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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1313659
Students First In the face of uncertainty, BC schools prioritize student well-being and move forward in confidence with on-campus learning March 2020 was likely one of the most challenging times for schools throughout British Columbia. Facing closures and a sudden shift to online learning, leadership teams, teachers, and students had to exercise adaptability and resilience in the new way forward. Then, September brought back-to-school with a whole new twist. Now, three months into the school year, schools across the province are thriving, though not by accident. Hard work and commitment have been at the forefront of education delivery, and as British Columbia faces a second wave of COVID-19, independent schools are holding fast. "There is a commitment from the World Health Organization that schools stay open," says Mulgrave School's Head of School John Wray. "Obviously when schools have cases, we must rely on the cohort model, but this is a strong effort to contain exposures, and I think it is working and has proved very effective." In June, Mulgrave's eLearning experience was delivered in real time for grades five and up—students followed their schedules and joined the class using Google meetings. In the fall, most students returned to school, and the few who are required to stay home are fully supported with online teaching. As a stand-alone school, West Vancouver's Mulgrave was able to orchestrate the changes with agility and unincumbered by excessive bureaucracy. "We were able to rapidly consult I N D E P E N D E N T S C H O O L S PHOTO COURTESY JOHN PETTIT Students First March 2020 was likely one of the most challenging times for schools throughout British Columbia. Facing closures and a sudden shift to online learning, leadership teams, teachers, and students had to exercise adaptability and resilience in the new way forward. Then, September brought back-to-school with a whole new twist. Now, three months into the school year, schools across the province are thriving, though not by accident. Hard work and commitment have been at the forefront of education delivery, and as British Columbia faces a second wave of COVID-19, independent schools are holding fast. "There is a commitment from the World Health Organization that schools stay open," says Mulgrave School's Head of School John Wray. "Obviously when schools have cases, we must rely on the cohort model, but this is a strong effort to contain exposures, and I think it is working and has proved very effective." In June, Mulgrave's eLearning experience was delivered in real time for grades five and up—students followed their schedules and joined the class using Google meetings. In the fall, most students returned to school, and the few who are required to stay home are fully supported with online teaching. As a stand-alone school, West Vancouver's Mulgrave was able to orchestrate the changes with agility and unincumbered by excessive bureaucracy. "We were able to rapidly consult I N D E P E N D E N T S C H O O L S PHOTO COURTESY JOHN PETTIT