1 June 2020
COVID-19 ADVISORY 13 – DAS TO RESUME FACE TO FACE TEACHING IN STAGES
Dear DAS Parents,
You will have read the latest news that Singapore will enter Phase 2 from Friday 19 June.
We have since received updated Safe Management Measures from MOE and DAS will do everything we can to follow these measures to best ensure the safety of students and staff. (Safe Management Measures:Â www.moe.gov.sg/faqs-covid-19-infection)
So, what does this mean for your child attending classes at DAS from the start of DAS Term 3?
DAS will need time to ensure that the Safe Management Measures are met. For example, there is now a need to have a 30-minute gap between each physical class. This means that DAS will be reorganising all timetables and we will be contacting all 3,000 parents to discuss new class times. We appreciate this will not be straightforward as we will need groups of 3 to 4 parents to agree to a common time for the new physical class. We appreciate your understanding that it is best not to rush this reorganisation so that we do not create mistakes and confusion.
As such, we will adopt a phased approach to the return to physical classes:
- DAS International Specialist Tutoring, DAS Intensive Remediation Main Literacy Programme (MLP) and SES Preschool students will commence physical classes from Term 3, Week 1 (29 June).
- All other DAS English Language and Literacy (ELL) MLP and SES classes will continue with online learning while we reorganise classes in accordance to the Safe Management Measures. We will keep parents informed as to when these programmes will commence physical classes as soon as possible.
In the survey we conducted with DAS Parents in Term 2, 2020, we noted that of the 177 respondents, 105 parents would not mind continued online classes while 72 parents would prefer a return to physical classes in Term 3. We are glad that a good number of parents appreciate the learning that their children have received via online teaching and are comfortable with continuing with it. We request the understanding and patience of parents who would like to return to physical classes and DAS will strive to make this happen as soon as we can while meeting the requirements of the Safe Management Measures.
Also as part of Safe Management Measures, our Learning Centre staff will meet parents at the centres by appointment only but we are manning all telephone lines and will respond to all email correspondence so do feel free to contact your DAS Learning Centre should you have any queries.
The above is, of course, initial information to give you a heads-up. We will provide more details as we receive more information and clarification from the government. Please understand there may be further changes. But be assured that DAS is working hard to ensure we continue bringing services to your child while ensuring safety and retaining quality. Please stay safe and healthy.
Yours sincerely,
Lee Siang
Chief Executive Officer
Dyslexia Association of Singapore