Community Developing at St. Isidore Virtual School
St. Isidore Virtual School has come a long way since the start of the school year. They have adopted a name, a logo, and are creating a community.
Principal Jamey Robertson said naming Kenora Catholic’s virtual school helped spark that sense of community.
“Naming the school was a big step in developing our community. Many of our community members, parents, students, staff identify the school by its name. They have a sense of what they can expect from the school in terms of a virtual learning experience, and it’s different then what they may have experienced in the spring. It’s a different form of learning, with different standards and expectations, and everyone takes it quite seriously. I think it will help create a long-term culture.” He said.
Secondary Vice-Principal Mark Richards agreed with the sentiment.
“When we first started in September I think many families associated the idea of virtual school with what they experienced during the emergency closure. They connected it to the feelings of unease or worry they may have felt during that time and didn’t really know that to expect. So when they were enrolling their children in virtual school September I think some of those feelings carried over, and once we addressed it and the students and families knew we had a name – St. Isidore Virtual School – and started thinking of it as its own school it eased some of the worries of our families. It had a big part in developing our school identity as well as helping to create an understanding of how these kids and families were a part of our system,” he said.
Robertson said a big indicator that the St. Isidore School community is developing was the request for spirit gear.
“That initiated from staff. It bubbled up at the PD Day, and we were intrigued that there would be that kind of request. We thought ok that must mean there is an identity that must go along with the school, and there is a culture that’s forming, and it’s something that people are proud to be a part of.” He said.
The idea for spirit gear was also a hit with families.
“We went to our first parent council meeting, and we mentioned some of the things that were happening to shape an identity for the school such as the spirit gear and parents said they wanted school merchandise and apparel as well. So it’s nice to hear that we do have that broader community that is proud of their school and wants to show that they’re associated with us,” Robertson explained.
Moving forward the school will continue to develop the key foundational elements to help their community continue to define itself.