School District 20 responds to school closures, pens letter to parents
By Contributor
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The BC government news announcement just finished.
Premier Horgan, Minister Fleming, and Minister James each presented information on where we are at today in terms of provincial decisions being made in response to the current COVID-19 health crisis.
Please note the following:
• In-person instruction in our schools is suspended until further notice.
• Schools are not ‘shuttered’ at this time. Our empty buildings could be considered for providing emergent child care for the children of essential workers (such as health care workers). There is currently no information regarding this beyond what was shared in the news briefing.
• The Premier indicated that daycare facilities should continue to operate as normal.
• There is an expectation that Districts start planning for ‘continuity of learning’. There is currently no information about what the expectations are for this. • Grade 10 and 11 assessments required for grad are postponed.
• Grade 12 students that have not completed the grade 10 assessments required for grad will be attended to. There is currently no information about how this will occur.
• The suspension of in-person instruction will not impact students moving on to the next grade. Nor will it impact students that were on-track to graduate.
• The Ministry is currently working with post-secondary institutions to ensure graduating students are not disadvantaged because of the suspension of in-person instruction. As you can see, the announcements did not come with a lot of detail. Once details become clear, they will be communicated to you.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we (meaning the entire province) navigate through these unprecedented times.
Sincerely,
Bill Ford, Superintendent
