KITCHENER -- Publicly-funded schools may be closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean class is cancelled.
The first week of virtual teaching is wrapping up, as millions of students across the province took their learning online.
It’s been a learning curve for everyone involved, as students, parents, teachers, and principals navigate a new way of learning during this pandemic.
The province rolled out its distance learning on Monday, guiding teachers to upload lessons and assignments online for students.
One principal at a Guelph school says it’s been a different and strange way to communicate and teach students, but overall it’s been a good first week.
“For everybody this is a strange time and we’re trying to figure out what it is,” says Hanna Morris, principal at Priory Park Public School. “But I know that I felt comfort from hearing, at least through type, children’s voice and what they’re saying and it’s been really good for us that way.”
Morris adds that it’s amazing how quickly students and teachers have adapted to the new program.
“It is new and strange and I’m not sure what it will look like, but we’re just happy to be connecting back with kids again,” she says.
For students who don’t have technology at home, the Upper Grand District School Board says they are in the process of delivering chrome books to them to ensure all students continue to learn and grow online.
Grade two student Alanna Bryne spent two hours a day doing schoolwork her teacher posted online.
"It's been fun but I still miss doing it at the actual school," she said. "My Mom isn't, like, an expert, so she doesn't really know how to explain it in the same way my teacher would explain it."
Alanna's mother Tracey says the challenges have emerged with children at home.
"It's easier for me to say your teacher's sent this work to do rather than me just saying I think we should do this now," she said. "Having the younger child at home, having kids in different grades make it a challenge, particularly when we're all extra stressed at the moment."
Emma Reay, a teacher at Jean Little Public School in Guelph, says the biggest hurdle is not being able to connect face-to-face.
"The lack of being able to have those conversations and being able to figure out when you're starting something new, whereabouts, fending questions, and having class discussions," she said.
Ultimately, Reay calls the first week of the new program a success.
Waterloo Region District School Board says that while teachers have been in contact with students, the distance learning has not officially start. It's set to kick off next week after the holiday.
