Dear Families,
I hope this latest update finds most families still coping okay with our “new normal.” I want to provide some details about what c̓əsqənelə’s school plans would like in June now that the District has finalized the framework for schools to reopen. The Superintendent highlighted a number of specific health and safety measures in place across the District in her letter so I won’t review those again in detail. This message will focus on the daily routines that we all we need to be aware of when at c̓əsqənelə.
We are very excited to have many of the children returning and want to ensure this is done in a safe and thoughtful manner. If your child is returning for optional “in class” instruction in June they will likely find their school experience to be quite similar to what they remembered. We have a highly skilled and caring staff at c̓əsqənelə. I expect this June experience to be enjoyable and quite normal for the kids. We will have some different routines such as more regular hand washing, reminders about hands to self and social distancing, and smaller class groupings but many of the things that make this a great school for kids will remain.
Morning Drop Off Routine:
The greatest health and safety risk at the school is bigger gatherings and adult to adult transmission. To properly manage this challenge we ask that parents drop their children off at the school’s outside POD doors and continue to practice social distancing routines around the school property. We will resume our school’s normal “open door” routines, with parents welcome inside the school, as soon as it is safe to do so. For the month of June only staff and students are permitted to enter the school.
To reduce traffic, and pedestrian congestion, around the school during pick up and drop off times we are using a soft start and soft finish approach. There will be a 15 minute window each morning between 8:30-8:45 and 2:05-2:20 for parents to drop off and pick up students. Teachers will contact parents if there are any additional routines for individual PODs once we know how many students are returning to each teaching space.
Students are to continue to use their usual POD entrances except for the Gr.3/4 Wolf POD (Brinkert, Borghardt, and Graham). We ask that these Gr. 3/4 students please wait on the grass and paved area near the field at the West end of the school to reduce congestion along the laneway at the rear of the school. For all other POD entrances, we expect that there will be sufficient space along the school walkways for students and parents to enter safely with this soft start and finish approach. Once children have entered into the school classroom teachers will coordinate how students can most easily access cubbies, classrooms, and wash hands.
Other routines within the school are:
- Our school is blessed with hallways that are 8-9 feet wide. There is plenty of space for us to safely walk past each other and still socially distance providing we keep near the right side walls. We have placed signs in the hallways about this new routine and will remind each other.
- Classrooms and PODS will have lots of space with only half of students back at one time. We will also space the kids more thoughtfully within the classrooms. Public Health states that we minimize student to student physical contact and try to physically distance students as best we can, but it is not a requirement.
- Students and staff will practice more regular hand washing routines and we have designated certain washroom spaces for each POD.
- Staff will be thoughtful about how equipment and learning materials are used to reduce cross contamination concerns. Students will use their own materials as much as possible and we will clean other items thoroughly. We will also do more outside learning activities for the month of June.
Health & Safety Reminder:
To manage our new reality well as a school it will be up to our entire school community to ensure that any children who are sick remain at home until their symptoms have disappeared. As parents, many of us have sent our kids to school in the past when they have had some sniffles or been a little under the weather. In our current context this is not an option. Please assess how your child is feeling daily before sending them to school. If anyone is not feeling well or are exhibiting any cold or flu like symptoms they cannot attend. Any children at school who are not well cannot remain in the classrooms and will be sent home.
Additional Information:
In the coming days, you should expect to see more updates as we establish our new routines. Classroom teachers will also be emailing you with additional information regarding, how your child’s “in class” and/or online learning will look in June, and with any POD specific plans or routines. For some families it will be a little strange to not be able to come into our wonderful school and have quick conversation with staff. Please do not let this temporary safety measure stop you from connecting with us. If you have any questions or information to share do not hesitate to call or email us so we can continue to do the best job we can together for your child(ren).
c̓əsqənelə’s First School Year Book!
Many of our amazing students have been working to create a wonderful c̓əsqənelə year book with Mrs. Smith and Ms. Palmer to celebrate our first year together. Please see the order information below if you would like to purchase one.
Orders Due: Tuesday June 2, 2020
Cost: $13 (This reduced price is due to the generous contribution from our c’usqunela PAC)
Purchase online through Photo Express with the link below:
https://store.plicbooks.ca/projects/90ac1b36-0726-4914-8d37-450c7dba0a5b
Sincerely,
Mr. Wheatley