Summer message from the Director of Education

Limestone Learning Foundation
Summer message from the Director of Education
Posted on 06/24/2021
Image of graphic that says "Enjoy your summer break"

Dear Families,

Thank you! It seems fitting to begin my last message of the 2020-2021 school year with my appreciation to families and students for your patience, support and understanding as we navigated this year that has been like no other.

While almost everything looked different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am proud of the way our school communities have faced the ongoing changes and challenges. The past year has not been easy on anyone but, together, we have done our best to support students and each other. We know the pandemic has taken a toll.  This is also reflected in feedback from our most recent survey on virtual learning. Whether your student was enrolled in the LDSB Virtual School by choice, or was transitioned to virtual learning because of a COVID-19 exposure, or due to provincially mandated suspensions of in-person classes, we will use this data to help us plan and enhance future virtual learning opportunities. You can read more about the survey feedback on the board website. Moving into 2021-2022, educators will continue to meet every learner where they are, and move them beyond any interrupted learning opportunities that may have occurred this spring. 

The remote survey results tell us what we already knew: the 2020-2021 school year was challenging for students. In recognition of the significant effect the pandemic had on student mental health and well-being, Limestone is once again offering a summer mental health support line. Beginning in mid-July, board mental health professionals are available to consult, complete well-being check-ins, and/or assist students and families in navigating community resources during the summer break. Learn more about how to access this service on the board website.

The board recently received Ministry of Education approval on the 2021-2022 School-Year Calendar. The first day of school for students will be Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, following the Labour Day holiday. School staff will begin with a Professional Activity Day on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. You can review the full calendar on the board website.

The Ministry of Education has provided school boards with some preliminary guidance for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, and planning will continue over the summer break. We will continue to work closely with KFL&A Public Health and other partners on providing safe environments to return to in-person learning. Based on Public Health information, there is much optimism for the fall as COVID-19 case counts in our region continue to drop and vaccinations continue to increase. We remain hopeful for a return to “normal” activities in September, but we do anticipate some health and safety precautions will remain in place. We will share more details as they become available, likely in mid to late August so that we can share the most up-to-date information.

In the meantime, I wish families, students and staff a healthy and happy summer. I hope that everyone will have an opportunity to rest and recharge at some point. Be safe and have fun!

Krishna Burra
Director of Education

 

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.