Grand Erie returning to the semester model

FRIDAY, DEC. 10, 2021

B

eginning February 4, 2022, all Grand Erie secondary schools will be returning to the semester model from the current quadmester model.

What this will mean for high school students is a move to four classes a day from February to June, instead of the current two, 150-minute classes running through the quadmester.

The Ministry of Education recently gave school boards permission to make this move, pending consultation with local public health units. Grand Erie consulted with the Brant County Health Unit and the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit and received the green light for this change. We believe this return to a more balanced semester model supports wellness and consolidation of learning for students and staff.

This represents a sequenced progression of change and improvement to learning environments over past months, from online only, to the quadmester model for in-person learning, and now an opportunity to move back to what educators and researchers believe is a better model, and what parents and students have been broadly asking for across the province.

The quadmester model was intended to be a short-term solution with a goal to limit contact between students. With low levels of COVID-19 cases at secondary schools and a high vaccination rate among secondary students, the transition back to a semester model marks the achievement of another milestone on the path to creating a more normal secondary experience for students. As we move into 2022, the board will be engaging secondary students to provide input on ways this transition could be made as positively as possible. We are consulting with our Student Trustees on the best process to receive this input.

While many students and families are eagerly anticipating this change back to the semester model, we know for others there is apprehension. Safety remains our top priority. We continue to work with our public health partners to ensure health and safety measures and school protocols are responsive to keep students and staff safe.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding as we continue to navigate this global pandemic and support student engagement and learning.

Blood, Sweat & Cheers!

Port Dover Health & Fitness Centre & Port Dover Chiropractic Centre hosted the third annual community fundraiser "Blood Sweat & Cheers Port Dover" on Saturday, June 17, 2017! This 5 km obstacle fun run resulted in all proceeds donated to Lakewood Elementary and St. Cecilia's for outdoor recreational equipment and refurbishments to the Todd Eaton Memorial track. Lakewood Elementary School staff, parents and students are truly grateful for this support. Thank YOU!

Running Club - Wednesdays 3:15 to 4:15pm

Our focus will be track training for sprints and long distance.

Students should have proper footwear - running shoes not board shoes. A light jacket or sweater is often needed and track pants, capris or soccer style shorts.

The Running Club maintains a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere which allows all levels of runners to develop their running.

Watch the newsletter for information and updates.