YRDSB’s Learning and Caring plan also “maps out a phased approach.”

“So it really supports teachers and being able to support learning from kindergarten to grade 12. And right now, we're just at the end of week two,” he said on April 17. “So we know when we look forward to the end of May into June, things will look very, very differently than they do right now.”

However, he emphasized, “We want to make sure that we're moving forward and in a phased approach, to be able to support all of our students in a very, very safe way.”

YRDSB still taking advantage of technology

So far, YRDSB has provided tech platforms that it finds secure.

When asked about these platforms, Reid said, “For example there is Google classroom, D2L, which is Desire to Learn, and Moodle.”

“Those are the key platforms that we have many resources for, so teachers are able to interact with students in what we feel is a very safe manner.”

Using these platforms, YRDSB has identified two-way audio as well as face-to-face video exchanges for some but not all of its students especially those with “very specialized needs.”

“(For) students who are deaf and hard of hearing, we've allowed the two-way video, because there needs to be teachers and students being able to see facial expressions and be able to perhaps see signs and whatnot.”

Equity is key for YRDSB

Reid also explains that YRDSB needs to deal with equity first and foremost hence it’s “phase approach” on how it’s rolling out its online education.

“We have pockets within the Board where the internet isn't as strong or people may not have internet bandwidth.”

After YRDSB handed out more than 18,000 Chromebooks to families in York Region, Reid explains how “the equity piece is so important to us.”

In addition, YRDSB has “identified” the “guiding principles to be successful in online learning,” is that “really the learning environment has to be inclusive, it has to be safe, and it has to be supportive.”

“And so part of being inclusive has to be that we have to get the technology out to all students. Part of being inclusive is providing opportunities where students can engage,” he said.

“So we have secondary students, for example, that I know are at home that may be taking care of their siblings and have a hard time making it to a class, where the class was between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., because they're taking care of their siblings, because their parent is a first responder and is out working.”

In a nutshell, YRDSB is “building” this “inclusivity from the ground up.”

He added, “I’ve never been more proud of our teams of staff and educators working together to make learning at home come to life.”