TVDSB Working Hard to Make Sure All Students Can Access Online Learning

Tuesday, 21 April 2020 14:11

The TVDSB has issued over 10,000 Chromebooks and iPads to students without home computers and are working to distribute 600 wireless computers to students without internet access.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Thames Valley District School Board is working hard to make sure students are not left behind during the pandemic.

Over the past two weeks, the school board has issued over 10,000 school Chromebooks and iPads have been cleaned, packaged and supplied to families who do not have a home computer. Another 2,000 devices have been distributed to families of students with special needs.

Thames Valley has also ordered over 600 wireless computer devices to meet the needs of families without internet access, in both urban and rural areas of the school district. Education Director Mark Fisher says they are doing everything they can to make sure students can access the online learning.

“The shutdown of schools by the coronavirus pandemic has made us redefine the way teaching and learning is delivered, and we have to do everything we can to make sure every student has the opportunity to continue learning."

Until wireless devices are configured and distributed, Thames Valley will provide printed learning resources to those families by courier beginning next week, followed by additional materials customized for individual students delivered by Canada Post.

Director Fisher assured students and their families that Thames Valley believes no student should be disadvantaged academically by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We don't want any student to be negatively impacted due to the pandemic. Our educators will be focused on learning versus evaluation, and no student grade will go down as a result of the pandemic. If students make an effort, grades can only go up.”

As Thames Valley teachers find innovative ways to engage their students, they are also mindful that some students may have difficulty participating in online learning. Teachers are reaching out to every single student across Thames Valley.

School board social workers, attendance counsellors and psychologists will be contacting students struggling with anxiety and stress, and facing difficult circumstances for various reasons, including parents or guardians and students themselves who may be employed in essential services. Director Fisher says they are trying to make sure kids are continuing to learn during the pandemic.

“We know that young people want to learn; they have a thirst for learning. It’s our responsibility to find out why students aren't participating and try to help to them succeed and progress in their learning.”