Hamilton school boards to ditch quadmester model in second semester
Hamilton school boards say secondary students will return to a regular timetable in February.
Both public and Catholic boards adopted the ministry-directed quadmester system, which divides the school year into quarters, each with two classes, for the first half of the school year.
The quadmester model, intended to minimize the number of contacts students have in a day, has been criticized by many students, parents and education experts who say compressed courses impede learning.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced last month Ontario high schools could return to regular semesters no later than February.
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board say public health supports a switch for the winter semester.
The shift from the quadmester model is due in part to the high rates of vaccinations amongst youth, and to support more normal school activities," said HWDSB education director Manny Figueiredo in a Dec. 6 letter to families.
In an email to The Spectator, chair Pat Daly said Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board secondary students will return to a normal" model in February unless otherwise directed" by public health.
I have only heard positive comments with regard to the planned return," he said.
Hamilton public health is supportive of this approach," spokesperson James Berry said in an email.
He said public health will continue to work collaboratively with its school board partners should we need to change course in the new year based on local COVID-19 trends."
The change will affect approximately 25,000 high school students across the city.
Students at Halton's public board, which had been following a modified" semester model with alternating weeks, returned to the regular model on Nov. 29.
We are hearing that both students and staff have settled back into the routine of four courses daily with enthusiasm," said spokesperson Marnie Denton in an email to The Spectator.
Grand Erie District School Board, which encompasses Brantford, as well as Brant, Norfolk and Haldimand counties, has not yet announced a decision.
Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com