School District 27 is looking for 25 kindergarten to Grade 7 students and their families who might be interested in trying a new style of home schooling/distance education program.
The additional new program would provide similar supports as the existing distance and home schooling programs but expand the program to include two days a week of in-class study.
“The new “part-time schooling” option is being considered for home schoolers who enjoy the freedom of home schooling but also see value in their children experiencing a more traditional classroom approach,” says principal Mike Franklin. “We need to confirm roughly 25 students in order for this program to go ahead.”
Two open houses will be held at GROW on the Marie Sharpe Elementary School campus to introduce parents and students to the new program. The open houses will be held at GROW on Friday, May 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
If enough students are enrolled, the additional new home/distance education program would provide open school classrooms in the upstairs of Marie Sharpe Elementary on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
There would be two classrooms, one for kindergarten to Grade 3 students and the other for grades 4 to 7 students. Other supports include:
• Project based curriculum in four to six week blocks
• Consultation with a professional teacher to plan, implement and assess an educational program.
• To choose from a variety of educational resources and philosophies.
• Access to additional activities and resources and opportunities available to SD 27 students (special ed, testing and support, artists in schools, sports teams, etc.)
The district’s current distributed learning program will still be available and offers the following supports to home schoolers/distance education students:
• Consultation with a professional teacher to plan, implement and assess an educational program.
• To choose from a variety of educational resources and philosophies.
• Biweekly visits/meetings with a teacher.
• Access to additional activities and resources and opportunities available to SD 27 students (special education, testing and support, artists in schools, sports teams, etc.)
• Biweekly or weekly group activities – community and classroom based with the part-time schooling classes
• Some financial support for approved activities/resources for families in remote locations.
Parents interested in the new program or the existing program can contact Mike Franklin at 250-398-5800 or by email at mikefranklin@sd27.bc.ca