The Renfrew County District School Board is getting ready to launch a new “online learning portal” in response to the province’s order to keep schools closed until at least May 4.

A link to the new portal – called “RCDSB@HOME” will be emailed to parents at the end of the day on Friday, April 3. It will also be available on all school board websites and pinned to the board’s social media channels.

In an announcement Wednesday, the board said the portal will contain “guidelines, resources, strategies and tips for consideration as an integral part of the plan to support continuity of learning for students during this unprecedented time.”

The portal will be organized into two main sites – one for students and their parents, the other for teachers and members of board staff.

“The RCDSB@HOME portal will evolve over time for the duration of the closure of our schools as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic,” the board said.

“Additional guidelines, resources, strategies and tips will be integrated into the portal, including aspects related to assessment and evaluation of students’ learning over time.

“This is important as we wish to create an online learning portal that is as authentic and engaging as possible for all students.”

“These are challenging times for our students and school communities and we thank you for your ongoing patience as we work toward supporting the ongoing learning of all students.”

The province announced Monday that Ontario schools will remain closed until at least May 4.

“As these dates come closer, this decision will be re-evaluated based on public health advice. The closure may be extended if necessary to protect the health and safety of students, families and staff,” the province said in its announcement.

“We miss your children; our students”

In a letter to parents last week, Mackenzie Community School prinicipal Cathy McCann-Kyte said that school staff were developing a “learning strategy” that would be implemented starting April 6.

“The learning strategy is in its infancy stages at this time,” she said.

“Once we know more, we will share the information with you.

“In the meantime, please know that our staff is in contact with each other and we are working together on how to continue student learning.

“The staff cares deeply and is committed to doing ‘whatever it takes’ to ensure learning continues for all our students.”

“We miss your children; our students,” McCann-Kyte added.

“We miss seeing their love of life when they enter Mackenzie Community School and their spark of excitement when they learn new things, but most of all, we miss connecting with them every day.

“We all are looking forward to being with your children; our students, again soon.”

A statement from the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board last week said schools like St. Mary’s and St. Anthony’s will also move to an online program next week.

The board said staff are “getting ready to support distance learning given that the school closure is going to extend beyond April 6.”

“We have been engaged in much planning so we can do as much distance learning, led by your teacher, as we can beginning April 6.

“For most of our students, digital learning tools such as Google Classroom will allow you to continue your learning and engage with your teacher and fellow classmates,” the board said.

“It will not be perfect and we are working on a number of issues such as what to do if you do not have access to internet or a device at home.

“As well, if you have an individual education plan, we want to find ways to support you.”

The board said that as schools make the “dramatic switch” from classroom spaces to a complete distance learning model, “we want you to know we miss you and are thinking of ways to do what we can to keep faith-filled learning happening at this extraordinary time.”

“If you are feeling worried about all this, you are not alone. We are working hard to eventually re-connect with everyone as best we can.

“Please continue to stay safe and stay home, continue to take care of one another and we ask you to especially pray for people affected by COVID-19 and for essential workers.”

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