While the KPDSB created a virtual school to welcome students for the 2020-2021 school year, the 2021-2022 school year saw a dramatic decline in the number of families choosing remote learning. In September 2020, more than 800 students were enrolled in virtual learning. In September 2021. Just under 100 students Board-wide were learning virtually.
Due to the decline in virtual learning students, Open Roads Public School in Dryden oversaw the provision of elementary virtual learning, while KPDSB secondary schools provided remote learning for their students who had chosen that option.
September 2021 had a smooth start with three virtual classes for elementary learners (42 students total). Students learning virtually have all the staff resources of an in-person school including special education programming and access to the school counsellor. Virtual learning students have access to Ojibway or French as a second language during their day.
Elementary students learning virtually were welcomed into the Open Roads family/community. The school ensured remote learning students were connected to the school with welcome-back-to-school assemblies, a Halloween costume show and participation in the Open Roads Christmas concert. Each remote learning student also received a backpack full of school supplies to start the year.
We continue to be amazed at the ingenuity of our virtual staff in finding and developing authentic technological academic experiences for our kids.
