With the Victoria Day long weekend around the corner, we want to take this opportunity to thank our students and their families for their efforts to support distance learning. We know this has been an adjustment and challenge for all – thank you for your ongoing patience, feedback and contribution.

We know that our educators have been continuing to reach out to students and families with feedback and guidance. Most importantly, we want our students to know we are here for them and can’t wait to welcome them back to school when the time comes.

This week, we hear from Jennifer Ohrling, a Grade 2 teacher at Brigadoon Public School. We learn more about how her class has shifted from a classroom setting, to distance learning. Combining the goals she had set in the classroom – growth, relationships and responsibilities – her love of writing and conversations she has had with her students, Ohrling has been inspired to create a book that talks about what it could look like when students come back to school.

Learn how Ohrling finds a way to ensure her student’s learning needs are still being met, while bringing smiles to those who need them at Grand River Hospital.

How can we support you?

As school closures and distance learning continue, we are working hard to find ways to continue to support you. Last week we used a tool called ThoughtExchange to gather your feedback. Over 3,659 parents and caregivers and 1,006 students engaged by sharing their thoughts and/or rating the thoughts of others on how we can better support students during this time. We look forward to compiling the data and will share back what we’ve heard from you along with the next steps.

WRDSB@Home

We would like to remind you of the WRDSB@Home website. It is updated with new resources regularly to support you as we all engage in distance learning.

Tech@Home

You are also invited to check out a growing online resource for families and students: Tech@Home. This website contains resources to help students and families troubleshoot technical problems they may be experiencing. Stay tuned for more topics – the Tech@Home site will continue to grow to support your distance learning needs.

Tech at home

Thank you for your continued collaboration and we look forward to connecting with you again in a week’s time.