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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A pr il 23 ,2 02 0 | 18 THE SITUATION All school and offices of the Halton Catholic Dis- trict School Board are closed and students are at home as a result of the on- going COVID-19 pandemic. As of today, schools are set to reopen on May 4. Howev- er, that return date is wide- ly expected to be extended. SO WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW? Not a whole lot. While the buildings themselves are closed, safety and secu- rity checks are conducted very few days by staff. In addition, emergency and preventive maintenance are continuing -- but even that is limited. Play- grounds and fields on the properties are also closed. A deep clean was done when the buildings first closed and another one is planned when the reopen- ing occurs. IF NEED BE, IS THE BOARD READY TO RETURN TO NORMAL SCHOOL OPERATIONS WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME? Board officials we spoke to say absolutely yes. The board will take its direc- tions on reopening from the ministry and Halton health services but they say staff and facilities are ready and able to be back in operation on short no- tice. The big challenge is anticipated to be around potential gaps in student learning as a result of the closure. They are current- ly in the process of provid- ing students with continu- ity learning to address those gaps. WHAT ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SITUATION WHERE SCHOOLS DON'T REOPEN UNTIL SEPTEM- BER? WILL CHILDREN NEED TO RETAKE THE GRADE? No. The ministry has been clear that students will not lose this year. The board has said that ensur- ing students successfully complete the year is its No. 1 priority. Secondary stu- dents are still gaining cred- its and elementary stu- dents will still be advanc- ing to the next grade. In the event the schools don't re- turn until September, the board will be looking at how to go back and fill in any learning gaps as a re- sult of the closures. WHAT ARE STUDENTS DOING NOW? The board has launched distance learning pro- gramming that permits some instruction for stu- dents online. It varies class-to-class, but does not always require online ac- cess and requires minimal parent or guardian invol- vement. Teachers have been encouraged to foster an online community. HAS SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BEEN AFFECTED? Yes. The government di- rection has halted school construction. It's not clear yet what effect it will have on completion timelines. CAN MY CHILD STILL BE REG- ISTERED FOR KINDERGARTEN NEXT YEAR? Mostly. There are two parts to the kindergarten registration process -- one online and one in person. The online portion, which can be done at www.hcds- b.org, is still very much open. The in-person part, which requires presenting documentation at the school, is on hold. HOW HAVE BOARD STAFF, TEACHERS AND SUPPORT WORK- ERS HANDLED THIS? Very well, according to Pat Daly, Halton Catholic District School Board's di- rector of education. "It's not surprising to us but certainly heartening that the amount of work they have put in. We are certainly trying to support them in every way we can, but we've got all kinds of different teacher and pro- fessional groups that have really arisen on their own. Teachers are reaching out to teachers or social work- ers and CYC are working together virtually to try to virtually support our stu- dents and families," said Daly. NEWS WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOARD? A TEMPERATURE CHECK ON THE #ESSENTIALSERVICES THAT KEEP THE REGION GOING "We've got all kinds of different teacher and professional groups that have really arisen on their own. Teachers are reaching out to teachers." - Pat DalyROLAND CILLIERS rcilliers@metroland.com SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA FULL-SERVICE RETIREMENT HOME 905-877-1800 222 Mountainview Road North, Georgetown www.mountainviewresidence.com Seniors enjoy an independent lifestyle with comfortable accommodations, personal care and other supportive services. Retirement living can be the best of times when you live in an atmosphere of comfort and family caring. Mountainview Residence Of Georgetown home� nder.ca Find the perfect home, start online at