Elementary students in public school have a week to decide whether they plan to learn remotely in September

Public board students must soon decide whether they plan to learn remotely in September.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board superintendent Bill Torrens told families at an information session Wednesday evening that the board plans to offer remote instruction in 2022-23 amid a continued uncertain public health situation."

The Ministry of Education announced Thursday all Ontario boards would continue to offer remote learning for another year.

Across the province, a small minority" - about 150,000 of two million students - are enrolled in remote learning programs, education minister Stephen Lecce said at a Feb. 17 news conference.

What I've heard from their parents and from some educators who are involved in virtual learning is that that is a strength for that small minority of children, so we're going to continue to offer it," he said.

Currently at the public board, there are about 2,000 elementary students - about six per cent of total enrolment - in 81 virtual homerooms. Students learn in an online classroom based out of a physical school, though not likely in their catchment area.

Fewer than 700 high school students - or five per cent - are enrolled in the board's secondary eLearning program.

Parents and caregivers of elementary students can request to switch online via the parent portal by calling their home school principal between Feb. 17 and 24. At the secondary level, students can choose to learn online by selecting only eLearning courses.

Board staff say they realize it's early to decide, given the start of the new school year is more than six months away, but planning must begin now.

Many people don't realize how early we plan our staffing for the upcoming year, and we are entering into that process, which is why we do need some initial parent input this early," said Simon Goodacre, system principal of learning services, who oversees the elementary remote learning program.

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board chair Pat Daly said in an email Thursday the board also plans to continue with remote learning for both elementary and secondary.

The form in which remote learning will be provided ... has not yet been determined," he said.

Daly said the board strongly" encourages in-person learning.

At the Catholic board, about 530 elementary students - about three per cent - and 640 secondary students - about six per cent - are currently learning remotely.

Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com