Parents of children and teenagers in Surrey will have more options for at-home and in-class schooling this fall.
Last week, the Surrey School District shared its plans to safely return to in-class instruction. Following this, in a video message shared on Monday, Aug. 31, Surrey Superintendent Jordan Tinney introduced "Surrey Blended": Two transition programs for elementary and secondary students.
"This summer has been busy for our district as we create and strengthen the learning options we are able to offer our students during this pandemic," explains Dr. Jordan Tinney, Superintendent for the Surrey School District.
"Our senior leadership, and in particular principals and vice-principals, have been working hard to create plans for their schools that are safe, responsive to their staff and student needs, and consistent with the guidelines put forth by provincial health experts. This has not been an easy task, and we know that this pandemic is unpredictable, but the health and safety of our staff, students and parents is always our first priority."
Video Message - Introducing Surrey Blended. Two transition programs for elementary and secondary. Registration begins today on our website. https://t.co/XAPOsPMXhw Also more details about opening week. #sd36learn #surreybc @Surrey_Schools @CityofSurrey @whiterockcity
— Jordan Tinney (@jordantinney) August 31, 2020
In response to the pandemic and parent concerns expressed through its surveys, families in the Surrey School District can now register for the following options for September:
Elementary
- Full-time in-class instruction: This option has students safely returning to full-time in-class instruction with set cohorts/learning groups and physical distancing.
- Surrey Blended: Elementary Transition Program: This blended learning option is a combination of online and face-to-face learning through your local school, with a goal of gradually increasing face-to-face instruction. It is available to all K-7 students in the district.
Secondary
- Full-time in-class instruction: This option has students safely returning to full-time in-class instruction with set cohorts/learning groups and physical distancing. Students in Grades 8 and 9 will attend school full time while students in Grades 10-12 will participate in a blended model with both online and face-to-face learning.
- Surrey Blended: Secondary Transition Program: This learning option offers flexibility for families that are planning to not return to school in September. School staff will work with individual families on plans for transition which may include a delayed start or reduced attendance, with a gradual transition back to full-time in-class instruction School staff may also discuss options related to online learning through the district's online learning school, Surrey Academy of Innovative Learning (SAIL) or possibly their local school.
- Surrey Academy of Innovative Learning (SAIL): All secondary students (Grades 8-12) who wish to take online learning can register with the district's online school, the Surrey Academy of Innovative Learning (SAIL).
In a release, Surrey Schools says it anticipates the transition programs to be fully operational by Sept.21, with an orientation for registered families during the week of Sept. 14. As the province's largest school district, it welcomes over 45,000 students in 101 elementary schools and over 28,000 students in 20 secondary schools.
