Horizon School Division discusses supplemental learning in the time of COVID-19

Garinger said a lot of preparation will continue to make supplemental learning come to fruition. That includes technological needs, and connecting with families to continue relationship building that is critical.

He said Horizon staff will be permitted to go into schools this week – in small groups – to pick up any resources they will need to be able to provide supplemental learning.

Garinger admitted there are challenges when it comes to the technological aspect of supplemental learning. Many families have limited, or no, internet capability, especially in rural areas.

“We’re grateful that they have access to LTE and those kinds of opportunities,” Garinger said. Adding there are others that don’t have access to phones, computers, or iPads.

“That’s why it’s so critical right now to find out exactly what those needs are, and then together we’ll work at trying to find out how to manage through that effectively,” Garinger said.

Support staff, including speech and language pathologists, counsellors, and others, will continue to engage with staff and families, but it will have to happen at a distance. Garinger said there have been online and other supports for many of those staff already.

He said the technology department is in the process of getting computers set up for educational assistants and administrative assistants so they can offer student support from home.

Garinger added librarians will become a resource person for teachers and families to go to for reading and research material via online text.

“We have plans for everyone, and right now we’re just making sure that the technology is set up for them and then they’ll be part of that team that will continue to support supplemental learning as we move forward,” Garinger said.

The Horizon School Division’s website also features a link for parents called ‘Family Resources for Learning – Horizon’s Learning Practice Tool’. Garinger said the link provides a place for children to do some self-directed and independent study in areas including reading, writing, and numeracy, among others.

He said the link helps take the pressure off the parents, and allows students a chance to access sites and do some learning practice in a number of disciplines.

Garinger thanked staff and parents for their patience and understanding.

“We will make this work,” Garinger said. “No one ever expected to be in this type of situation when it comes to our learning, and not being with our kids and certainly that’s a hard thing for all of us who are involved in education.”

He said the division has fantastic professionals who are going to do the work to make supplemental learning a success, and families that are supportive of their children.

There have been cases in the division in which both parents are busy working in ‘front-line’ jobs with the COVID-19 outbreak, and Garinger said they need people to help support them and their children.

“Hopefully this will provide some ability to lessen some of the burden that people are feeling, and in the meantime, we’ll get very, very prepared for the opportunity to deliver supplemental learning right after the Easter break,” Garinger said.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974

by Cam Lee

Horizon School Division discusses supplemental learning in the time of COVID-19

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