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Letter From The Principal - May 27

May 27, 2020

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May 27th, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope this finds you well.  Below I have outlined some measures that our West Heights staff are taking to ensure that we comply to the Provincial Health Officer’s recommendations around the re-opening of schools. I realize that this is a lot of information and please know that it is not to add “stress” but, to keep you informed. Please be reminded that in person school is completely optional and students will be going through to the next grade regardless. It is imperative that if you plan on coming into school next week that you please contact your teacher and let them know so they can plan accordingly. Please contact me if you have any further concerns or questions. 

Important points:

  • School will be re-opening for small groups on June 1st.
  • Groupings will be sent in a separate email by teachers for those families that have expressed interest in coming back. Please understand that a lot of time went into these groupings and I kindly ask that you understand they are not easily changed. Currently, changes are not possible, however, if there is a concern please email your teacher
  • Groups have been confirmed as Group A: Monday and Tuesday and Group B: Thursday and Friday with the remote learning day on Wednesday
  • School will be regular hours which is 8:25-2:23
  • Only one parent is allowed in the front foyer to talk to the secretary at one time. Besides one parent talking to the secretary, absolutely no other parent/guardian is allowed in the school. We will have social distancing line-ups clearly marked. If you want to be in contact with the principal or a staff member, please contact them directly or call the school phone to make an appointment (604-826-6401)
  • With the return of in class instruction, remote learning for students will look different then it currently does. Teachers are looking at how they will adjust their time, and this could look different from teacher to teacher. This is new to all of us, and the staff and myself really appreciate your patience as we navigate these new waters. 
  • We will use regular entrances to school. Hence, in most cases, this will be classroom doors from the outside
  • The office is a restricted area, if your student is late have them “check in” at your classroom.  Late slips will not be given out. Since access is still restricted to “visitors; this includes parents/guardians”, you will not be able to walk them to the class, just safely drop them at the front doors. Thanks for your understanding.
  • School will look different for students in the month of June. Please talk to your child about the changes in advance. Thank you! However, we are all working hard to maintain some sense of “normality” during this time. 
  • At this time, playground equipment will remain closed. However, equipment may be shared among their class cohort (this has been approved by Public Health Authority). For example, your class can play soccer, but tag may not be an acceptable game at this time.
  • We ask that when you drop off or pick up your student, you do not socialize on school property. I realize that you have not seen each other in a long time and, you too, need the socialization; but, we are still required to maintain social distancing, especially with adults, and we need to minimize congestion outside.  
  • We will be closing our water fountain and limiting it to the bottle-filling option only.  Please send your child with a water bottle.
  • Please do not send your child to school if they are displaying any flu-like symptoms.  We realize it is difficult with allergy season, but please do remain mindful.
  • All students will be visually checked for any flu-like symptoms.  If your child has any symptoms, they will be asked to go home.  Instead of remaining in the class for pick-up, they will wait in a designated “sick” room
  • All staff will also be visually checked for symptoms when they enter the building.
  • When entering the building, all students and staff are required to wash their hands using the proper handwashing technique.  Students will be taught this on the first day back; however, I am sure they have it down pat already. 😊
  • All staff and students will be required to follow the hand washing protocol whenever they re-enter their classroom (for example: if the class went outside they must wash their hands upon re-entering their classroom, or if they went to the washroom they must wash their hands once re-entering the classroom even though they washed them upon leaving the washroom.
  • When leaving the building to go home, all students and staff will be required to wash their hands using the same protocol as when entering.
  • There will be no sharing of school supplies.  We ask that supplies be brought to school on the student’s first day and taken home on the second day.  If the students have forgotten their supplies, we do have extras.
  • There will be no garbage cans provided. All lunches packed into the school and the associated garbage must go back home each day
  • Our morning breakfast program and lunch kitchen will be closed until further notice
  • Student workstations will be physically separated, and the student will use the same work area for the remainder of the year.  All workstations will be sanitized nightly.
  • Students will be asked to remain in their class as much as possible (leaving for the washroom, water refill, recess and lunch, and if their class is doing an outdoor activity). We are trying to ensure that the hallway does not become a gathering place. 
  • At this time, our gym will be closed. Physical activity will be completed outside. 

 

Some Health and Safety protocols are still under review. We will keep you informed as updates are available and if information about the above points need to be adapted to follow the new protocols. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move through these uncharted territories.

Again, please contact the school with any questions you may have. I can be reached at 604-826-6401 or by email. Have a wonderful day!

 

Kindest regards,

Mikel Brogan

Principal: West Heights Community School