The Arts - Drama/Dance
Due to physical distancing requirements, teachers may choose to focus on creation/interpretation to address the overall curriculum expectations.
The Arts - Music (Instrumental and Vocal)
In order to support the Health and Safety protocols, the following will be in place:
Teachers will continue to support learning and achievement through a balance of the three overall expectations within The Arts curriculum, which will include experiences and opportunities to play/perform as well as compose, arrange, investigate and analyse music from a range of time periods and cultures, with an emphasis on local and world contemporary artists and composers.
The Arts - Visual Arts
Visual Arts programs will continue and safety protocols will be maintained. It is acceptable, but not required, for students to bring their own materials for personal use in Visual Arts classrooms.
French
Instruction in French will continue.
Health and Physical Education
COVID-19 will affect how Health and Physical Education can be delivered and we are awaiting provincial guidelines related to physical activity. Please see COVID-19 Pandemic: Return to School Canadian Physical and Health Education Guidelines.
Revised Elementary Math Curriculum
On June 23, 2020, the Ministry of Education released a new Elementary Math Curriculum focused on “fundamental mathematics concepts and skills, as well as on making connections between related math concepts, between mathematics and other disciplines, and between mathematics and everyday life.” The new curriculum will be implemented starting in September 2020. The Ministry has indicated that there are plans to make the Elementary Math Curriculum website interactive and to include supports such as sample questions, long-range plans as well as information for parents.
The new math curriculum for Grades 1 to 8 includes six major areas called “strands”:
1. Social-Emotional Learning Skills and the Mathematical Processes
2. Number (Number Sense, Operations)
3. Algebra (Patterns and Relationships, Equations and Inequalities, Coding, Mathematical Modelling)
4. Data (Data Literacy, Probability)
5. Spatial Sense (Geometric and Spatial Reasoning, Measurement)
6. Financial Literacy (Money, Finances)
Outdoor Education
Curriculum-based outdoor education programming for students in Grades 2, 4 and 7 will continue, however, until further notice, all field trips are cancelled. As such, there will be no environmental literacy and outdoor learning at YRDSB Outdoor Education Centres (i.e., Swan Lake, Milne, Burrlington, Vivian, and Sibbald Point). Outdoor Education Centre staff members will provide outreach programs to schools.
Reading Recovery
Beginning in September, Reading Recovery teachers will provide one-to-one literacy support for Grade 2 students who were unable to finish or access Reading Recovery lessons in the 2019/2020 school year.
Grade 1 Reading Recovery implementation is planned to resume in November 2020 for the remainder of the school year, provided it is safe to do so.
Science
Science programs will continue and safety protocols will be maintained. (e.g., students will be provided with gloves and goggles where appropriate).
EQAO
Primary and Junior EQAO assessments will not take place during the 2020-21 school year.
Special Education
We recognize that all our students are unique and will have different needs when we return to schools and classrooms. Our staff are committed to following Public Health guidelines to provide the safest environment and care for our students and staff. Learn more about special education services and supports.
English Language Learners
All English Language Learners will have access, as appropriate, to:
School-Based ESL/ELD program supports, Elementary & Secondary or
Regional ELD Programs, Elementary & Secondary
Culturally and linguistically responsive ESL/ELD Program Models are informed by a variety of school and student factors. Programs will continue to be flexible and responsive to shifting/challenging home or community circumstances to address equity of access, safety and privacy for all students.
ESL/ELD teachers will provide in-class support to students, while adhering to all Health and Safety considerations.
Due to safety protocols, physically withdrawing English Language Learners from multiple homeroom classes and re-grouping them for “Intensive” or “Tutorial” Program Support may not be possible.
Before and After School Child Care