Students in the Kamloops-Thompson School district are back to class in the form of virtual learning getting underway this week.
Speaking on The Jeff Andreas Show, Superintendent of Schools Alison Sidow says this is uncharted territory for everyone. She says it is reaching out to parents to make sure they feel comfortable. “It’s a daunting task to think that you not only have to care for your family and work, but now you’re also educating your students as well. So, we also are reaching out to parents and ensuring that they’re feeling comfortable and understand that we are not expecting a full service model or them to be teachers.”
“Parents should expect two contacts a week from their teachers. That’s kind of is the standard or the guideline that we have set for ourselves. Obviously secondary students, they’re more independent, they have more dense curriculums that they’re trying to work through. So we expect more from our secondary students” says Sidow. She says for elementary student, teachers will offer a variety of things to do at home, but the most important thing for them to do is read.
“This is really a partnership between parents between parents and teachers. So, if you’re not understanding something or if you’re feeling overwhelmed with the expectations from your teacher, just reach out. Our teachers want to do the very best they can for families and we understand that many families are under a lot of pressures, particularly those who may have financial pressures. So reach out to your teacher, reach out to your school principle, we’re there to help.”
Sidow says students who don’t have access to technology at home are being accommodated by loaning materials and if connectivity is a problem, she says some staff are prepared to pick up materials and resources to facilitate learning in some capacity.
Sidow also has a message for those who are going to have trouble putting food on the table saying to let them help. “Contact your school, contact your, we have access to some resources for food through our food programs and we’d be happy to steer you in the right direction and if you need support with parenting at this time, we have some counselors that can assist.”
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