@sd61schools Special Board Meeting live-streaming now at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRtyy8Uak0lVS-wxlwPeuXw/featured

The audio is BAD. Everyone sounds underwater. It will be hard to understand what's discussed.

First speaker @_valeriei, from what I can hear anyway, spoke very well and made a good point about how protecting students' mental health involves protecting the safety of their parents/teachers as well. #promoteremote

Second speaker, a pediatrician, makes a great point about how children struggle to appropriately distance. "Children will be vectors" - YES. Promotes part-time in-person school to reduce class sizes and allow for physical distancing.

Hard to hear third speaker. Lots of common sense suggestions like masks, smaller class sizes. That's about all I caught. This audio is so bad.

Fourth speaker: pointing out families forced to withdraw from school community to access distributed learning or homeschool. Asking for online learning hub without having to lose spot in school. Kids need to stay connected to their schools. Other provinces are doing this.

Fifth speaker: current plan fails to protect our students and families. Pointing out other countries with full return to school and subsequent outbreaks. Says schools can't control head lice, how can they control this virus.

"it's not if, it's WHEN" re: students getting this virus. Points out distributed learning full. Not a real choice. Unfair we are being asked to choose between safety of our children and their education.

(sidenote: I am really impressed with these parent advocates so far. Everyone making great points.)

Sixth speaker: thanks Board for their hard work given these challenging guidelines. Speaking re: students with disabilities and complex kids, citing @inclusionbc (or was it @BCEdAccess?) survey showing kids have been excluded/driven out of schools during pandemic.

7th speaker (JENN! I LOVE YOU! ) asking for flexibility for families. Kids with severe viral-induced asthma don't meet criteria as immune compromised but hugely at risk; ER trips every cold&flu season. So, being pushed out of school based on disability.

8th speaker: really having trouble hearing her. Daughter is in french immersion. Wants full time in class FI -- parents don't speak french and can't teach this at home. I really couldn't hear rest.

Final speaker (hi Shelby!) has a family with 3 kids with 5 parents in different households. Advocates for same rules for physical distancing at businesses and schools. Doesn't think you should need a Dr's note to access remote learning; should be able to choose it.

There were 57 written submissions (the agenda totaled ~90 pages), in addition to the speakers who showed up in person at the Board Office tonight. (One was me!) #sd61earn #bced

Rep from @gvta speaking now about teachers needing to go on medical leaves, retiring early -- teacher shortage on horizon. Noting teachers cannot teach both online and in person at same time. Not as simple as turning on a camera.

Saying we need an online option for people who cannot attend in person school. Sees importance of pairing up students and teachers needing medical accommodation together. Supports motion in front of the Board.

Taking a phone call comment now. A phone call audio + Zoom meeting audio that was already bad... I'm not gonna do her comments justice. Sorry caller! Stressing importance of flexibility I think? Mentioning stress and fear around school return.

CUPE rep speaking now; worried about union members. Some older. Afraid for them and their health, as they work so closely with students (can be hand-over-hand). Advocating for safe return to work so they can return to their families safely. #sd61learn #bced

@shelleygreen61: grateful for feedback. Anxiety is from all over BC. Lots of communication with province. Have been discussing with Dep Minister of @bcedplan what happens if there's a huge % of families who aren't comfortable?

Have heard feedback that people want online options, want physical distancing. Talking about creating a survey for families re: part-time schooling option. Some in class and some at home learning (DL-like).

Goal: get approval for existing plan, put out survey, then with results, if large % in favour ("high uptake") then they can implement this alternative in certain buildings that want it. Wouldn't require extra govt funding.

Not necessarily easy (big staffing shift req'd), not necessarily available for all, but is possible.

Example: classroom of 22 grade 2s. 11 kids in person 2 days/week (Mon/Wed), other half at home, then swap the other 2 days (Tues/Thurs). Remote learning Friday. Includes staggered drop off/pick up times too. @shelleygreen61 refers to this being in an email. (Not one I've seen!)

That was in response to @RobPaynterSD61's clarification question. @McNallySD61BC now asking about special precautions for EAs.

Trustee Duncan asking about a hybrid option. @shelleygreen61 says she floated the idea with the Ministry @bcedplan about this and first steps are that survey. Trustee Duncan asking about what if it's not accepted by Ministry?

Green: refers to conversation on Friday that said "if you are hearing there's a large sector of your community"... missed the rest. My impression is that Ministry would listen up if we had enough demand... I think.

This hypothetical plan would be a version of DL within the district.

Trustee Leonard notes many families haven't made up their minds yet about what they're doing, so haven't yet registered for DL.

Families are hoping District comes up with something for them (YES WE ARE)

Also mid-thread shoutout to @RobPaynterSD61 for wearing a mask.

Green says they are trying to make things fit within their existing funding.

Trustee Leonard: students concerned about losing their places in their schools/programs of choice due to having to withdraw to enroll in DL

Kindergarten: are options to send them or pull them and hold them back for one more year? Green: Yes, kindergarten optional so families can do this.

Trustee Duncan: we are at risk for not being able to accommodate our distance learners. What are options at high school level for immune compromised/vulnerable students?

Green: students who are immune compromised will be case by case ("singular plans"). At high school level, students can cross-enroll between their school and some DL/homeschool courses. So more fluidity and options for high school.

Big caveat at this point: I can't hear well so these are my best guesses at what was said. I may have gotten wording/message wrong. I'm trying my best!

@RobPaynterSD61 seeking clarity about high school course enrollment when mixed with DL. I'm not entirely following this exchange with Colin (district staff who's answering this Q). Really hard to hear.

Trustee @whiteaker_ann: thanking district staff for their hard work on restructuring everything. Grateful for parents' input; depth of love for their children is clear. Health and safety is paramount.

Whiteaker: We have heard from many parents that they are feeling unsafe sending their kids. Students expressing concern that school staff can't keep them safe or contain cross-cohort dating/socialization. (I'm summarizing)

Whiteaker: important point that remote learning worked REALLY WELL for some learners in spring. YES!

Whiteaker: hopes everyone slows down, reflects, and tries new ideas. Wants a more flexible and funded model to ensure we move safely through #COVID19, promoting important tech.