THIS IS AN EMAIL FROM SD 72 IN REGARDS TO WHAT ONLINE SCHOOLING WILL LOOK LIKE IN B.C. 
HERE IS THE EMAIL SENT OUT:
March 27, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Hello everyone, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families all the best during these challenging times. I know that these past two weeks have been unsettling and unusual; however, we hope you had some fun and had a relaxing break with your families over the spring vacation.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education suspended face-to-face instruction in all schools in British Columbia. After this announcement, the Ministry made the following two expectations of school districts:
- With the suspension of face-to-face instruction school districts are tasked with providing ongoing learning opportunities for students.
- School systems are expected to support families of essential service workers through some level of service for their children.
The plan for student learning in the weeks ahead will look very different from what we do every day in school. The health and safety of school staff, students, parents and communities is our highest priority. Our work in the K-12 education system is being guided by the following principles:
- Maintain a healthy and safe environment for all students, families and employees.
- Provide the services needed to support children of our essential service workers in the community.
- Support vulnerable students who may need special assistance.
- Provide continuity of educational opportunities for all students.
In Elementary, we are focusing on literacy and numeracy and aiming for 1 to 2 hours of work a day in addition to outdoor activities, Science and Fine Arts. In Secondary, our initial focus will be making sure students are meeting graduation requirements. The second area of focus will be ensuring our vulnerable students are supported. Each school will be connecting with their families to discuss and share learning opportunities for their students.
Next week, all our teachers will be working from home. They will be connecting with each of their students/families by telephone or email and beginning to plan for the delivery of learning opportunities in a different way now that face-to-face instruction is no longer possible. Our goal is to stay connected and keep the learning agenda moving forward for all our students. Details from your child(s) school will be coming to you via the teacher contacts and school emails. Schools will also be working with families to facilitate opportunities for students to retrieve any personal items they may need to support them in their learning. Again, details will be forthcoming from the schools. Please do not send your student to school next week. Schools will be providing further information for families in the coming days.
Thank you again for your patience, understanding and flexibility. Your school will be sending out information about subsequent weeks, learning activities and schedules. We are all working together to make sure our students make the most of the opportunities provided to them in these difficult times. We need your help as we move forward. I encourage you to stay in contact with your school.
We encourage you to refer to the school district website regularly for frequent, relevant and accurate information regarding COVID-19 and its impact on education. You can visit the webpage at the following link: https://bit.ly/SD71_COVID19FAQs
Please take care of yourself and each other.
Respectfully,
Tom Demeo
Superintendent of Schools School District No. 71 (Comox Valley)