Online classes for students during COVID-19 is mandatory, according to Sooke School District.
“Final grades are based on work up to spring break and those pieces assigned since the suspension of in-class learning,” said SD62 communications manager Stephanie Sherlock.
“It isn’t a choice between online classes and remote learning. We are offering remote learning – some of which is online, however the teacher determines how lessons are conducted based on what is best for the class.”
This statement clarifies a provincial announcement back in March when education minister Rob Fleming announced that all students who are currently on track to move onto the next grade or to graduate would do so.
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“The extension of learning that we’re offering isn’t something we can enforce, but it will certainly support students until the next school year,” said Scott Stinson, SD62’s superintendent.
Stinson said that while it is mostly guaranteed that anyone in a position to move forward will, those that haven’t been doing as well in their grades will have to make sure they are staying connected with their teachers.
In the same vein, the superintendent confirmed that between 65 to 75 students are currently in educational supervision due to their parents being essential workers.
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Currently, there are three sites in SD62, including Saseenos Elementary in Sooke, Lakewood Elementary in Langford, and Colwood Elementary.
SD62 is offering a Monday through Friday program from 8:40 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. to those that ‘exhaust all possibilities’ for their kids to be supervised before getting help from the school district. Notably, there isn’t any transportation or food services available during supervision times.
Applications are still being accepted until the end of the school year.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the expectations of online classes during COVID-19. We apologize for this error and any confusion it may have caused.