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students will get a week's notice

Five phase plan for return to in-class learning

May 8, 2020 | 3:22 PM

B.C.’s Ministry of Education is working with its 60 school districts, and other partners, to begin a phased-in approach to resuming in-class learning, but the timing is up in the air.

The ministry said the plan will be guided by strict health and safety guidelines.

“This measured approach will involve five stages leading to an eventual safe and full return of students learning in classrooms and provides flexibility to continue home learning even while in-class instruction is available,” said a ministry news release.

The next phase, Stage 3, will include in-class learning for kindergarten to Grade 12 students on a part-time basis, while remote and online learning remains available.

The Vernon School District said it will give student families at least one week notice before that change happens.

“Parents will have the choice to send their children to school in accordance with further ministry guidelines or to continue accessing ongoing educational opportunities from home,” said a note sent home to student families from School District 22 superintendent Joe Rogers. “The current ongoing educational opportunities will continue to be provided until the PHO [provincial health officer] and ministry set a starting date for Stage 3.”

A return of full in-class instruction won’t happen until September at the earliest.

While face-to-face instruction is suspended for the majority of students, schools in the province remain open for some, including children of essential service workers and those who are vulnerable and need more supports.

Five phase plan for B.C. schools
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