Upper Canada District School Board preparing for fall with three potential scenarios

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is preparing for the next academic school year with three potential scenarios, as the local COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

In the first scenario, schools will return to pre-pandemic operations, with the presence of some enhanced public health protocols.

Under this scenario, quadmesters for secondary students and cohorting for elementary students will not be required.

With the current scope of the pandemic and no known “finish line,” the #UCDSB is planning for the 2021-22 school year with 3 potential scenarios in mind. #UCDSBboardmeeting pic.twitter.com/EpuiYJgKqp

— ucdsb (@UCDSB) March 11, 2021

The second scenario is the most similar to the system currently in place. The school board says both in-person and remote learning would be offered. Schools would be open for in-person learning but cohorting and a quadmester would be in place among students. 

According to the board, students and families could choose to access some material online, in lieu of in-person attendance, in this second scenario. 

The third and final scenario is a combination of the first two. Cohorting and emergency remote learning options would be required from September to January — schools would then go back to pre-pandemic operations, with enhanced public health protocols between February and June.

The UCDSB says its scenarios were created due to current scope of the pandemic, with no definitive finish line in sight.

Director of Education Stephen Sliwa adds, it's important for students, families and staff to have the knowledge of what the board is committing to.

“By talking about all three models right now, hopefully what we do is help to manage expectations.”