ST. PAUL - While student learning remains among the top priorities while students continue with at-home learning, St. Paul Education has put one item at the very top of the list, acknowledging the stress and challenges that come along with being away from school - mental health.
"At the end of the day, mental health is extremely important," said Superintendent Glen Brodziak, during the May 12 board of trustees meeting. "We want out students to stay engaged... but mental health has to be at the forefront."
The superintendent added that the overall wellbeing of staff and students remains a priority with the school division.
"The pandemic has created impacts for everyone."
He encourages families to reach out to staff at their children's schools if any support is needed, or to answer questions. He acknowledged that the focus is different for students of different grades.
For Grade 12 students, the focus is on getting credits needed to graduate, while for the Grade 10 and 11 students, the focus is on making sure students don't fall behind. Staff are doing all they can to make sure all students stay "on track."
Learning is important at all levels, but for the youngest students, ensuring they have a positive end to the school year will also be crucial.
Brodziak said there are options to "lighten the load" for students who are having a hard time. The superintendent also spoke to final exams, which will be adapted to the learning that actually took place. Final exams at the junior high level will be capped at 10 per cent weight on a student's final mark, if the school chooses to have the exam.
Final exams are being left as an individual school choice.
"Any final exam will be open book," said Brodziak.
The superintendent noted that he is hopeful students will return to class, as initially planned when the province announced the two-week at-home learning period to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the province.
"Our staff want to finish the year with the kid in the class."
Staffing and budget
Brodziak also offered a brief update on staffing within the school division. He noted that due to the hiring of two new assistant superintendents who are current principals at schools within the division, two principal advertisements have been posted.
An assistant principal position is also being advertised, along with four teacher positions.
"It's a busy time with staffing," said Brodziak.
He also spoke to how the division's Religious Education Coordinator Cynthia Martin will be leaving the school division. Brodziak acknowledged Martin's work and spoke about how she was an "amazing advocate" for Catholic Education.
The school division has decided it will not fill the 0.5 FTE position, but instead the job will be absorbed by one of the new assistant superintendents.
When speaking to budget planning, Champagne said there have been no layoffs due to at-home learning. So far, the only budget impact for at-home learning would be reduced costs for fewer substitutes being required over the two-week stretch.
As the division gets ready to approve its 2021 budget, Champagne told the board that more emphasis is being put toward improving technology in schools. He noted that many schools have been "pushed to the max" due to at-home learning.
While he acknowledged it's tough to catch up with changing technology, improvements can and will be made.
