Press release from the government of Québec:
As of May 11, preschools and elementary schools will be progressively reopened to students in all regions of Québec, with the exception of schools located in the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal metropolitan community). Those located in the Montréal metropolitan community will reopen on May 19, based on the schedule for the reopening of schools. Secondary schools will remain closed until September 2020. However, distance learning will continue to be offered with improved pedagogical support. All school personnel must return to a full-time work schedule starting May 4. School daycare services
Emergency daycare services, reserved for the children of workers in the health and social services sectors and in essential services, will remain open until May 8, inclusive (until May 15, inclusive, for the Montréal metropolitan community, if the health situation allows it). School personnel will have access to emergency daycare services. School daycare services will resume regular operations starting on May 11 in every school for students enrolled in that school. However, in the Montréal metropolitan community, school daycare services will be restricted to the children of workers in the health and social services sectors and in essential services until May 15, inclusive. Preschool and elementary school
A return to school is not compulsory. Parents who believe the best option is to have their children continue their learning from home will be provided with pedagogical support from a distance. The parents’ decision on whether or not to send their children to school must be communicated to the schools and cannot be changed for the remainder of the school year, barring exceptional circumstances that may arise before the end of June, in order to enable schools to organize pedagogical support and school transportation services. Students, teachers and school staff will be able to collect their personal effects and school materials starting April 27, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the public health authority. Educational resources
In addition to the pedagogical support offered by teachers to all their students, a variety of optional resources to help students learn, create and have fun will remain available to children and their parents on the Open School website, at ecoleouverte.ca. Students can choose their own path, based on their grade and skill level, with the help of a friend or family member, if necessary. New activities are added to this website regularly. Educational kits with suggested activities for each subject are also made available to students and parents. Health measures
Schools must implement the strict health measures issued by the Direction générale de la santé publique. In accordance with physical distancing rules, classrooms must be restricted to a maximum of 15 students, with a distance of 2 metres between students to be maintained. For health and safety reasons, it is recommended that students and staff members who are vulnerable in terms of heath (e.g. chronic disease, severe immunodeficiency, pregnancy or breastfeeding, aged 60 and older) not return to school. If necessary, teachers could resume their duties by means of telework. If a student or a staff member develops symptoms associated with COVID-19, the public health authority will issue specific recommendations for the region concerned, which must be strictly enforced. Secondary school, vocational training and adult general education
Secondary school students will continue distance learning activities and will be provided with schoolwork. Pedagogical support from their teacher will be available to them. Vocational training students and adult learners may also continue distance learning activities. Classrooms must not exceed a student capacity of 50%, and any practical training activities taking place must comply with physical distancing rules. Students, adult learners, teachers and school staff will be able to collect their personal effects and school materials starting April 27, in accordance with the regional guidelines issued by the public health authority. Pedagogical support
To ensure that the most vulnerable students continue their learning until the end of the school year, a large-scale operation will take place to supply technological tools to students who do not have access to them. A partnership with Telus and Apple will allow us to provide these students with tablets, which will automatically have access to the Internet. Resources such as the Open School website (ecoleouverte.ca) are also available to students, who will be able to access them on the provided tablets. Teacher training
Accelerated training will be offered by Université TÉLUQ to teachers who wish to improve their knowledge of technological tools. The first courses will be available starting May 4. Additional training will be made available to teachers on the Open School. platform to help them become comfortable with technological tools more quickly.