The Greater Victoria School District has loaned out 1,050 iPads and Chromebooks to help students stay on top of their education while distance learning is required during this pandemic.
Students who don’t have access to computers, laptops, or tablets at home are being lent these iPads and Chromebooks.
See also: B.C. teachers will have access to Zoom videoconferencing app for online classes
“We must ensure public education remains accessible and that every student can be successful,” said Board Chair Jordan Watters in a statement.
“By providing digital devices for our students who need them, we are removing a key barrier to participating in their virtual classroom and connecting with their teachers and classmates.”
This initiative was rolled out after the district identified families who required access to this technology ever since in-class instruction was suspended on March 17th and classes were moved online after Spring break.
Any student in the district who requires a device is asked to contact their school Principal.
During her most recent briefings on the COVID-19 pandemic in B.C., provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has advised that students may be able to return to classrooms before this school year ends, in a modified format.
To limit the number of students present in classrooms in an effort to help maintain physical distances, students may be able to return to school on alternating days, or with some children attending during the morning and some later in the afternoon.
Virtual learning, at least in some capacity, is expected to remain a part of the new normal in B.C. for the foreseeable future.
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 2,820,935.
Over 196,700 people have died from the illness and 779,774 have made a full recovery.
