Since the threat of COVID-19 first became known, St. John’s-Kilmarnock School has been planning ahead to ensure that if their campus had to close, their students’ learning would continue. When their March Break finishes on March 30th, all students, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, will begin learning remotely through the school’s bespoke learning management system, onSJK.
The school plans to provide an uninterrupted, curriculum-based education for their students while the school is closed. From Monday to Friday, teachers will prepare and deliver instruction including related assignments that can be accessed via the onSJK system. Teachers will use a range of texts, recorded videos, and other tools to demonstrate new concepts and skills to their students. Underpinning it all will be a focus on student wellbeing and social connection—a vital approach in this time of physical distancing and isolation.
The school uses the term ”remote learning” rather than “online learning” as this reflects SJK’s conviction that quality learning can occur at a distance, without solely relying on technology. SJK expects this will be an opportunity for students to continue to learn in authentic, engaging and meaningful ways.
SJK is aiming to strike a balance between providing continuity of learning for their students but not overwhelming their families in what is already a stressful circumstance. To ensure the school supports its families, a variety of feedback tools, such as a weekly parent survey and a parent advisory group, is planned. As Head of School, Cheryl Boughton explains, “We know this is new for everyone. We want to give parents an opportunity to provide value-added feedback so they can contribute to a learn and adjust approach. So many businesses around us are taking the same iterative approach to this situation. We are confident that our parents will help us get this right for their children.”
SJK hopes that by providing a rich array of learning opportunities, they can support their students and their families in what is a very challenging time for us all.
About St. John’s-Kilmarnock School
St. John’s-Kilmarnock School is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 IB World School located in the Waterloo Region. Since 1972, SJK has been committed to nurturing well-rounded, confident citizens in a safe and enriching setting that supports students in their pursuit of academic success, personal growth, and social responsibility.
