Dear families,

We are providing you with an important update regarding our Elementary Distance Learning Program.

Our students will now begin Elementary Distance Learning on September 18, 2020. This is later than our original date of September 14, 2020. Please note that our Secondary Distance Learning Program will begin as planned on Friday, September 11, 2020.

Establishing an online learning environment for all grade levels is a complex task, involving different areas across our entire organization. Ensuring that we have qualified teachers and Early Childhood Educators in place to support a high-quality distance learning program takes time. We apologize for the frustration and inconvenience that families and students will experience as we take the necessary steps to make sure we get things right.

At the moment, we are in the process of hiring an additional 90 elementary teachers and 30 Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECE) to support the 9,256 students enrolled in our Elementary Distance Learning Program. This hiring process is ongoing as we continue to balance our staffing needs for our in-person classes as well as our distance learning program.

Our staff will continue to connect with students in the distance learning program before September 18 to make sure technology needs are in place, answer questions regarding distance learning and most importantly, establish a student-teacher relationship.

If they choose, families will be able to access resources for independent learning during September 14 to 17, via our WRDSB@Home website detailed by grade level below:

Thank you to our families for your continued support as we put the necessary resources in place to ensure that our students have a successful learning experience, both online and in-person.