Letter from the Director: Elementary school staffing and organization

Posted November 11, 2020

November 11, 2020


Dear UGDSB elementary parents/guardians,

This letter is to provide all parents/guardians in the Upper Grand District School Board with information on changes required in our elementary schools following the survey that allowed students to switch between in-person and remote learning.

In August, prior to the start of the school year, we committed to ensuring parents/guardians had the opportunity to change their child’s school placement between in-person and remote learning. Since then, we let families know that a change would align with the end of the fall reporting period. As a result of the parent/guardian survey we have had some families across the system decide to relocate to our Elementary Remote School and some families chose to return to in-person learning.

Based on the number of changes requested, the board’s District Staffing Committee has been working on creating new class organizations for our in-person schools and our Elementary Remote School. This process is similar to reorganization changes that occur at the start of a new school year.

New class organizations could result in some changes and these changes may include:

  • The number of students in classes (may increase or decrease)
  • Changes to the teacher assigned to a classroom
  • Your child’s teacher and/or cohort may change

The first day of class for any new organizations will begin on Monday, November 30.

As we did with the reorganization in September, the board is working to minimize the number of changes as much as possible and will continue to follow the Public Health guidelines and health and safety protocols for schools.

We know that school reorganizations are not easy. The pandemic has presented the board with several challenges, and reorganization is necessary to balance classes, adhere to Ministry class size requirements and ensure classrooms/schools are properly staffed.

Where changes are going to occur, schools will communicate with parents to inform them of the change and provide support to ensure a smooth transition for staff and students. Schools will send this communication to parents during the week of Nov. 23.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools and for working collaboratively with us to keep our students and staff safe.

Sincerely,

Martha Rogers
Director of Education & Secretary-Treasurer

Categories: News