OCDSB to stagger return to school over 2 weeks

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)notified parents of a few changes to its back-to-school planWednesday.

An earlier draft had all students returning to school Sept. 3. Some parents were unhappy to learn secondary students returning to the classroom would be divided into two cohorts attending schoolfor as few as five hours per week, and details of the board's plan for remote learning were vague.

Those elements have changed. Here are some of the keypoints:

A staggered start

• The OCDSB is phasing in thestart to the school year, with some students starting Sept. 3, and the rest returning over the following two weeks.
• The youngest students and those with special needs in both elementary and secondary schools will start first, followed by the older students.
• More details on timing are expected next week.

In-person elementary school

• The new plan doesn't change the current schedule for younger students who are entering in-person learning.
• Elementary students will return to class full-time and will have to remain with their classmates all day, including during lunch and recess.
• Sample schedules are available for parents to consult on the OCDSB website.
• Masks willstill be required for students in grades4 and up.

Secondary students

• Secondary students will still be divided into cohorts,but will no longer alternate between two and three mornings per week in school, for as few as five hoursper week. Instead,they will attend school on alternating days, with two periods of instruction plus study hall.
• A sample schedule distributed Wednesday shows students in class for two 112.5-minute periods in the mornings, followed by 75 minutes of "independent learning with support" at home.
• On alternating days, students will participate in "self-directed learning at home," followed by a 75 minutes of "remote support/study hall."

Virtual learning

• All students, from kindergarten to Grade 12, will attend "virtual school" with students from across theirdistrict rather than from their own schools.
• Here's a sample schedule for remote learners.

Deadline extended

• Parents have until noon on Friday to decide or change their minds about whether they want remote or in-class learning for their children.
• For parents who don't make a decision, the school board will automatically assume the child is attending classes in person.