May 19 2020

COVID-19 Update for Parents & Guardians

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

We hope that you are well.

On May 6, the Minister of Education Jean-François Roberge, informed the education community of his proposal for continued teaching and learning, evaluation and end of year reporting. The Western Quebec School Board has developed orientations that we feel meet the requirements of both the minister’s directive as well as the values inherent to the MEES Policy on Evaluation. These values: justice, equality and equity are an essential foundation of quality evaluation.

The minister’s directive requires that teaching and learning continue for secondary students and those elementary students who remain at home, through distance delivery on a variety of platforms and in diverse ways to meet the specific situations of students. The orientations for this include:

  • Maintaining previously acquired learning while promoting the ongoing learning of essential knowledge
  • Teachers providing weekly plans allowing students to create a schedule and work plan
  • Regular contact between teachers and students

The Minister’s proposal, which requires an amendment to the Basic School Regulations, includes significant changes with regard to final marks for the 2019-2020 school year.

For all levels the evaluation will be based on the teacher’s professional judgement framed by the following:

Elementary & Secondary I-III

  • The final judgement for the year will be a PASS or FAIL.
  • The PASS/FAIL judgement will be based primarily on the marks assigned in terms 1 and 2. In addition, work completed and evaluated up until March 13 can also be taken into account as well as any work that reviews and consolidates the learning from Terms 1 & 2.
  • Any new concept taught after March 13 is enrichment and is not to be used for evaluation of the final mark.

Secondary IV & V

  • The final judgement for the year will be a percentage.
  • The final percentage will be based primarily on the marks assigned in terms 1 and 2. In addition, work completed and evaluated up until March 13 can also be taken into account as well as any work that reviews and consolidates the learning from Terms 1 & 2.
  • Any new concept taught after March 13 is enrichment and is not to be used for evaluation of the final mark.
  • Based on the fact that all June exams have been cancelled, and that Public Health guidelines have stipulated that secondary students are not to be in our buildings, the Western Quebec School Board will not hold summer school this year. Students who wish to pursue academic studies during the summer may register with LEARN Quebec. For more information on this virtual learning platform, please visit learnquebec.ca/home.

Wishing all of you a safe and healthy week,

Sincerely,

George Singfield, Secretary General and Director of Corporate Services, Western Québec School Board

Anyone requiring information regarding their own health are asked to call 1-877- 644-4545 or visit québec.ca/coronavirus.

Earlier Announcements

  • Optional Return to School for Elementary Students: We have prepared an extensive package with information to parents regarding safety measures, protocols, and more. 
  • Learning Resources for Students and Parents: Western Québec School Board launched a website, named Backpack: Learning From Home, specifically geared to providing learning resources and activities for students and parents alike. The Ministry of Education has launched another website, named Open School, with many more.
  • K-4 Registration: Information regarding the K4 registration process for Eardley Elementary, Lord Aylmer Elementary, and Wakefield Elementary Schools has been published on our website.

All COVID-19 Memoranda

From latest to earliest:

All questions should be addressed to WQquestions@wqsb.qc.ca

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