the development of literacy and numeracy
• Leverage literacy and numeracy outcomes across all curriculum domains
• Average of six to eight hours of work per student per week
• Assessment and reporting will continue

Grade 7-9

• Continue with regular school schedule and class work time as much as possible
• Assessment and reporting will continue

Grades 10-12

• Continue with regular school schedule and class work time as much as possible
• Assessment and reporting will continue

What does this mean for our teachers, staff, and students? 

Students will begin at-home learning on Monday, May 10. Schools will provide more information to you about the schedule and any expectations. Some of the instruction will be synchronous (in real-time) and some instruction may be asynchronous (materials provided ahead of time and students work on it independently during that class block, for example). 

Students who do not have access to technology may request to borrow technology from the school during this period of time or work with their local school administration to discuss options like paper packages. 

Please see our COVID-19 webpage for further details and check www.lrsd.ca for the latest information. Talk with your school for specific questions or concerns.

The provincial government is intending to have students return to in-person learning on Tuesday, May 25. In the meantime, our school-based and divisional leadership will continue to support student learning every step of the way. Stay safe and stay connected.

Sincerely,

Darryl Seguin
Superintendent