As stringent measures are maintained to combat COVID-19, teachers in the Seine River School Division are embracing a variety of ways to offer their services.

“It’s been very hectic,” admits Superintendent Mike Borgfjord, “but we’ve got a great staff.”

The Superintendent says staff has sent out physical work packages, made video lessons available online, and placed assignments into Office 365 for students.

“We’re seeing lots of people collaborate and are willing to do anything necessary to make things more accessible and easier for students and teachers.”

Borgfjord also admits his preference for face to face engagements, however, he has found that meetings have remained productive and staff is adapting at schools across the division.

“Every staff member had to participate in at least two ‘Teams’ meetings,” says Borgfjord in regard to the Microsoft program they’ve adopted, “so there was a quick uptake of people getting used to using it and it’s not a hard program to use.”

Among the concerns that the Superintendent stressed was ensuring families were not overburdened. “We were thinking about how do we simplify it for parents and families so that we’re not overwhelming them.”

Borgfjord says a survey of a thousand or so parents proved a 95% approval in regard to communication from teachers to families, but believes there is more to do.

“There’s a long road ahead, the next few months, and we’re going to have to continue to adapt and be flexible,” warns the Superintendent.

“I think everybody understands that everyone has new challenges and stresses and we have to be flexible.”