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Dear Students, Parents/Guardians, Families and Staff:
It is hard to believe that we are approaching the middle of November and that classrooms have been busy, active places of learning for over two months. Our newly created virtual school has also been in place for two months, with the unique learning opportunities it has provided for well over 2,000 Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) students outside the traditional classroom.
I am impressed with how well everyone has navigated these changes amid the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. This has truly been a remarkable team effort. Thank you to everyone involved_families, parents/guardians, students and staff who have worked tirelessly to support learning and inspire our students.
As an organization, HPEDSB continues to work in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health for COVID-19 guidance and resources. Students and staff have adjusted to the new normal, including physical distancing and other pandemic-related requirements.
The mid-term for elementary students is almost here and Octomester 2/Block B for secondary students ends tomorrow. In previous letters, I explained that the two learning models_in-person school and virtual school_will continue for the remainder of this school year. Term 2 for elementary students begins in mid-February 2021 and Semester 2 for secondary begins February 1, 2021.
As we think ahead to the new term and semester, advance planning is required to ensure both learning models have adequate teaching and support staff in place for safe and effective school operations. With that in mind, we ask families to decide where their children will learn for Term 2 (elementary) and Semester 2 (secondary): either at in-person school or virtual school.
If your child will remain at their current school, no action is required. If you wish to move your child to in-person school from virtual school, or vice-versa, please contact your child's principal byWednesday, January 6, 2021. Depending on the number of changes requested, we anticipate class reorganizations may occur in February. Although it is too early to know what that will look like, I acknowledge that each family will make decisions based on what is best for them.
Thank you for your adaptability and understanding as we do our best to help students feel welcome, included and successful at school.
Sincerely,
Sean Monteith
Director of Education