Some wine lovers may be feeling the hit when School District 43 transitions to online learning for all its programs as COVID-19 upends society.
Thousands of students in kindergarten to Grade 12 will be making the switch to online learning starting March 30.
But even adults who are taking general interest courses, career upgrading courses, math or English through Coquitlam Continuing Education will be receiving online instruction, as well.
Beginning next week, the monumental task of switching from face-to-face to online instruction will take place and while most adult education programs, such as the Math 10, 11 and 12 — among the top enrolling courses — are expected make the switch relatively easily, some, such as How to Host a Wine Tasting, may take some special creativity.
Still, SD43 spokesperson Ken Hoff said the district is confident its instructors will be able to make the accommodation. At this point, no Coquitlam Continuing Education courses are being cancelled, Hoff told The Tri-City News in an email, saying: “We remain hopeful that a transition to online courses will allow students to continue their studies.”
Here’s how how many students are affected in the change as Education Minister Rob Fleming announced the suspension of in-person classes last week.
• 32,000 K to 12 students, along with their teachers and support workers;
• 400 students who are taking literacy foundations courses, such as info tech and science;
• 350 new immigrant students taking LINC language classes;
• and 2,000 students enrolled with Coquitlam Open Learning Courses.
As well, students in the business, careers and job skills courses, will be moving to online delivery and instructors are being provided training and support in the hopes that most students will be able to transition and continue their studies.
According to Hoff, some classes have already transitioned while other students are being contacted by instructors to begin the switch-over.
If the transition can’t be made, refunds will be offered and the amount will vary based on the course or program.
SD43 offers dozens of courses through Coquitlam Continuing Education, and while programs such as social media, business writing and Korean language can be done virtually — via video chat, among other ways — oenophiles who wanted to sign up for How To Host A Wine Tasting might be disappointed.
Tasting wine virtually just won’t have the same flavour.
