Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
On Tuesday November 24th, 2020, Premier Jason Kenney announced that all Grade 7-12 students would be transitioning to Scenario 3: At-Home Learning starting on Monday November 30th. It is important to note that this is not a transition to ‘remote emergency teaching’like in March to June 2020. Rather, Crescent Heights High School’s goal is to provide temporary access to instruction and instructional supports that students would have received through a face-to-face approach. On average, students will be asked to complete approximately six hours of work per 5-credit semestered course per week.
Please watch this video highlighting some of the key points, outlined in detail below: https://youtu.be/z-onNMIMtEA
Learning Expectations
Teachers will continue to be responsible for assessing the progress of students, which means that course marks may rise or decline based on students’ ability to demonstrate learning outcomes. Students will continue to be responsible for actively engaging in their learning, and diligently completing all learning tasks assigned by their teachers.
Kinetic or shop-based complementary courses, such as Metal Technology, Automotives, and Dance may be required to shift or modify their current activities to better support an online learning approach. CTS and Fine and Performing Arts teachers will communicate these changes to students in the coming days, however it is important to note that they will continue to be offered during their regularly scheduled times.
Attendance
Crescent Heights High School will continue to follow our normal attendance policy, with teachers taking attendance each period. Students will be asked to continue to follow their normal Monday-to-Friday timetable by accessing their classes through GoogleMeet or D2L virtual class links. Teachers may chunk learning time into smaller mini-lessons, small group teaching, and/or responding to individual questions.
If students are not able to attend a class due to illness or medical appointments, parent(s)/guardian(s) are asked to contact the schools attendance line at 403-276-5521 to report the absence, as per our normal process.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) will continue to receive calls from those classes that students miss, if you have any questions regarding absences please contact the school.
Weekly Timetable
As indicated, students will continue to follow their regular Monday-to-Friday alternating schedule which is:
Key Dates
Please note the following dates for your planning:
Monday November 30th: Online learning begins, students will be asked to follow their regular Monday-to-Friday Schedule.
Friday December 4th: Non-Instructional Day, no student classes scheduled
Friday December 18th: Last day of classes prior to the start of the Winter Break
Saturday December 19th – Sunday January 3rd: Winter Break, no classes will be scheduled
Monday January 4th: Classes resume online
Friday January 8th: Last day of online classes
Monday January 11th: Proposed return to face-to-face learning on campus
Technology Supports
Prior to the transition to online learning, Crescent Heights High School administration was able to provide 140 students with technology to support their learning. We would like to thank the Calgary Board of Education’s Technology Department for their swift support of these students and their learning.
We understand that some students may not be able to access technology during their scheduled courses (particularly if there are siblings who also need to access technology at the same time). If this is an issue, or if your child would be better suited to have paper copies of their courses, please contact the school main office to discuss these requirements, which we will look to support as best as possible on a case-by-case basis.
The Calgary Board of Education’s Technology team has also created a Parent Support Desk, which can be accessed at: https://cbe.ab.ca/support/Pages/help.aspx.
Additional Supports
In the coming days we will look to provide families with additional supports, including wellness strategies, online learning tips and tricks, as well as important changes to the Final Exam period (scheduled from January 18th until January 29th). Please continue to check your emails for these important updates.
Lastly, I would like to thank all of our students and families for their tremendous support and understanding during these challenges times. I know our collective goal is to decrease the spread of Covid-19, ultimately protecting our larger community. Please contact our friendly front office staff if you have any questions regarding this update. I look forward to staying connected, and look forward to the day when we can reconnect face-to-face.
Sincerely,
Mike Wilson
Principal – Crescent Heights High School
