Letter from the Director to parents/guardians and students (June 26, 2020)

Posted June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020


Dear UGDSB students, parents and guardians,

As you know, this has been a year like no other. I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all of our staff who have worked diligently to transition our students to a distance learning model since we returned from March Break. It has been a monumental task to make the change, and while not perfect, as a board we have successfully provided a distance learning program for students for the past three months. I would also like to express my thanks to all of our students and families for their hard work, understanding and patience through the last few months.

This summer, we know that there are students who will require additional support. I would like all parents/guardians and students to know that mental health supports for students are available throughout the summer. You can find out more about our summer supports for students on the board website: https://www.ugdsb.ca/students/summer-2020-supports-for-students/

At this time, we are working on plans for the fall. The province has asked school boards to prepare plans for three possible scenarios for returning to school in the fall: regular in-class instruction with heightened health protocols, the continuation of distance learning, and an adapted delivery model, based on smaller class sizes, cohorting and alternate day or week delivery. The government has said it will request guidance from provincial public health officials by early August in order to confirm the type of delivery appropriate for the beginning of the school year. School boards will be directed by the province as to which model will be followed for the restart in September. Please know that board staff are currently working on the details of these plans for September and this work will continue throughout the summer.

Additionally, the board will be sending out a survey to all parents/guardians within the next few weeks in order to gather information from families regarding the fall restart. The information you provide will help us in our planning process, so we greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete the anonymous survey. The survey will be posted on the board website at https://www.ugdsb.ca/community/coronavirus/fall-2020-restart-survey/ in early July. We will also be sending out a survey to students in grades 7-12 to gather feedback on their experience with distance learning.

As we work on plans for the fall, we will keep families updated over the summer. Updates for our school communities will continue to be posted at www.ugdsb.ca/covid19, on our UGConnect mobile app, and on Twitter @ugdsb.

I would like to close by thanking all parents and guardians for your work, patience, and support during this time, and also thank our students for persevering through the challenges that distance learning presented. You are resilient and together we will get through this.

I wish to express my sincere desire for you to all have a safe and healthy summer.

Sincerely,

Martha Rogers
Director of Education & Secretary-Treasurer

To download a copy of the letter, please click here.

Categories: School News