Virtual School Information

Limestone Learning Foundation

The Limestone District School Board will continue to offer a Virtual School option for students who learn best in the online environment, or require a virtual environment due to underlying medical conditions for themselves or their family members. Families with students currently enrolled in Virtual School will receive communication about next steps from the Virtual School. Please see more information in the frequently asked questions below.

What does Virtual School look like?

Virtual Schools are intended for students who learn best in the online environment, or require a virtual environment due to underlying medical conditions for themselves or for family members. Given that there is no new government funding, at this time, to support virtual schools, program options for LDSB Virtual Schools will look different.

  • Elementary (K to Grade 8): Students entering Kindergarten to Grade 8 who opt for Virtual School, will be provided with a combination of whole class instruction, guided instruction, individual support and “office hours” for each full-time assignment. Core French programming will be available to students in Grades 4 to 8 only. Due to staffing constraints, Choices at 7 programs and French Immersion programming will only be offered at in-person school. The LDSB Elementary Virtual School will operate from 8:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. daily.
  • Secondary (Grades 9-12):  Students in Grades 9 to 12 will follow the semester model (four courses at a time). Like in-person school, course demand will determine which courses run. Courses that rely on hands-on experiences, including International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, Specialist High Skills Major, co-operative education, technology, art, and physical and health education will only be offered in-person. The LDSB Secondary Virtual School will operate on a typical school timetable, from 8:30 am to 2:35 p.m. daily.

Will Virtual School teachers continue to be Limestone staff?

All LDSB Virtual School elementary teachers will be Limestone staff. In secondary, Limestone staff will teach current course offerings. Courses offered through the e-learning consortium could be taught by teachers from across the province.

Could there be combined grades in elementary Virtual School?

Yes. As is the case with in-person schools, combined grade classes are created when there are too many or too few students in a single grade to create one class. For example, at times there are too many students to form one class, but not enough students to form two single grade classes.

Could there be combined classes in secondary Virtual School?

Yes. Grade 9/10 and 11/12 courses may be combined and run together in the same class. This allows for flexibility with timetabling, and aligns with many virtual classes from this school year which were also stacked.

What are the courses available for Grade 9?

The timetable for Grade 9 students includes a set number of 8 courses as follows (conditional on sufficient enrollment)

  • Math
  • English
  • Science
  • Geography
  • French
  • Physical and Health Education
  • Business
  • Elective (Drama or Foods)

What are the courses for Grade 10?

The timetable for Grade 10 students includes a set number of 8 courses as follows (conditional on sufficient enrollment):

  • Math
  • English
  • Science
  • History
  • Careers/Civics
  • Learning Strategies
  • Physical and Health Education
  • Elective (Drama or Foods)

What are the courses for Grade 11 & 12?

Options for Grade 11 and 12 students are limited. Current options for Grade 11 and 12 students through LDSB e-learning or blended learning include: 

  • NBE3C/3U (English – Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Voices)
  • MBF3C/MCR3U (Math)
  • BAF3M (Accounting)
  • GWL30 (Designing Your Future)
  • PPZ3C (Health for Life)
  • ENG4C/4U (English)
  • MCT4C (Mathematics for College Technology)
  • MDM4U (Data Management)
  • SPH4U (Physics)
  • BAT4M (Accounting)
  • HSB4U (Challenge and Change) 
  •  HIP40 (Personal Life Management) 

Other Grade 11 and 12 courses may be offered through e-learning or blended learning conditional on sufficient enrollment. E-learning and blended learning courses are taught by LDSB educators. Students may also take e-learning courses through the provincial consortium, which are taught by educators from other school boards.

The courses listed will not constitute a full year of programming for some students. Students who register for Secondary Virtual School next year will have individual timetables developed from the limited range of courses available through the e-Learning consortium, blended learning, and Secondary Virtual School

Will there be special education and mental health supports in the new virtual schools?

We know from this years’ experience that most mental health supports and special education supports, including district special education classes, best meet students’ needs when delivered in an in-person environment. The board will, however, work with virtual schools and students to ensure students’ mental health and special education needs are met as best as can be. Please note that district special education classes will only be offered in person next year.

Will there be extra-curricular activities for virtual school students?

The virtual schools may offer online opportunities wherever possible such as GSAs and spirit day/week-type events as they did this year.

Will students be connected to their home schools as was the case this year?

Given school boards have been informed that we should not expect additional funding next year to support the virtual school beyond regular per pupil funding, and to allow for staffing of each model, students will not be able to move back and forth between modes of learning.  The LDSB Virtual Schools will be operated as separate schools.

Why is the Secondary Virtual School school day starting earlier than this year?

Because the Virtual School is a permanent year-long commitment, we are aligning it with our existing secondary schools so we can manage shared staff.

If my student is returning to in-person learning, do I need to register?

No. All students will be automatically moved back to their in-person school and registered in their home school for September 2021. You do not need to register if your student is returning to in-person school unless you are new to the Limestone District School Board

If my student is returning to in-person learning and normally takes the school bus, do I need to do anything?

Please confirm with your home school that you are still registered with Tri-Board for transportation and apply if needed. If you cancelled your transportation when you transferred to virtual school, you will need to reapply for transportation

Can we opt in and out of in-person and virtual learning in 2022-2023?

No. Enrolment in the virtual school is meant to be a permanent year-long commitment. In most cases, students for whom virtual learning is best are already part of the LDSB Virtual Schools. Any movement will be dependent on space. Wait lists may exist for some elementary grades or subject areas in secondary.

Enrolment in the virtual school is meant to be a permanent year-long commitment. After school begins next year, if you find that a change is required to provide your student with the best learning environment, you may request a transfer between schools. Please note a transfer is not guaranteed and can only happen if there is room for your student in classes at the school, and the change will not require a classroom to close or staffing changes at either school.

How do I register my student for virtual school?

Families do not need to register if their student is returning to in-person school in September 2021. If families are new to LDSB, they would first register using the board’s existing online registration process.
If you would like to register your elementary student for the LDSB Virtual School for September 2021, please call 613 544-6925 ext. 218 no later than Thursday, August 26, 2021. If your elementary student is currently enrolled in the LDSB Virtual School, and you would like your student to return to their home school, please contact that school directly the week of August 30, 2021.

If you would like to register your secondary student for the LDSB Virtual School for September 2021, please call 613-544-6925 ext. 229 no later than Thursday, August 26, 2021. As secondary virtual school has limited space, new students may be placed on a waitlist. If your secondary student is currently enrolled in the LDSB Virtual School, and you would like your student to return to their home school, please contact that school directly the week of August 30, 2021

What if students don’t have access to a device (Chromebook, laptop, computer)?

LDSB will continue to loan devices to students who require one to engage in LDSB Virtual School (elementary and secondary).

What if students don’t have access to Internet at home, but want to enrol in LDSB Virtual School?

LDSB will continue to assist in providing Internet access for students to engage in LDSB Virtual School (elementary and secondary) during the 2021-2022 school year, where Internet access does not already exist.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

  • Elementary Virtual School: If you have any questions, please contact the school at 613-817-9322 or email.
  • Secondary Virtual School: If you have any questions, please contact the school at 613-542-7369 or email.
  • If you require technology support, please visit our Virtual School / Remote Learning Technology Support webpage.

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