In-class learning has been officially suspended until at least September.
However, many of Saskatchewan鈥檚 180,000 students continue to take part of learning activities offered by their teachers who are using creative ways to deliver education into students鈥� homes during the new normal that COVID-19 has created.
Saskatchewan Education鈥檚 Response Planning Team recently encouraged everyone in Saskatchewan鈥檚 education community to continue with these learning opportunities until the end of the school year, as in-class learning will not take place until at least fall.
鈥淲hen the COVID-19 pandemic hit Saskatchewan, it impacted everyone in the education sector,鈥� Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said in a release.聽鈥淲e needed to move quickly and decisively in order to protect our students, staff and families, and within a matter of weeks, a supplemental learning framework was created to provide students with learning opportunities from their home.聽 I am very pleased with the success we have seen using this new way of delivering education to our students and I commend teachers, staff and parents for adapting quickly and enthusiastically.鈥�
Quinn Haider principal at St. Paul鈥檚 School said the announcement that classes will not resume this school year was hardly a surprise.
鈥淚t was the news we didn鈥檛 want to hear, but it was the news we knew was likely coming,鈥� he told Yorkton This Week.
Of course the question now is what the likelihood of classes resuming in September are?
鈥淚 believe there is going to be school of some sort in September,鈥� said Haider. 鈥淢aybe I鈥檓 being naive, but I鈥檓 optimistic we鈥檒l be able to open the doors in September.鈥�
In the meantime students have been provided an opportunity to continue learning with guidance from teachers through provided materials, generally online. That will continue through until the end of June.
鈥淔ollowing the lead of the Saskatchewan Response Planning Team has allowed school divisions to provide consistent approaches to supplemental learning tailored to families in the middle of a pandemic,鈥� offered Jason Gordon, principal at Dr. Brass School in the city.
Gordon said planning is also under way with an eye to the fall.
鈥淪chool leaders are in the beginning stages of working out scenarios for the fall that ensure the safety of all,鈥� he said.
As it stands now, Gordon said there is a focus on getting through the next few weeks.
鈥淲ith the confirmation of school not returning for this year many families and staff are looking for closure,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tudents will move on to their next grades and School Staffs will be prepared to make new connections with students and families to ensure optimal learning situations.
鈥淭eachers are adjusting to this new learning environment and will definitely have greater strategies and efficiencies to support students. There will be a day when we gather again and that is something that we will all have a greater appreciation of when we connect with students and families.鈥�
Haider said the education provided since the suspension of class in mid-March has focused on math and language skills, provided in a way that neither students or their parents are given more than they can reasonably handle.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to meet their needs and not overwhelm kids, or parents,鈥� he said, adding; 鈥�... there are some students who thrive in this environment, and some who don鈥檛, the same as any classroom,鈥� he said.
The difference is that in a classroom setting during an hour-long class a teacher can have some one-on-one time with students who might be struggling with a lesson, that is not as easy through online education, suggested Haider.
Provincially, education鈥檚 Response Planning Team is working with education sector partners to begin work on what in-class learning may look like this fall, although the timelines will depend on the safety of everyone in Saskatchewan schools including students, teachers and school staff.聽 For those students graduating this year, school divisions are working with graduates and staff to consider virtual graduation ceremonies and possible postponements as well, as public health orders remain which prevent more than 10 people from gathering together.
鈥淲e know that graduation ceremonies and celebrations are important to so many families, and we extend a warm congratulations to all of Saskatchewan鈥檚 Grade 12 students and we wish them the very best in their futures,鈥� Wyant said in the recent release.
