ST. PAUL - More than six weeks after being sent home to learn, many students in Grades 7 to 12 returned to in-class learning on Monday, while elementary students across the province also returned following a week or learning from home after the holidays.
"We are looking forward to our students returning to in-person learning for all grade levels on Jan. 11," said St. Paul Education board chair Heather Starosielski, just days ahead of the return to class.
While older students have been learning about home since the end of November, "Compared to last March, the education being delivered remotely for Grades 7 to 12 has been much more rigorous and followed the school timetable with live lessons for most students," explained Starosielski.
"Keeping to a set schedule for these grade levels was well received by our families, but we are aware that issues related to reliable Internet continue to be a problem throughout the division. In these instances, we are working with families to provide alternative learning options," she explained.
In the week that all students were learning from home, "it was noted that there has been excellent student participation," according to Starosielski.
But, not all students were required to learn from home.
"We did have about 60 students with exceptional needs that require a more intensive education program attend school in-person as well as students from our Outreach Schools (EPOS and SPAEC)," said Starosielski.
The majority of students, however, did learn from home and Starosielski said the school division and board are grateful for parents who have been supporting their children at home.
"We know it is difficult to juggle 'learning from home' and a parent's everyday work schedule. The Board would also like to thank all of our staff for being adaptive to the changes in the delivery of education during this pandemic," said Starosielski.
She noted that all safety guidelines outlined by Alberta Health Services will continue to be followed in local schools.
