Dear Parents,
Welcome back! We are happy we have our students back; healthy and eager to finish the school year with their great enthusiasm and kindness!
As we heard from Dr. Bonnie Henry yesterday, we are experiencing a high in positive community Covid cases. Again, our school will be affected by this surge in positive Covid cases as school exposure is directly related to community spread.
Therefore, we are asking families to continue to daily screen, keep children home if they are not well or showing any of the cold or flu symptoms, and to let the office know if there are any potential exposure risks. It may take several days for us to be notified by FH or VCH, therefore if you are unsure of what is best to do for your child, please email the office. All cases are kept confidential! Also, travel to whistler has now been banned, as well travel to vacation cabins. We ask any family who travelled to those areas over the break to wait 72 hrs. and be symptom free prior to sending children back to school to ensure safety for all classmates.
If there are any positive cases in the home, we ask all family members to isolate for the 2 weeks as well.
Thank you for continuing to do all you can to help control the spread of these more highly contagious variants.
Due to the higher risk of spread, we are stopping ALL special event treats from home effective immediately, i.e., Easter, spring, or summer treats, etc.
We will allow a “class wide” pizza birthday treat, or lunch, as long as the teacher is contacted, and arrangements are made in advance to ensure these commercially prepared meals are able to be distributed safely. Please contact your classroom teacher for more details or for other options.
Please take a moment to review our Newsletter Reminders 2020-2021 (which includes the daily screening form).
COVID UPDATE! – IMPORTANT!
Yesterday in a News Release from the Premier’s Office, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Henry announced new and amended orders and guidelines that will be in effect through April 19, 2021, which include: “Public health guidance for schools has also been amended to support and encourage students down to Grade 4 to wear masks while at school.”
This is not a mandatory order, however many of our classes have voluntarily used masks for their own safety and for those around them who may have compromised immune systems.
We will continue to monitor and update you on all announcements from the Ministry of Health and from the Ministry of Education.
Yesterday’s announcements can be found here:
B.C. implements sweeping restrictions on indoor dining, group fitness for 3-week ‘circuit breaker’ | CBC News
B.C. is implementing a three-week “circuit breaker”-style lockdown, introducing sweeping new restrictions on indoor dining in restaurants, group fitness and worship services.
In light of the reversal of in person Easter services, the Parish has modified the Holy Week services to include outdoor Mass of 50 cars and new Communion opportunities.
NEW EASTER TRIDUUM SCHEDULE FOR OLS
Holy Thursday
6:30 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper (English, Italian, Spanish) (live streamed)
Good Friday
3:00 pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (English) (live streamed)
5:00 pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (Spanish) (live streamed)
Holy Saturday
6:30 pm Easter Vigil (Italian, English, Spanish) (live streamed)
Easter Sunday
8:30 am (English)
10:00 am (Italian)
11:30 am (English) (live streamed)
1:00 pm (Spanish (live streamed)
Note:
- 50 cars only with those in the same bubble in each car.
- People who have underlying health issues or are feeling ill should not attend.
- Participants are to remain in their cars at all times.
- Communion for those participating in the drive-in Masses will be brought to the cars and distributed at the end of Mass.
- Communion will be distributed to those who could not participate in the drive-in Masses from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
- Registration for drive-in Masses will open on Wednesday, March 31 at 9:00 am and only via the web page or through the parish office, no emails or phone messages.
PLEASE VISIT www.olos.ca for up-to-date details. As Easter is a very important Faith event for our children to experience with their families, please take the time to plan for this special Holy Week’s events. Thank you to Father Richard and his parish staff and volunteers who have been able to keep our faith experiences and messages of hope alive during this difficult year of Church closures.
APRIL 1, 2021 – STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Stations of the Cross will be performed by the grade 7 class from 10:45 am – 11:45 am in the Gym. All students should be in FULL UNIFORM.
APRIL 2, 2021 – NO SCHOOL GOOD FRIDAY
APRIL 4, 2021 – EASTER SUNDAY
APRIL 5, 2021 – NO SCHOOL EASTER MONDAY
APRIL 6, 2021- LENT BOXES
Lent boxes were sent home with students last week. Please ensure your child has brought a box home. All boxes will be collected after Easter Monday, Tuesday, April 6th. We ask that ALL students label their box with their name and dollar amount collected. Please use this opportunity to encourage your child to give alms (to do charitable work).
APRIL 14-16, 2021 – CLOTHING DRIVE
Please note we will be having a Clothing Drive! Time to clear out your closet.
Drop-off Dates:
April 14th – 16th – 8:25 am (morning drop-off)
Donations we take:
Lightly used and clean
- Clothing for men, women, and children
- Accessories (belts, hats, scarves)
- Shoes and boots
- Under garments, nylons, and socks
- Towels, tablecloths, and curtains
- Blankets, bedding, and pillows
How to Bag Donations:
- Fill standard black garbage bags (26” x 36”)
- Minimum 16lbs & Maximum 20lbs
APRIL 19, 2021 – CLASS PHOTO DAY
Please make sure students come to school dressed in full uniform.
APRIL 23, 2021 – EARTH DAY – COLOUR DAY
Dress down in earth colour tones on Friday, April 23rd. Those children having gym class on this day, are still required to wear gym strip under their clothes.
APRIL 2021 HOT LUNCH DATES:
| April 8, 2021 (Thursday) | Subway |
| April 16, 2021 (Friday Gr. 7 ) | Stan’s Pizza |
| April 22, 2021 (Thursday) | Pizza |
| April 30, 2021 (Friday Gr. 7) | Pizzette |
OUR LADY OF SORROWS PRESCHOOL
We continue to accept registration for both the Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Preschool classes for the September 2021 – June 2022 school year. For further information, please contact the preschool by email preschool@myolosschool.com.
REMINDERS:
SCHOOL SUPPLIES & LUNCH DROP-OFF REMINDER
We would like to remind you that due to the current COVID 19 restrictions, we wish to restrict calls home for supplies and lunches, so please have your child review daily routines and help them to prepare for their day prior to bedtime. We encourage your children to bring all necessary items, including lunches, to school daily. Every time a lunch or school supplies are dropped off at the office, we increase our risk to exposure. Thank you.