Shift from Quadmesters to Modified Semesters

Posted On Monday January 24, 2022

Message to Secondary Families RE: Shift from Quadmesters to Modified Semesters 

January 24, 2022

Subject: Moving to a Secondary Modified Semester Schedule 

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

Earlier this school year, the Ministry of Education announced that secondary schools can move back to a semester schedule (with students taking up to 4 courses a day for half the school year) from the current quadmester schedule (with students taking up to 2 courses a day for a quarter of the school year). While we are not able to transition to a full semestered approach yet, all in-person secondary schools will be moving to a modified semester schedule at the start of the second half of the school year on February 3. This shift is in response to the current COVID-19 situation. We will continue to monitor where things stand with the intention for a return to a traditional semester model in the spring. 

What is a modified semester? 

In a modified semester, students will take four courses for the entire semester until the end of the school year. However, instead of taking four courses in one day, students would take two courses per day (COURSE 1 in the morning, COURSE 2 in the afternoon) for one week and then in the following week, would take the other two courses (COURSE 3 in the morning, COURSE 4 in the afternoon), with the schedule repeating. A sample schedule has been included for your reference. 

Why a modified semester approach?

We anticipate that the move back to a semestered schedule, even in a modified semester format, will have a positive impact on engagement for students. This also enables us to move to a full semestered schedule once the COVID-19 situation improves. Students will benefit from taking their courses over a full semester, which means greater opportunities to build relationships, collaborate with peers, understand the big concepts of the course, and provide them with their classroom teacher for all periods instead of utilizing an on-call teacher.

How long will we have a modified semester? 

Right now, we are planning for a 5-week interim schedule, from February 3 to March 4, 2022. It is our intention to transition to a traditional semester schedule with four courses per day. We continue to monitor pandemic trends and consult with the Durham Region Health Department on the best approach to take.

What will start and end times be? 

Bell times will remain the same for the 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. schedule as they are connected to student transportation.

Sample Schedule

You can also download a sample schedule at to view the next five weeks.

Assessment and Evaluation for Second Semester

As previously communicated, students will be evaluated solely on term work, not through final summatives and/or exams for the entire 2021-2022 school year to provide as much time as possible for in-class instruction.?Students will be given every opportunity to demonstrate their learning throughout the semester and improve upon their learning and demonstration of course expectations.

Health and Safety Measures

In consultation with the Durham Region Health Department, we will continue to ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place. Masking, hand washing and other hygiene measures, air quality strategies, and physical distancing where possible will continue to be implemented. We ask that students who are eligible to receive their first, second, or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine consider doing so. Appointments are available at durham.ca/covidvaccines

Schools will provide additional information to families regarding Semester 2 timetables within the coming days. We ask for your patience as your child’s school works through this process. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to respond to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of the team at the DDSB, our sincere thanks for all that you have done to support your child’s success.   

Sincerely, 

 

Norah Marsh

Director of Education

Durham District School Board