Dear Grade 12 students and Parent/Guardians,
When we began the 2019/2020 school year, we could not have imagined your graduating year to be this challenging. On behalf of everyone at the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, we thank you for your dedication to your schoolwork and to achieving so much as you look to your future goals.
ALCDSB recognizes the unique position our Grade 12 students are in due to the challenges that have occurred in education in the past weeks.
I am writing to you today because the Ministry of Education has provided more information that may help with the many questions that you may have.
Here is some information that may be helpful to you:
- Two graduation requirements have been waived by the Ministry of Education:
- A passing grade on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
- The completion of 40 hours of Community Service work. Each student will have a record made of the community service hours they have completed by the end of the semester.
- Grade 12 students will receive a mid-term mark,which we will send to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre and the Ontario College Application Service. The Ministry has mandated that the mid-term mark be determined based on evaluations conducted up to March 13, the day prior to the start of the March Break. Please consult with your school guidance counsellor should you have individual questions.
- Grade 12 students will continue to be evaluated this semester in a manner that is reasonable, given the current distance education environment in which they are learning. We encourage our students to visit their virtual classrooms daily and strive to complete the work requested by their teachers. We recognize that there will be some limitations to the scope of learning in this environment.
- On April 26,the Minister of Education announced that all remaining professional activity days and examination days will be used for the instructional program. On these previously scheduled days, students can expect to continue their learning program and the use of culminating assignments will replace the exam components.
- For students who are in Co-op, OYAP or SHSM programs consultation with your guidance counsellors at your individual schools is key. As face-to-face opportunities are not currently available, options such as online experiences are being explored for each area.
- Graduation ceremonies are still under consideration and further information will be provided later in May.
Catholic schools are places where students find solid and enduring values to give hope, meaning and purpose to life.Your experience and understanding of God’s unwavering love has nurtured your resilience to stand firm in shifting times. I recognize this is not how you envisioned your final year. However, I am confident that the competencies and skills that you have acquired in our Catholic education system have prepared you well to succeed in your future plans.
Sincerely,
David DeSantis
Director of Education
