School District 72 is working to rebuild its online learning program to give students more options to stay engaged, complete graduation requirements and balance their schedules.
The board of education said work on the district’s online learning program stopped in 2021, after the Ministry of Education and Child Care indicated online learning programs would be centralized across the province.
“The current program is a soft start, serving just under 60 students with two dedicated staff members embedded in local high schools,” the school district said in a release. “This model allows students to learn online while still having access to in-person support. Teachers can check in with students directly, offer drop-in help, and ensure no one is learning in isolation.”
The board said as the program continues to grow, the focus will remain on student well-being, choice and access.
Online learning principal Kai Taylor provided an update to the board at its meeting on Jan. 13, outlining a renewed focus on meeting students’ needs.
The district said online learning allows students to balance trades training, athletics, mental and physical health and other responsibilities.
“Every student’s reason is different,” Taylor said. “There is no single story. That flexibility is the strength of this model.”
The district said online learning is not intended to replace classroom instruction but offers an alternative for students whose needs differ from traditional in-class learning.
