THUNDER BAY - More high school students are opting to learn at home this upcoming quadmester, but Lakehead Public School Board officials say the new hybrid model of delivery still keeps them connected to the classroom.
Michelle Probizanski, superintendent of education with Lakehead Public Schools, said 84 students opted for virtual learning while 32 students opted to return to the classroom, giving a net gain of 52 secondary students opting for at-home learning during the most recent opt-in and opt-out period.
“I think we are seeing an increase of students going into virtual at the secondary level most likely during this quad because we’ve moved to the hybrid model, which means students can most often keep their timetable and they can join their classroom by virtual means and the teachers can teach face-to-face,” she said.
The hybrid model was announced earlier this month and will be instituted on Feb. 1. The model allows students learning at home and those in the classroom to be taught by the same teacher.
“I believe the benefit of a hybrid model is students won’t have to lose as much education time if they have to self-isolated due to a COVID case or close contact, as well if they are sick or have symptoms, they can also join their class virtually,” Probizanski said.
“The other benefit is we can offer a full breadth of programming for our secondary students, so there is substantiality in certain programs such as I.B. and French immersion.”
There are approximately 350 secondary students with the Lakehead Public School Board learning virtually. With the gain of 52 students in virtual learning, Probizanski said there might be a need to shift some staff in order to accommodate the larger virtual class sizes.
“We always have to take the time after we have a window like this to look at staffing and do some balancing and moving around and I’m sure there will be some adjustments made and that will include putting some staff in place,” she said.
On the elementary side, 80 students moved from one learning model to the other, but the transition was balanced between at-home learning and in-class learning.
Schools across Northern Ontario have been permitted to stay open during the province-wide COVID-19 lockdown.
“I think it’s important for our community to have some sense of normalcy,” Probizanski said. “There’s a variety of views and opinions as to whether schools be open or not. It is our job to ensure if we are open, we are providing the best possible education.”
A final opt in and opt out window will be coming before the final quadmester for the academic year. Probizanski said it is important that moving from one learning method to another is done during these periods to allow for adjustments to staffing and timetables.
