Diversity via Distance.

IN THE SPRING OF 2020, schools were closed to limit the spread and impact of COVID-19 across Canada and beyond. Relationships are key, no matter the modality Relationships - with school staff, with community-based service providers, and for students in particular, with peers - mattered in so many ways for families. Many parents pointed to the regular, personalized check-ins, by email, phone, or video chat, that were offered by their child's edu¬cation assistant and/or teacher as the most beneficial support they received from schools. We also need to attend to skills and structures to ensure that students, families, and school staff are well-supported and resourced as they engage in the challenging work of building effective collaborative relationships. [Extracted from the article]