The Yk 1 Education District issued a letter to parents on Tuesday night stating that the board continues to work on solving three main issues during the coronavirus pandemic that include rolling out lesson plans for students out of school, helping access items in the board's buildings and providing needed counselling and food services.
Tina Drew, chair of the board stated in the letter that the board is ensuring that school staff are following the health and safety directives - including physical distancing - from the GNWT Chief Public Health Officer. In this context, the education district is aiming to respond to some of the most pressing needs for students and parents as schools are closed.
"These are uncertain times, and together we have to make health and safety our collective priority," she wrote.
"This means we'll have to get creative in terms of how we deliver education over the next couple of months."
Lesson plans
Drew stated that public board teachers are presently working on lesson plans and how to deliver them. She said while there will be "hiccups" in how these learning resources are delivered to students, she is asking for any feedback as well as patience from parents.
"The circumstances that have been placed on us due to COVID-19 are forcing us to be flexible, but I have the utmost confidence in our teachers and students and know we will succeed together," she wrote.
Accessing buildings
Drew also stated that there are issues of students needing to access school buildings and property to retrieve belongings and learning resources and the board is working on the issue in as safe manner.
"In the coming days, Yk1 will be also be sharing more information about school access," she wrote.
Counselling and food services
Drew also stated that the school board does provide much needed counselling and food programming and as "a priority" the board is working to help those in need who may be missing those services.
"This is a time of great uncertainty for students and their families so we want to ensure these supports are in place," she wrote.
The full letter can be seen below:
