May 21, 2020
Dear Parents,
As we have now received news from the Ministry of Education for a voluntary return to school for students starting Monday, June 1st, we will outline our plans for accommodating our willingly returning students. The present situation of proper social distancing and the combination of at home and at school instruction will Not be a FULL return to our previous normal prior to March.
The plan for In-school instruction starting June 1st until June 24th will be as follows:
1. Grades K-5: 2 days per week (split for proper spacing)
Mondays and Wednesdays 8:45a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Family names ending in A-M
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:45a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Families names ending in N-Z
2. Grades 6s and 7s: 1 day per week, Fridays Only from 8:45 a.m. – 2: 45 p.m. for all students.
The purpose of splitting up the grades and days for the classes is to ensure there will be enough physical distancing space for all students while in and out of the building.
This includes separate recess breaks and no sharing of materials, food or clothing.
There will be many safety protocols taken for both students and staff. We are following the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and WorkSafe BC guidelines. Many of these procedures and documents will be sent home next week as we prepare the school for June.
For example:
- Daily screening checklists before entry – (NO one will be allowed entry showing any symptoms!)
- Proper drop off and pick up safety procedures
- Students attending school will be required to bring all their own supplies, snacks, water bottles, and are not allowed to share any items!
- All Surfaces will be wiped daily after use and washrooms will be cleaned twice daily.
- Personal protection devices are optional for students, however, ALL STAFF will be using gloves, masks and face shields where appropriate when Social Distancing is not feasible
- Recess will be separate for each class and there will be no group gatherings.
- Students will only be using their own equipment and there will be a limited number of group games they can play that doesn’t allow for touching.
- Specialist teachers will be teaching from school.
- Synchronous (teacher live directed) learning will be the same where applicable and online.
- Asynchronous learning (student directed homework) will not be led by the teachers but by other staff members such as student aides and support teachers.
Again, more details of this plan will be sent home next week once we receive your completed
Voluntary Return to School Survey. Please click the following link and complete by Friday at 12 p.m.
https://forms.gle/CbSxV2NR7GRnpACL9
After we receive all families’ forms, we will use your answers to prepare the school for the possible return of students and our June learning plan. Please note: there will be NO INSTRUCTION for students on Monday, May 25th and Tuesday, May 26th so we can prepare the school for reopening. Students may be asked to complete unfinished assignments or their already started projects during these days.
In the meantime, we will continue with the present online learning model, and with the Monday, Wednesday and Friday family support opportunity in the school gym for the week of May 25th.
Father Richard has updated the return to Church requirements and the Project Advance notice: Please visit www.olos.ca for all updates!
Hot Lunch Update!
Due to the current status of the pandemic, we will be cancelling all remaining regular and Grade 7 hot lunches for the rest of the school year. Once cancellations have been completed, you will see your final credit on your account. This amount will be carried over to your account next year.
For those families who are leaving the school, we will notify you when a cheque is available at the office.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to email Cristina Morra at oloshotlunch@gmail.com.
Neat Uniforms Update!
Information regarding uniform preparation for next school year and to take advantage of discounts (Focus Week) will be coming soon.
Friday Family Fun Contest!
Due to the many disrupted events this term, we will be starting a new Program until the end of June. It starts with Friday Nights and can be done over the weekends.
The First challenge is to Walk/Bike Run-a-thon! This weekend take a short 5s MAX video of your family, walking, riding or running together. You can share the short video with your classroom teachers of your OLDEST child either through SeeSaw or by Classroom.
All families who enter will be eligible for family prizes, special passes and gifts at the end of June. Each family video per week sent will count as an entry form for the prize draws.
More details will be sent through your classroom teachers’ tomorrow!
Thank you to the Grade 3 and 4 classes this week who send special messages to their teachers.
Again, we are all grateful for Our Lady of Sorrows School and Parish Community.
Thank you to all, and please continue to stay safe and connected!
Sincerely,
Balletta,
Principal