Summer learning programs offered to students by TLDSB to fill in learning gaps

On the heels of a second straight school year disrupted by COVID-19, the Trillium Lakelands District School Board will be offering many summer learning opportunities to assist students who may have fallen behind during the pandemic.

Superintendent of learning Jay MacJanet shared with the board the multiple learning opportunities available, and where the funding is coming from to support some of these unique course offerings.

“We are committed to bridging learning gaps,” MacJanet said, “and we want to provide as many learning recovery opportunities as we can. We want to focus on the success of the whole child.”

Programming available for this summer includes:

• Literacy and numeracy remediation for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3
• Math remediation for students in Grades 7 and 8
• Remediation of spoken French for those enrolled in French immersion anywhere in the board
• A Grade 3 through Grade 11 robotics coding camp
• Grades 9 to 12 high school credits where demand creates a need

“There will be a combination of face to face and virtual interaction,” MacJanet said. “Student learning will be at the centre of all programs offered. All of these opportunities will be free and will be advertised throughout the board.”

MacJanet told trustees that funding for these opportunities has become available through the Ministry of Education, the Council of Directors of Education and additional provincial money that has been made available to support programs focused on Indigenous students.

“Students invited to attend elementary summer programs will be selected by school principals through discussion with classroom teachers and families,” MacJanet said.

“Principals will be working with families to help those students who have learning gaps and could use additional support. In-school learning is planned for the summer learning programs but will pivot to virtual learning if required. Secondary summer school programs will be offered virtually, but options will include co-operative placement in-person where permitted.”