4 key things to know as students, teachers prepare to pivot back to remote learning

As the week-long spring break nears an end for London schools, students and staff are preparing to pivot back to online learning once again next week.

The Government of Ontario announced the delayed return to in-school learning on Monday as the province deals with a third wave of COVID-19 cases.

Mark Fisher, director of education with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), spoke on CBC's London Morning Thursday to provide an update.

CBC London has reached out to the London District Catholic School Board but has not yet received a response. 

When will students start online learning?

Secondary students will be returning to online classes Monday afternoon while elementary students will be learning on their own on Monday, to provide teachers the time to contact students and parents.

Teachers will provide students with a daily plan and ask whether any special supports or technology are needed.

Learning materials will be posted on digital learning platforms for elementary students to begin asynchronous learning on Monday.

Real-time online learning for elementary students is set to start on Tuesday.

What are schools supplying to students? 

More than 25,000 devices have already been distributed to students, Fisher said, but schools will check in with families on Monday to see if more essential school supplies are required.

Staff and students were told to prepare for a return to remote-learning following Spring Break by taking all of their essential learning materials. 

Will students with special needs be returning to in-person learning?

Students with complex special needs who are registered in Special Education classes will have the option of returning to in-person learning on Tuesday. There are approximately 1,100 students with complex special needs in TVDSB schools.

"We know for many of those families and many of those students, it's really, really challenging to have a high-quality learning experience remotely," Fisher said.

Will students return to classrooms before the end of the year?

While nothing is set in stone yet, Fisher said there is a possibility of students and staff having to continue remote learning for the remainder of the school year. 

"It's really, really challenging to make those predictions but I think that it's important we're prepared for any and all eventualities," he said. "If we're asked to return to in-person learning, we'll be ready but I think we have to be realistic and there is a chance that we are off for the rest of the school year." 

"It's probably not the news people want to hear but it's based on what's happening in the broader society."

Fisher said while his preference is for students is to return to classrooms, community cases may likely put a stop to that and in-person classes may not resume until September.