Enrolment
In September we were pleased to share a very positive update and overview of opening enrolment numbers.
Elementary
The September 14, 2021, Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 enrolment increased by 433 students from the projected numbers contained in the March 2021 Director’s Report. There was an increase of 208 students enrolled in JK and SK for this school year from the projected enrolment, and the Grades 1–8 enrolment also increased by 225 students from projected numbers in March 2021. To accommodate the increase in enrolment, Administration added classes across the Board.
Secondary
The September 21, 2021, Grades 9–12 enrolment in composite programs saw an increase of 282 students from the projected numbers in the March 2021 Director’s Report. There are 178 students currently enrolled in alternative secondary programs, such as the Algoma Education Connection (Prince Charles & Kina Awiiya) and the North Shore Adolescent Centre in Blind River and Elliot Lake, which is 34 students lower than the March 2021 projection. Given the alternative nature of these programs, re-engagement outreach is continuous and enrolment fluctuates.
Board Chair Jennifer Sarlo shared,
“This is exciting news for our schools and for our communities. We are pleased to have welcomed so many families who recently moved to our district as well as students who are selecting specific programs. These are significant numbers and, overall, one of the biggest increases we have seen in a number of years.”
ADSB WELCOMED 715 MORE STUDENTS THAN PROJECTED!
We were pleased to welcome back 98% of our students to in-person learning for the 2021/2022 school year.
In-Person and Virtual Learning Numbers
We were pleased to welcome back 98% of our students to in-person learning for the 2021/2022 school year while 2% of our students opted for virtual/remote learning. The elementary panel had 1.5% of students/families choosing virtual/remote learning, while in the secondary panel, 3% of students opted for virtual/remote learning. These numbers reflected a return of 11.8% of students to in-person learning from last September (2020), when 13.8% of JK–12 students were virtual/remote.
This summer we requested that parents indicate their intention to opt out of in-person learning and to advise the board by mid-August. They were asked to carefully consider a number of factors before making their decision, including thinking about the family’s ability to support supervision of online learners during the day. They were also asked to consider their child’s strengths as a learner and their ability to use technology independently for whole group and small group activities.
We provided guidance to parents/guardians about virtual/remote learning expectations to support student engagement and success this year; for example, ensuring students are visible via the camera supports full engagement as teachers can see and monitor students as they would in the physical classroom. Families were reminded about the importance of regular attendance and accessing the required materials in Edsby, ADSB’s learning management system. In addition, keys to success were provided in the areas of routines, resources and communication tips.
Families opting for virtual/remote learning were reminded that the next opportunity to request a change back to in-person is January 2022 (for JK–Grade 8) or February 2022 (for Grades 9–12).