The Near North District School Board will be allowing students back to the classroom next fall but a remote learning option will be available as well.
The Board sent out a letter via email to NNDSB families about the 2021-22 options on Friday afternoon.
However, students who elect to go remote will have to do it for the entire school year.
"The NNDSB believes in-person learning best supports most students, however, we recognize that given unique circumstances, some families may want their child to learn remotely. In line with guidance from the Ministry of Education, NNDSB is offering a technology-enabled remote learning option in September," states the letter to Near North District School Board parents which was sent out Friday.
High school students will continue to learn in the Octomester format at least for the first half of the school year.
"If you are choosing this option for your child or children, you are not required to do anything. It will be assumed that you are choosing in-person learning," explained the letter relating to high school students.
Elementary in-person learning for students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 will be modeled on current practice.
"Students will continue to be cohorted by class and staff will rotate from class to class as the schedule demands," the letter stated.
"There will be a continued focus on reducing the number of educator contacts who are delivering instruction to each homeroom/cohort."
The outlined details of in-person learning are subject to change based on the advice and direction of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and/or the Ontario Ministry of Education.
"Teachers in both streams will continue to be expected to maintain a virtual learning environment in order to support a transition to remote learning should the need arise or where individual students are required to isolate for a limited time," the letter continued.
The board will also offer in-person learning for Special Education and specialized program classes.
"Our experience this year has shown that in-person learning is the best format to support students with special education needs, particularly those in congregated classes and alternative education programs," the letter stated.
"For this reason, in the 2021-2022 school year, congregated classes and alternative education programs will return in-person."
Those parents who wish their child or teenager to continue with remote learning have been asked to fill out a remote learning request form from the Near North District School Board website. The deadline to get that filled out is Sunday, June 6.
"We require time to ensure our schools and programs are resourced and staffed appropriately," stated the Board.
Anyone with questions can view the Looking Ahead to 2021-22 page on NNDSB’s website.
It contains a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section; parents and guardians who have questions that are not answered here are encouraged to leave their question, which will be answered on the page (thus increasing the FAQs which are available to all).
