Continuing of Student Learning at LOS

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

As of March 20, 2020, Alberta Education has released new guidelines to direct how students will learn.

These new guidelines align well with the Wolf Creek Learning Support Plan that was discussed with school administrators on March 19. The full media release can be found at this link from the Government of Alberta website.

This approach was developed in consultation with a variety of education leaders to identify how teacher-directed learning could occur for students across Alberta. Each school board has been provided with the flexibility required to meet the unique needs of their students.

Continuity of Student Learning and Content Delivery

Within Wolf Creek, teachers of pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 students will offer at-home learning opportunities, either through online means or through other accommodations, such as course packages, web based connections and telephone check-ins. The Government of Alberta expects that every student, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status, will continue to learn while in-school classes across the province are cancelled. 

To assist with identifying what content needs to be delivered a Wolf Creek Learning Support Plan will be provided to school administrators and teachers after Spring Break. Teachers will evaluate curricular outcomes that have not yet been covered, prioritize remaining outcomes based on what is manageable for students working from home, and will plan specific tasks and projects for students.

The content delivery for Grade 7-9 and Grade 10-12 are as follows:

Grades 7-9

Education content will focus on core mathematics, language/literacy, science and social studies curriculum outcomes. Teachers will assign an average of 10 hours of work per student per week for Grade 7-9, and will be expected to work with their students and parents on the delivery of these materials.

Grades 10-12

Education content will focus on specified and core courses required for high school graduation requirements, including language (English, French and French language arts), Social Studies, Mathematics and Sciences, including Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Content from other courses such as Career and Technology Studies (CTS) will be delivered where possible, and accommodations for students unable to complete courses will be made.

Teachers will connect with their students following March 30 with further details.

Grade Progression and Report Cards

Every student will receive final grades and will receive a report card, appropriate to their grade level. 

Assessment Practices

Within Wolf Creek Public Schools, teachers will be responsible for assessing a student’s progress as it unfolds in individual circumstances. At the end of June students will be assigned a final grade. Wolf Creek school administrators and teachers will continue to ensure parents are consulted and kept informed of how assessment will be determined in this unique circumstance. 

We want to emphasize that all students who were on track to progress to the next grade will do so. We remain committed to work with high school students to complete their courses to the best of their ability, providing a final mark and awarding credits. If a student is unable to complete a course that would have allowed them to progress to the next grade, principals will discuss that situation with the affected student and parent.

High School Diploma Criteria

Students on track to receive 100 or more credits will still be eligible to graduate and receive a high school diploma. Principals have the ability to award up to 15 credits to students in Grade 12 whose program has been negatively impacted by class cancellations. For any courses that are started, we are committed to complete them with the student, to the best of their ability, and provide a final mark and award credits.

If a student is unable to complete a course that would have led them to achieving a high school diploma, such as a work experience, dual-credit or a career and technology studies course, principals have the ability to award credits to ensure the student graduates.

Provincial Assessments

Alberta Education has confirmed that all Grade 6 and 9 provincial achievement tests and Grade 12 diploma exams for April and June are cancelled. Under special circumstances, students can also request to write a diploma exam by contacting the school principal directly.

All of us at LOS will be working diligently to ensure that your students' learning opportunities will continue through this unprecedented and challenging time. We look forward to connecting with you after March 30 around the learning plan for your child. We appreciate your patience as we adjust to this new model of delivery and we recognize that we will need to adapt to specific household circumstances. Please monitor for updates on the Wolf Creek School Division homepage as well as the Lacombe Outreach homepage.

We hope that you and your family stay safe and healthy during this time.

On behalf of Lacombe Outreach Staff,

Robert Reid
Principal,
Lacombe Outreach School