Edcentre Online School is part of the Northern Lights School Division. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW staff)

By Derek Cornet

remote learning

Edcentre Online School enrolls nearly 200 new students

Sep 18, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The Edcentre Online School in La Ronge has received an influx of approximately 200 students as parents remain concerned about the coronavirus.

That’s according to Principal Dean Squires who said about 190 students are enrolled between Kindergarten and Grade 9, which was made possible through a partnership with Northern Lights School Division and Sun West School Division. He noted the number of those taking Grade 10 to 12 classes remain largely the same as previous years, but there has also been a small increase.

“We’re really grateful for students to be able to have this option if they weren’t comfortable going back face-to-face in the classroom,” Squires said. “It’s been busy for sure. We have three teachers who are dedicated to the K to 9 program and, myself, who has been doing lots of the registration work.”

For those who decided to take online classes, Squires explained student must make a commitment to do so for at least 30 days before they decided to go back to in-school learning. For those who decide to join the Edcentre later, he noted teachers try to stay on the same topics at the same time they are taught in school, so its easier for students to adjust.

Only some of the curriculum is taught online as Squires said there is a lot of print material also involved. He explained classes are set up in such a way in which the content can be accessed at anytime of day and a single device can be used by multiple children in different grades.

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“It’s structured in a way where it’s meant to be asynchronously,” Squires said. “Students have their content online and they have their packages there. A parent guides them through the packages and there’s a lesson plan that goes with it. The online materials supplement and work together with that.”

If a child or parent needs more advice on a certain topic, Squires said teachers available to meet one-on-one to provide guidance. Teachers can be reached toll-free at 1-844-425-8946.

“There are certainly a lot of people who are putting their time and effort into this,” Squires said. “It’s very heartwarming and nice to see.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno