Superintendent’s Office
March 9, 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This current school year has seen students and teachers teaching and learning in various formats, making schedules and routines a challenge. As we approach the upcoming March break, I wanted to reach out to our community to offer my continued appreciation for your work in supporting your children with their schoolwork and in following the fundamentals despite the Covid fatigue that has settled in and become part of our routine.
This past year has brought many unpredictable changes to our lives and interactions. The ongoing challenges and unknowns can impact our wellbeing and leave some people feeling anxious and overwhelmed at times. Please be reminded that the province has put together some resources for parents and students or anyone you are aware of who is experiencing stress as a result of COVID-19. Resources continue to be available within the school and school division as well.
Please find some additional important information below:
Term 2 Report Cards – Teachers in Grades K-8 are busy compiling meaningful assessments to provide a snapshot of where your child’s learning is at for this reporting period.
Here are some relevant items to remember and consider as you receive your child’s report card:
- This term has included transitions between classroom learning, remote learning, and blended learning due to changing public health orders. This has been a challenge for some students.
- The foundational concepts that students require to make progress in their learning are still being acquired.
- We must adjust expectations for progress based on the current learning environment. It will take longer for some students to acquire the foundational skills.
- Report cards may have some areas marked as “NA” or “IN” due to our focus on core curricular areas.
- Some students may have report card marks of “1” or “ND” (not yet demonstrated) on their second term report card. This means that students are not yet able to have a solid or complete grasp of Term 2 concepts at this reporting period.
- Your child’s teacher will plan the next steps to help your child learn the foundational pieces they require to succeed in school.
Your child’s teachers will work diligently to plan learning experiences based upon your child’s current knowledge, understanding and skills, to help them grow and make progress as learners. If you have specific questions about your child’s learning or progress, please make arrangements to speak to your child’s teacher directly.
School Concerts – Due to current public health orders, in-person spring concerts have been cancelled for this year.
Updated Guidance on Close Contacts and Self-Isolation – On Feb. 22, 2021, public health officials provided updated guidance on close contacts and self-isolation requirements. The following bulletin issued on Mar. 1, 2021, provides an overview of this guidance and information from public health officials on variants of COVID-19. View MB Education COVID-19 Bulletin #8.
COVID-19 Dashboard – The province has introduced a new dashboard that provides Manitobans with current information about COVID-19 cases among students and staff in Manitoba schools, including cases within the last 14 days and the total number of cases since Sept. 1, 2020. View Provincial Dashboard for Schools.
We thank you for your continued cooperation and patience with adapting to these evolving conditions. As partners in the education of your children, your support is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Shelley Amos, Interim Superintendent/CEO
Hanover School Division