We know you have lots of questions. We will do our best to answer the questions that have been asked recently:
| Questions | Answers |
| How will my learning continue while schools in Nova Scotia are closed? What will the learning look like? | Nova Scotia has created a Learning Continuity Plan to engage students during the school closures related to COVID-19. Within this plan, a priority is placed on assisting students who are scheduled to graduate this year to meet their minimum graduation requirements. Students who have internet access will engage in online learning with their subject teachers. Students who needed technology have been loaned technology from their school. If you do not have internet access at home, you should work with your teacher on feasible ways to share work. Students will engage in approximately 3 hours of work per course each week.
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| Who will communicate with me about continuing my learning and how will I know when it starts? | Teachers or school administrators will be in contact with students in all grades regarding the Learning Plan. All students will begin by April 8, 2020, but before that time you will be asked to review, practice and reflect on work that you were doing prior to March Break.
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| Will I need resources to continue my learning (e.g. textbooks)? | Learning opportunities and any resources required will be provided online. Textbooks are not required.
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| What if I am not in grade 12? Where can I find information? | We are planning for learning for students in all grades. For more information about learning at home, go to https://curriculum.novascotia.ca
Information about Nova Scotia’s Learning Continuity Plan is also available at https://www.ednet.ns.ca/learning_continuity
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| Will there be assessments and final exams for my courses? | Although there will be no final exams for courses, teachers will continue to assess student learning in a variety of ways. Assessments could include submissions through e-mail or GNSPES accounts, or through phone conversations. Teachers will determine appropriate strategies as they communicate with students. The Department is meeting regularly with Colleges and Universities. The decision to cancel exams will not negatively impact grade 12 students.
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| What about IB or DELF exams? | These exams have been cancelled.
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| Will I still graduate on time? | Students who are on track to graduate in June 2020 will graduate. Learning will continue so that teachers can provide June grades.
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| How will my credits to graduate be impacted? | For any courses that are started, schools will work with students to complete them to the best of their ability. A final percentage grade will be awarded for grade 12 students.
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| Will there still be a Graduation Ceremony and other year-end celebration events at my school? | It is still too early to know how long the current situation will last. Any plans for graduation and proms being considered will have to follow the direction from Dr. Strang, our Chief Medical Officer of Health at that time. Plans may be delayed until the next school year. Nothing will be cancelled at this time until more is known. At this time, school buildings are closed until at least May 1.
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| How will I access the supports that have helped me to be successful so far (e.g. School Counsellor, SchoolsPlus, teacher, administrator, support worker)? | Staff, including student support services, will continue to work to address students’ needs. Schools will provide contact information to students, but students can also reach out to their administration and/or teachers for more information and to request support.
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| Can I access eLearning if I am an International Student who is going home early? | Yes, International students who were registered at a Nova Scotia high school for semester two courses will remain eligible to engage in eLearning opportunities to complete their current courses like students within the province.
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| How will my teachers determine my final grade? Will it be Pass/Fail? | At this time, grade 12 students can expect to receive a final percentage grade in each course.
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| Will year-end scholarships and bursaries still be awarded from my school and if so, how will I get information about applying? | Yes, schools are still planning to award year-end scholarships and bursaries. Schools will communicate information to Grade 12 students and this may be done in a variety of ways (e.g. Google classroom, GNSPES emails, school website, etc.). Please direct specific questions to your school administration or school counsellor.
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| How will I receive support from my teacher when I need help in my course? | Teachers will be reaching out to students. Teachers are expected to set up a regular time during the day for office hours. Students can request additional support directly from teachers as required.
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| How will courses continue that mostly focus on hands-on learning experiences (e.g. Physical Education Leadership 12)? | Learning opportunities for specialized courses or programs that have barriers to distance learning will be supported as best as possible. Your teachers have access to an e-learning site that supports teaching and learning in new ways. This will look different, but students will continue to be provided with relevant learning opportunities to achieve the requirements of the course. |
| Am I still able to receive a credit for my Co-op? | Yes. Students who are enrolled in a Co-op course will have completed the in-school instruction and some may have even started at workplaces prior to March break. Students will not be going on placements at work sites while school buildings are closed. Teachers were able to gather evidence of learning and complete assessments prior to the students beginning their placements. To complete worksite placement requirements, students will be provided with alternative opportunities to continue to develop career readiness skills, investigate careers and postsecondary options, complete workplace certifications, and further develop their portfolio. Your Co-op teacher will assist you in meeting the requirements of this course.
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| How will I make up my apprenticeship hours? | Students who are registered in skilled trades courses that are taught by certified tradespeople will upon successful completion of their course(s) continue to receive recognition for apprenticeship hours. Like other experiential learning courses, teachers will provide students with new ways to learn about the subject area and to track their learning.
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| How will my Individualized Program Plan (IPP) outcomes for my graduation requirements be met? | Teachers will work collaboratively with other staff as required in order to support each student’s individual learning.
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| Will the Nova Scotia Virtual School courses I am enrolled in continue? | Nova Scotia Virtual School (NSVS) courses will continue and where needed, teachers will plan other learning opportunities for students who may have technology access issues.
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| How will I access transcripts required for post-secondary school? | Schools can access transcripts electronically, and they will communicate to students the contact person for transcript requests. Schools can send transcripts directly to students or the post-secondary institution as a PDF version. Students wanting the transcript sent directly to a post-secondary institution should include the e-mail address of the post-secondary institution in their e-mail request. Should a paper copy of an in-progress transcript be required students may make a request. Contact your school’s Principal or School Counsellor for further information.
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| Homework hub
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The Homework hub for students taking a math course offers free online resources and free live tutoring. This is accessible Sunday to Thursday evenings from your GNSPES account. Extended afternoon hours will be introduced later in April.
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| What if I need some support for how I am feeling about the current situation with COVID19? | There is lots of help available to you. Your teacher, school counsellor, administrator and others at the school are there for you. You can also get support through SchoolsPlus and other helpful Nova Scotia resources at the following link: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/mental-health/children-and-youth.asp Please also remember that physical activity is good for your mental health too. Stay active while you are at home!
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| Where can I get reliable information on COVID19? | For up-to-date public health information and advice that you can trust, visit the public health coronavirus website at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus |
| Who do I contact for more information? | Contact your teacher or principal. If they can’t answer your question, email the SSRCE’s Director of Programs & Students Services – jdewolfe@ssrce.ca |