Regina Catholic Schools moving to online learning due to COVID-19 concerns

Catholic Schools move to online learning WATCH: Regina Catholic Schools are temporarily moving to online learning due to COVID-19 concerns. Cally Stephanow reports.

REGINA — Students in Regina Catholic School Division (RCSD) schools will begin learning remotely starting on Monday, Dec. 14.

The division’s Board of Trustees voted to temporarily transition to level four, moving students in pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 to online learning, RCSD announced on its website.

"We're navigating this completely new situation which has been a perpetual challenge since this arrived and reached us here in Saskatchewan last March," Twylla West, a spokesperson for Regina Catholic Schools, said. "This decision was made with the well being of our students and staff."

The board said the decision was based on increased COVID-19 transmission rates in Regina, fear and anxiety about the virus, concerns about communication with families with direction to isolate, challenges to available substitute staff and to align with Public Health directives.

The Division said many staff members have had to self-isolate or have become sick, meaning Regina Catholic Schools has had to rely heavily on substitute teachers.

"We've been preparing for this," West said. "Teachers and support staff have worked with students on using the platforms that they will use for remote learning."

The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation is happy with the move, but said it does understand many parents will be in a tough spot for child care the week before and after the Christmas break.

"I think the week after Christmas allows students and staff to kind of self-monitor and know that if they're not feeling well, then they shouldn't return right away," President of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, Patrick Maze said. "They should stay in isolation and get tested to prevent spreads in the schools,"

Learning will remain online leading up to and following December break, continuing through Jan. 8.

“Students will be engaged from home during the typical school day for both weeks at Level Four. This is not the same as the Supplemental Learning we provided in the spring. This is mandatory curricular content delivered remotely to students,” the board said in a release.

“All students should do their best to attend school each day this week so they are prepared for remote learning next week.”

Regina Public Schools announced a similar move to online learning on Monday.

Students in specialized programs may remain at level two, which includes face-to-face learning with masks, or level three, a hybrid of face-to-face and remote learning. The board said school staff will work with families to determine attendance for those students.