WELCOME BACK #2
Dear Parents, yesterday was an exciting day! It was great to see our students and families again after a long summer. Again, our goal this year is to focus on HOPE.
“One Family, One HOPE in Christ”
Our staff are all working hard to ensure that students are safe and comfortable. We do not want to increase anxiety or stress levels around the possibility of contacting COVID. There will be more positive cases due to COVID still being in the population, and as more variants are developing. However, we know from the previous school years that less than 5% of school age children have transmitted COVID due to all our parents, staff and students following these 5 important steps:
- Do not attend school if ill (cough, colds, fever).
- Wash hands frequently.
- Wear a mask indoors.
- Respect all individual’s personal space, and practice safe distancing.
- Continue to support each other by being kind in these most trying times.
**Please read pediatrician’s response to back-to-school fears https://t.co/9zGcnT8zo0
There are many political discussions and tensions around vaccinations and masking. However, in all public and school settings we must respect people’s medical privacy. Our goal this year is to respect all students, staff and parents’ individual needs as we move into the “living with COVID” reality. The recommended practise is to ensure all vulnerable individuals and adults over 12 are vaccinated as this will help protect children under 12 who are not vaccinated. We, as a school, will NOT be mandating anyone to do anything other than to follow the public health recommendations and their personal medical advice from their physicians. Our teachers and staff will not be discussing personal choices with students, and we will respect all individuals needs for personal safety and for confidentially. However, we do follow all public health guidelines. Please feel free to contact the office directly if you are unsure of any of the practices or contact Mr. Balletta directly with your concerns. All discussions will remain confidential!
Again, as we begin to transition back to a “normal school year of activities,” please remember that we are all in this together. During the past 18 months, our OLS community has shown great kindness and respect for one another, and we pray we will continue to be kind and compassionate to all again especially through-out this transitional school year!
SEPTEMBER 11, 2021– CONFIRMATION FOR 2021 GRADE 7 GRADUATES
Confirmation for last year’s grade 7’s will be held on Saturday, September 11th. Please see Mrs. Crescenzo’s emails for more details.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 – FEAST OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS MASS, CELEBRATION FOR FATHER RICHARD!
Our school will have an in-person Mass for Father Richard on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on Wednesday, September 15th at 9 a.m. Intermediate students will wear masks in the church and primary will watch from their classes. As mentioned in the summer email, parents who did not get a chance to say goodbye in person, can send a card or gift to the office by Monday, Sept 13th. Students must be in full uniform for the Mass. (black shoes and uniform sweaters)
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 – TERRY FOX RUN
The annual Terry Fox Run will be held on Thursday, September 23rd. Further details will be sent home beforehand.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 – VIRTUAL MEET THE TEACHERS NIGHT
Please mark your calendars. The first mandatory parents’ meeting (as indicated in the Policy Manual and Registration Guide) will be held virtually on Thursday, September 23rd. More information to come.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 – COMMISSIONING SUNDAY MASS
On Sunday, September 26th at 11:30 a.m. there will be a Commissioning Mass for all staff members of Our Lady of Sorrows School.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 – INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS
Students will have their Individual Photos taken by Artona on Monday, September 27th. Please ensure your child comes to school in full uniform on this day. If your child has gym this day, please ensure that they have their gym strip under their uniform.
SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 4, 2021 – VIRTUAL SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The annual OLS Book Fair will be held virtually beginning on Monday, September 27th and will end on Friday, October 1st. Further information will be sent home with students.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 – ORANGE SHIRT DAY
Orange Shirt Day will be held on Wednesday, September 29th. This day is to honour Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools in Canada. Orange Shirt Day challenges us to witness and honour the stories of Survivors and their families, and to commit to meaningful discussion and the ongoing process of reconciliation.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 – NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH & RECONCILIATION – STAT HOLIDAY
There will be no school on Thursday, September 30th. This day is to honour Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools in Canada.
OCTOBER 2, 2021 – FIRST COMMUNION MASS FOR LAST YEAR’S GRADE 2 CLASS
Last year’s Grade 2 class will celebrate their First Holy Communion on Saturday, October 2nd at 11 a.m. Details will be sent home by Mrs. De Amaral soon!
AFTER SCHOOL CLUB NEWS
Our After School Club starts Tuesday, Sept 14th (Mon, Tues, Weds only from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.). The cost for this is $5.00 per 30 minutes per student until 4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m., the cost will be an additional $10.00 per student per 30 minutes. Please email the office by Friday, September 10th (office@myolosschool.com) if you are interested in using this service.
UNIFORMS
Students will be allowed to wear summer uniforms until Monday, October 4th.
OFFICE HOURS
Please note that our office hours for the 2021-2022 school year will be as follows: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Our after-school supervision ends at 3:05 p.m. No gatherings are allowed in the playground.
VISITORS
All visitor contact must be by phone, email or appointment due to COVID protocols.
For the safety of our students and staff, all visitors and parents are required to report to the school office upon arrival where a “Visitor” tag will be issued if needed. We ask that all parents/visitors only use the main school entrance on Slocan Street to enter the school. During instructional time, parents are not to go to their child’s classroom. Any supplies or lunches (labelled with child’s name and grade) are to be left at the office. It is your child’s responsibility (not the office staff) to retrieve their lunch or supplies from the school office. We also 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 to school daily.
ABSENTEES
It is very important that you notify the school by 8:30 a.m. if your child will be absent or late. Our preferred method of notification is by email (office@myolosschool.com) This will save the office time calling and/or emailing you to check if your child is home. If you do not send an email, upon your child’s return to school, you must send a note to the classroom teacher explaining the reason for the absence. Please ensure you include all dates absent. If you have more than one child, we require a separate note for each one. This information is required for our annual Attendance Audit which determines our government funding for the year.