All Schools Moving Temporarily to Remote Learning

Online learning begins January 5

On January 3, the Province of Ontario has directed all Ontario schools to pivot to remote learning for two weeks, with an anticipated return to in-person learning on January 17 for secondary and January 18 for elementary (January 17 is a PA day for elementary). 

Device Needs Survey

Grand Erie is prepared to support students who may need devices (laptops or tablets) or connectivity to continue their learning from home. Please contact your school to advise of any device needs.

During this remote learning period, D2L Brightspace and other virtual platforms will be used to provide synchronous and asynchronous learning to students throughout the school day. This includes students in Grand Erie Learning Alternatives (GELA).  

Teachers and support staff will reach out to students and families to provide online learning access information and directions by January 5. Asynchronous learning will be available on January 5 for all students, and by Friday, January 7, all teachers will be delivering synchronous learning to their classes.

Grand Erie students already enrolled in virtual online learning classes are not impacted by today’s announcement, and will resume online learning on Wednesday, January 5.

Students with Special Education Needs

If your child has special education needs, we expect that they will also learn virtually during this time period.  In very rare cases, some students with pervasive and extensive special education needs may not be able to access their program virtually.  Grand Erie can offer some opportunities for these students to learn in-person. Your school Principal will be reaching out, or please contact your school directly.

Families and students looking for assistance with technology support during online learning can contact the Parent Help Desk: parent.techsupport@granderie.ca or 519-756-6301, extension: 287080. Toll-free: 1-888-548-8878, extension: 287080. Resources to support online learning are also available.

As directed by the government, Grand Erie will continue to provide access to on-site childcare centres. 

Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room

Elgin Avenue Public School welcomed staff, students and community to the Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

On hand for this special occasion was Chair of the Board Carol Ann Sloat, Trustee Rita Collver and Superintendent Liana Thompson as well as several members of the community that contributed to the fundraising, and Elgin staff members.

Allie Richardson (teacher of students with autism), Lori Minarik (EA working with students with autism) and Samantha Nicholson (Principal) worked together for over three and a half years to fundraise for this $30,000 project. The Elgin community, parents, local charities and the Grand Erie District School Board all came together to make this project a huge success.

A Snoezelen Room is a multi-sensory environment that provides a controlled, safe, relaxing space for individuals with a variety of sensory needs. The room is set up to give individuals a positive space where they can meet their specific needs in a calming atmosphere. This atmosphere helps in reducing fear, anxieties, repetitive behaviour, self-abusive behaviour and aggressive behaviour so that students are better able to learn. Students at Elgin in both self-contained classes and in the regular classes will be able to access the room to help meet their sensory needs.

According to Seth, a student who accesses the room daily, “It is the best room ever!!!”