We’ve heard more feedback from parents requesting information about what distance learning will look like for their children in Kindergarten to grade 6. We hope the information below provides you with more clarity on the questions you have.
When does school start? And how do I log in?
- Kindergarten to grade 3: Tuesday, September 8.
- Grades 4 to 6: Wednesday, September 9.
Your child’s homeroom teacher will send you an email with classroom login instructions before the start of their first day of school. This may not happen until early on the morning of their first day.
Check out the Virtual Program website
We’ve created a new website for the OCSB Elementary Virtual Program where you can find information, updates and resources.
How will my child’s classes work?
Your child will be assigned a homeroom class for their first day of school. Given the circumstances, the scheduling of all other subjects (including French) will take some time, but your homeroom teacher will keep you updated. Attendance will be taken in the morning and the afternoon.
Welcome to our Kinders!
If your child is in Kindergarten, you will receive a welcome video on Friday, September 4. In the video, we will share a fun activity for you and your child to get their at-home learning environment ready!
Below you find sample timetables for students learning from home in our Virtual Program for Kindergarten and grades 1 to 6.
Kindergarten Virtual Program (Sample Timetable)
| Time | Kindergarten Learning Activities |
|---|---|
| 8:30-9:30 am | Welcome & Learning Time |
| 9:30-10:00 am | Learning Through Play & Wellness Time |
| 10:00-11:00 am | Learning Time |
| 11:00 am-12:00 pm | Lunch Time |
| 12:00-1:00 pm | Learning Through Play & Wellness Time |
| 1:00-2:00 pm | Learning Time |
| 2:00-2:30pm | Learning Through Play & Wellness Time |
| 2:30-3:00 pm | Independent Learning Time |
Note: This is a sample timetable to give you an overview of your child’s day. Actual start times will vary by class. You will be contacted before classes start with your child’s exact start time.
Welcome time refers to things such as attendance, announcements, prayer, land acknowledgement, and the singing of O Canada. Similar to what your child would typically experience if they were attending school in person.
Learning time refers to the time that your child will have online instruction with an educator in real-time, also known as synchronous learning. During this time, your child may have a combination of directed and independent learning activities. Your child’s teacher may use text, video, and or voice communication in both English and French.
Your child will not be expected to sit in front of the screen for the entire hour. Your teacher will contact you with more details on what this time will look like for your child’s Kindergarten class.
According to the Ministry of Education, students in Kindergarten will have 3 hours (180 minutes) of synchronous (online in real-time) learning and 2 hours (120 minutes) of asynchronous (not real-time, pre-recorded learning opportunities and assigned tasks) learning.
Independent learning time refers to learning activities without real-time direction from your child’s teacher also known as asynchronous learning.
Learning through play & wellness times are an opportunity for your child to have a break from the screen, eat a snack and or get outside for some physical activity. This is done independently without real-time direction from your child’s teacher.
Grade 1 to 6 Virtual Program (Sample Timetable)
| Time | Grade 1-6 Learning Activities |
|---|---|
| 8:30-9:45 am | Welcome & Instructional Block |
| 9:45-10:00 am | Wellness Time |
| 10:00-11:15 am | Instructional Block |
| 11:15 am-12:15 pm | Lunch Time |
| 12:15-1:30 pm | Instructional Block |
| 1:30-1:45 pm | Wellness Time |
| 1:45-3:00 pm | Instructional Block |
*Note: This is a sample timetable to give you an overview of your child’s day. Actual start times will vary by class. You will be contacted before classes start with your child’s exact start time.
Welcome time refers to things such as attendance, announcements, prayer, land acknowledgement, and the singing of O Canada. Similar to what your child would typically experience if they were attending school in person.
Instructional block refers to the time that your child will have online instruction with an educator in real-time, also known as synchronous learning. During this time, your child may have a combination of directed and independent learning activities. Your child’s teacher may use text, video, and or voice communication. Your teacher will contact you with more details on what this time will look like for your child’s class.
According to the Ministry of Education, students in grades 1 to 6 will have 3.75 hours (225 minutes) of synchronous (online in real-time) learning and 1.25 hours (75 minutes) of asynchronous (not real-time, pre-recorded learning opportunities and assigned tasks) learning.
Subjects your child will learn during the instructional blocks: English, Mathematics, French, Religion & Family Life, Arts, Science, Social Studies, Health & Physical Education.
Wellness times are an opportunity for your child to have a break from the screen, eat a snack and or get outside for some physical activity. This is done independently without real-time direction from your child’s teacher.
Still have questions?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for Back to School on our website. It gets updated regularly and is divided into sections to make it easier to get through. If you still have questions, you can contact us by email at Virtual.Elementary@ocsb.ca.