Shared Responsibility
Some Families will view our shared responsibility program as providing “the best of both worlds” by combining parent directed home education with teacher directed instruction for chosen subject areas. Shared responsibility programming is ultimately flexible, allowing you to home educate your child while gaining access to the services and support of a teacher in delivering some programming. Delivery of the teacher-directed component could be online or onsite.
ursa Home Education Managers
Home Education Managers support our Parent Directed and Shared Responsibility families. In addition to being Alberta certified teachers, our Home Education Managers are experienced home educators. They know how to assist parents in providing a home-based program, while referring students to the appropriate ursa Subject Specialist for teacher directed instruction.
ursa Distance Online Teachers
ursa’s Distance Online Teachers (DOTs) are experienced online educators with specialized training in teaching subject specific courses. Learning the material along with a teacher who truly understands the content allows for a deeper discussion between all members of the learning community. Our teachers focus on meeting each student’s needs more than on simply getting through the curriculum.
ursa Students
ursa students may reside anywhere in the world and be in Kindergarten to Grade 12. As an ursa student, you want to pursue your passions, whenever and wherever they may take you, whether that be sports, the arts, specialized academic areas, travel, or….well…”the world is your oyster”. We’re here to support and serve.
The flexibility of online learning
One of the benefits of an online classroom is the flexibility that it provides. The world becomes your study space. The world becomes your classroom. With access to the Internet you can engage with your class and continue the learning journey from any location throughout the world. Should there be times when you are unable to attend the synchronous classes, materials are made available so that the learning can continue. Online learning makes distance transparent. Your teacher is always just an email or call away. With a low student teacher ratio you are always part of a global community of learners.
The support of a traditional classroom
A distance learning environment does not mean that students are provided a lower level of support. In many ways the amount of support for students is actually greater. Through the CANVAS Learning Management System, materials are provided that encourage and support student learning, and are available whenever the students need them. Multimedia materials, documents and guided inquiry are only a few examples of the resources that learners have at their disposal. Students can easily communicate with their assigned teacher through email to get assistance or clarification. Teachers also have office hours where students can meet with their teachers to get assistance as needed. All the supports of a traditional classroom are there, and more!
Applying to ursa
Online applications for ursa’s Parent Directed, Shared Responsibility, and Teacher Directed Programs for the 2024-2025 school year are now open.
We use SchoolCloud for online registrations. To apply:
Before You Begin the Application
- We strongly recommend using a computer rather than a mobile phone or tablet to submit your application online.
- You will need your child’s Alberta Health Care number (in case we need it during onsite classes, field trips or other activities) and a scanned copy or photo of your child’s Birth Certificate or proof of citizenship or residency so that have those ready.
Completing the Application
- First, create a SchoolCloud account at https://schoolcloud.ca/CreateUrsaAccount . You will receive an email with a link to set your password. If you already have an account, login at https://schoolcloud.ca/Login
- After creating your password, use it to log in and start the application.
- Once you have entered your student’s name and birthdate, the application will move through a series of tabs. After each page, click “Save and Continue”
- First, choose the school (ursa) and the program your child is registering for: Parent Directed, Shared Responsibility, Distance, or Global Online. Clicking on the different choices will give you a description of each to help you know which to choose.
- Fill in your student’s basic information (grade, address, etc.) and the parent information.
- The questionnaire gives us helpful information to know how to best support your family.
- Upload a copy of the child’s birth certificate on the “Forms” tab.
- Work through each of the other tabs. For Parent Directed and Shared Responsibility students, the last page asks you to choose between following the Alberta Programs of Study or the Schedule in the Home Education Regulation, which can be found HERE
- After completing the application, you will have an opportunity to add an additional new student. Repeat these steps to submit applications for all students.
- The system will email you a copy of your completed application.
- We will contact you if additional information is required to process your application.
- If you have problems with any part of the application, you can contact us at schoolcloud@thirdschools.ca
For further information about ursa and how to apply.
To connect with our Home Education Managers and the rest of the ursa community, visit us on Facebook