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