COVID-19 Response Engagement

Your voice is important in ensuring a safe, caring, and welcoming learning environment remains for students and staff.

Have questions regarding the Foothills School Division COVID-19 Response? Please share your wonders and concerns below. We will be responding to every question asked.

If you have medical questions about COVID-19, please visit www.alberta.ca/covid19 or call Health Link 811.

Your voice is important in ensuring a safe, caring, and welcoming learning environment remains for students and staff.

Have questions regarding the Foothills School Division COVID-19 Response? Please share your wonders and concerns below. We will be responding to every question asked.

If you have medical questions about COVID-19, please visit www.alberta.ca/covid19 or call Health Link 811.

Questions

Questions

Please add any questions you have regarding COVID-19 measures across Foothills School Division or in the 2020-21 FSD School Relaunch Handbook.

By including your email, you will be notified of a response once available. Alternatively, you're welcome to return to this site and browse the questions and answers.

Share What is your definition of inclement weather for when online learning may occur? How will student and staff well-being be considered during times of cold weather and elementary students cannot go outside for recess? Teachers won't get a mental break because they have been asked to not take breaks in staff room and stay in their own classrooms so students will be with them all day. How will student wellbeing be considered during this time of no outdoor recess and will be in the same room all day? Previous years there have been walking in the halls, running in the gym, intramurals, etc., but with cohorts and class bubbles, it becomes complex. on Facebook Share What is your definition of inclement weather for when online learning may occur? How will student and staff well-being be considered during times of cold weather and elementary students cannot go outside for recess? Teachers won't get a mental break because they have been asked to not take breaks in staff room and stay in their own classrooms so students will be with them all day. How will student wellbeing be considered during this time of no outdoor recess and will be in the same room all day? Previous years there have been walking in the halls, running in the gym, intramurals, etc., but with cohorts and class bubbles, it becomes complex. on Twitter Share What is your definition of inclement weather for when online learning may occur? How will student and staff well-being be considered during times of cold weather and elementary students cannot go outside for recess? Teachers won't get a mental break because they have been asked to not take breaks in staff room and stay in their own classrooms so students will be with them all day. How will student wellbeing be considered during this time of no outdoor recess and will be in the same room all day? Previous years there have been walking in the halls, running in the gym, intramurals, etc., but with cohorts and class bubbles, it becomes complex. on Linkedin Email What is your definition of inclement weather for when online learning may occur? How will student and staff well-being be considered during times of cold weather and elementary students cannot go outside for recess? Teachers won't get a mental break because they have been asked to not take breaks in staff room and stay in their own classrooms so students will be with them all day. How will student wellbeing be considered during this time of no outdoor recess and will be in the same room all day? Previous years there have been walking in the halls, running in the gym, intramurals, etc., but with cohorts and class bubbles, it becomes complex. link

What is your definition of inclement weather for when online learning may occur? How will student and staff well-being be considered during times of cold weather and elementary students cannot go outside for recess? Teachers won't get a mental break because they have been asked to not take breaks in staff room and stay in their own classrooms so students will be with them all day. How will student wellbeing be considered during this time of no outdoor recess and will be in the same room all day? Previous years there have been walking in the halls, running in the gym, intramurals, etc., but with cohorts and class bubbles, it becomes complex.

B asked almost 4 years ago

Student and staff safety remains a priority. In the past, when buses were cancelled, schools remained open to staff and students who could arrive safely. In these instances, classrooms would often be combined to ensure there was adequate adult supervision. This past practice does not align with the COVID-19 direction from Public Health and Alberta Education as it could lead to students and staff from different cohorts interacting with each other. Families who typically bring their child to school on such days should be aware that it may not be a possibility this winter and to prepare alternate arrangements in advance.
Student and staff well-being is also our priority. Until health orders are modified, we cannot allow some traditional activites to occur within our schools. We reassure you that our staff recognize that the social aspect is missed by all. Our teaching teams are finding creative and innovative ways to connect in absence of the in-person option being permitted at this time.

Please rest assured that our schools are seeking opportunities for students to spend time outdoors throughout the school day. When cold weather makes outdoor options impossible, students and classrooms can rotate through the gym and walk throughout the school in a scheduled fashion to ensure that cohorts remain in place.

weather
weather
Share As a family with 3 kids in Alberta’s K-12 school system, we think FSD is handling this situation incredibly well. We are so thankful to have had our kids supported by FSD’s outstanding educators during this pandemic. Thank you to FSD teachers, admin, and leadership teams!!! on Facebook Share As a family with 3 kids in Alberta’s K-12 school system, we think FSD is handling this situation incredibly well. We are so thankful to have had our kids supported by FSD’s outstanding educators during this pandemic. Thank you to FSD teachers, admin, and leadership teams!!! on Twitter Share As a family with 3 kids in Alberta’s K-12 school system, we think FSD is handling this situation incredibly well. We are so thankful to have had our kids supported by FSD’s outstanding educators during this pandemic. Thank you to FSD teachers, admin, and leadership teams!!! on Linkedin Email As a family with 3 kids in Alberta’s K-12 school system, we think FSD is handling this situation incredibly well. We are so thankful to have had our kids supported by FSD’s outstanding educators during this pandemic. Thank you to FSD teachers, admin, and leadership teams!!! link

As a family with 3 kids in Alberta’s K-12 school system, we think FSD is handling this situation incredibly well. We are so thankful to have had our kids supported by FSD’s outstanding educators during this pandemic. Thank you to FSD teachers, admin, and leadership teams!!!

SS asked almost 4 years ago

Good morning,
Thank you for your kind words and support. We are proud to serve our community and also appreciative of the partnership we share with our parents. Our work would not be possible without this partnership.
All the best and thank you once again.

other
other
Share We love you guys!! on Facebook Share We love you guys!! on Twitter Share We love you guys!! on Linkedin Email We love you guys!! link

We love you guys!!

FSD Rocks🤟 asked almost 4 years ago

Hello,
Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate your support and are proud to serve our FSD community.

other
other
Share Can I ask what’s going to be done at the high school level with the kids on lunch, especially now that there is no indoor or outdoor gathering allowed as per public health restrictions. on Facebook Share Can I ask what’s going to be done at the high school level with the kids on lunch, especially now that there is no indoor or outdoor gathering allowed as per public health restrictions. on Twitter Share Can I ask what’s going to be done at the high school level with the kids on lunch, especially now that there is no indoor or outdoor gathering allowed as per public health restrictions. on Linkedin Email Can I ask what’s going to be done at the high school level with the kids on lunch, especially now that there is no indoor or outdoor gathering allowed as per public health restrictions. link

Can I ask what’s going to be done at the high school level with the kids on lunch, especially now that there is no indoor or outdoor gathering allowed as per public health restrictions.

Brandi asked almost 4 years ago

Thank you for your question. For students who will remain on school property during lunch all current health guidelines and risk mitigation strategies outlined in our Handbook remain in place, the foremost of these is respecting cohorting within the school. For students leaving school property, we encourage families to have conversations with their children about maintaining health guidelines and recommendations for social interactions while off site.

lunch
lunch
Share Dear Superintendent, I understand that you may have probably heard that some of us students that attend Highwood Highschool have heard the policy introduced in many other Albertan schools. The policy allows students to “write to improve” on their final exams, so that the grades could not negatively impact us in these hard times. I am writing you to ask if you could consider putting this policy into place for our school/division as well, as we will be heading back to school within the next week. With the pandemic causing many students mental health issues to worsen, the thought of finals is causing even more stress and anxiety for us students. Online classes have also caused more stress, as learning has become much more difficult. With many of us having to work to help pay our parents bills, having something such as this impact our graduation, potential university applications, and overall futures is to much to handle during these times. Student have been trying hard in their classes at this time, but being forced to have something impact our grade this heavily causes many issues to be in place. As many other schools in the province are using finals as a write to improve policy, I feel as though it would be fair for us too as well. on Facebook Share Dear Superintendent, I understand that you may have probably heard that some of us students that attend Highwood Highschool have heard the policy introduced in many other Albertan schools. The policy allows students to “write to improve” on their final exams, so that the grades could not negatively impact us in these hard times. I am writing you to ask if you could consider putting this policy into place for our school/division as well, as we will be heading back to school within the next week. With the pandemic causing many students mental health issues to worsen, the thought of finals is causing even more stress and anxiety for us students. Online classes have also caused more stress, as learning has become much more difficult. With many of us having to work to help pay our parents bills, having something such as this impact our graduation, potential university applications, and overall futures is to much to handle during these times. Student have been trying hard in their classes at this time, but being forced to have something impact our grade this heavily causes many issues to be in place. As many other schools in the province are using finals as a write to improve policy, I feel as though it would be fair for us too as well. on Twitter Share Dear Superintendent, I understand that you may have probably heard that some of us students that attend Highwood Highschool have heard the policy introduced in many other Albertan schools. The policy allows students to “write to improve” on their final exams, so that the grades could not negatively impact us in these hard times. I am writing you to ask if you could consider putting this policy into place for our school/division as well, as we will be heading back to school within the next week. With the pandemic causing many students mental health issues to worsen, the thought of finals is causing even more stress and anxiety for us students. Online classes have also caused more stress, as learning has become much more difficult. With many of us having to work to help pay our parents bills, having something such as this impact our graduation, potential university applications, and overall futures is to much to handle during these times. Student have been trying hard in their classes at this time, but being forced to have something impact our grade this heavily causes many issues to be in place. As many other schools in the province are using finals as a write to improve policy, I feel as though it would be fair for us too as well. on Linkedin Email Dear Superintendent, I understand that you may have probably heard that some of us students that attend Highwood Highschool have heard the policy introduced in many other Albertan schools. The policy allows students to “write to improve” on their final exams, so that the grades could not negatively impact us in these hard times. I am writing you to ask if you could consider putting this policy into place for our school/division as well, as we will be heading back to school within the next week. With the pandemic causing many students mental health issues to worsen, the thought of finals is causing even more stress and anxiety for us students. Online classes have also caused more stress, as learning has become much more difficult. With many of us having to work to help pay our parents bills, having something such as this impact our graduation, potential university applications, and overall futures is to much to handle during these times. Student have been trying hard in their classes at this time, but being forced to have something impact our grade this heavily causes many issues to be in place. As many other schools in the province are using finals as a write to improve policy, I feel as though it would be fair for us too as well. link

Dear Superintendent, I understand that you may have probably heard that some of us students that attend Highwood Highschool have heard the policy introduced in many other Albertan schools. The policy allows students to “write to improve” on their final exams, so that the grades could not negatively impact us in these hard times. I am writing you to ask if you could consider putting this policy into place for our school/division as well, as we will be heading back to school within the next week. With the pandemic causing many students mental health issues to worsen, the thought of finals is causing even more stress and anxiety for us students. Online classes have also caused more stress, as learning has become much more difficult. With many of us having to work to help pay our parents bills, having something such as this impact our graduation, potential university applications, and overall futures is to much to handle during these times. Student have been trying hard in their classes at this time, but being forced to have something impact our grade this heavily causes many issues to be in place. As many other schools in the province are using finals as a write to improve policy, I feel as though it would be fair for us too as well.

Rachelle asked almost 4 years ago
Hello and thank you for your question.

Teachers will continue to provide final assessments for core courses at the end of each term to provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their learning. The structure of these final assessments is flexible and may take the form of a project, performance task or exam. We have provided this flexibility in assessing student learning to support student well-being and achievement, recognizing the disruptions in learning that have occurred due to COVID.

Teachers will design these final assessments, ensuring they are fair measurements of what was taught and considering the unique circumstances of this term. We want to ensure our students are successful and have the advantage in competing for scholarships and admission to programs at post-secondary institutions.
Assessments are appropriate and necessary components of understanding student achievement and identifying potential gaps in learning relative to curricular outcomes. It is essential that we maintain rigor in learning, student motivation, and engagement. We encourage students to actively prepare for these final assessments to deepen understanding of curriculum, be well prepared for next steps in learning, and positively impact grades and achievement.
- There will be a teacher designed final assessment in grade 10 to 12 courses
- Teachers have the flexibility to provide their professional judgement in determining a student’s final grade in a course as per FSD Administrative Procedure 360
- The teacher’s professional judgement will consider whether or not any individual assessment, including the final assessment, is consistent with student achievement demonstrated throughout the course
- The final grade will reflect the student’s overall achievement during the term
- The type of assessment is flexible (i.e. Exam, project, performance task, etc.)
- This assessment will be weighted at 30%
We recognize that circumstances of a pandemic are influencing students in different ways and trust that the flexibility in type of assessment and the role of professional judgement in assessing students will ensure your child receives assessment that is advantageous, fair, accurate, flexible and reflective of the student’s overall achievement during the term.
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exams