COVID-19 has forced stakeholders everywhere to re-examine all facets of education: from considering how students learn and how teachers teach, to re-imagining what a safe learning environment looks and operates like. We’re at a time where change has never been more necessary, and these changes have resulted in some pleasantly positive outcomes.
The DRCSS embraced the Blended Learning model in September 2020 to meet public health regulations. Blended Learning is a blend of learning in classrooms and independent work at home. Students attend their classes in person either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays and stay at home the opposite days to work independently on what was learned in class. The Blended Learning model has advantages for students, but likely the most significant advantage is Student Fridays. Student Fridays in the first semester have been very flexible where students have had the opportunity to come to school to meet with teachers by appointment. Students have been able to meet one on one with teachers to review course content, receive extra support on assignments, and complete or re-take assessments. Sometimes, students attend to access Wi-Fi and technology. Science teachers have held science labs and experiments that otherwise would be impossible during regularly scheduled classes. During Code Orange, classes such as Wilderness Skills were able to go on full day field trips to practice shelter building and fire making without impacting attendance in any other class. Small groups of students also had the opportunity to take part in Equine Learning over several Fridays in the fall.
Students in vocational classes also have had full days to increase practical hours for Level 1 Apprenticeship and to work on projects that reinforce skills. Last spring, the pandemic made it very difficult for students on track to earn their Level 1 Apprenticeship to gain enough practical hours of experience by graduation. Without these Fridays, it would be nearly impossible to schedule these “make up” hours during regular classes.
Not all students are working towards Level 1 Apprenticeship. Others have an interest in the area and are looking to develop their own skills in one or more trades. Carpentry students have spent Student Fridays building sheds and other structures, while Hairstyling students practice hair colouring and setting perms – all tasks that would take learners longer than a 70-minute class period. Culinary Arts students practice their skills by participating in a DRCSS Bistro where they prepare full restaurant-style meals.
During Code Orange, Student Fridays allowed the Senior Jazz Band to come together to play. The Blended Learning model didn’t allow these students to rehearse together during the week. The flexibility of Student Fridays created an opportunity for the band to come together and play while still following public safety protocols regarding distancing and gathering size.
Ultimately, Student Fridays allow for uninterrupted learning time – bells don’t restrict or control a student’s time spent on a project or put pressure to review a difficult concept within a class period. The flexibility to spend time, whether it’s a lot or a little, with specific teachers allows students to take responsibility for their learning and to get what they need to master curriculum.
Second semester will run from February to June and the DRCSS will continue to follow the Blended Learning model. Student Fridays will also continue during the second semester and students may continue to make appointments to meet with teachers or practice skills in any subject area. Additionally, in second semester, teachers will direct students to attend on Fridays should they fall behind in meeting curriculum. Families and students are encouraged to monitor progress on PowerSchool and maintain communication with teachers to find out if students must attend on Fridays.