Dear Families,
We are very much looking forward to seeing all the kids back next week! We now have all of our health and safety routines in place and are expecting a smooth return to school for everyone. Next week, the biggest challenge will again be establishing settled pick up and drop off routines around the school and within the parking lot. With the large size of our school, we will need the help of all families, to ensure these routines work well in the coming weeks. Please take a few minutes to review the informational items below to ensure this week goes smoothly for your family.
School Parking Lot & Pick Up/Drop Off Routines
Our school parking lot is again going to be extremely busy immediately before and after the school day with very limited available parking spaces. There will continue to be limited parking until the Community Center construction is finished. We require the assistance of all drivers to ensure the parking lot area is a safe place for students. For easier access to the school we strongly recommend families consider the following whenever possible:
- Walk to school
- Park away from the school and walk onto the school grounds
- Most traffic congestion can be avoided by arranging drop off and pick up times 10 minutes before the morning bell, and 10 minutes after the dismissal bell.
- Consider a “drop and go” routine in the parking lot to avoid the need to park and reduce congestion. We have staff outside everyday both in the front and at the rear of the school both before and after school to assist students.
To improve traffic flow within the school driveway/parking lot we have moved the Daycare Van Parking spaces to the lower/west end of the main driveway. This will allow more drop off options for families whose children have classrooms at the East/ Upper end of the school driveway. Please do not park in the parking spaces designated for the daycare vans. We will place cones in this area for the first few days to make it clear. ALL OF OUR OTHER PICK-UP/DROP OFF PARKING LOT ROUTINES REMAIN THE SAME.
To ensure that students can safely enter and exit the school property, and allow traffic to move smoothly within the school driveway/parking lot, we ask families adhere to the following routines:
- Our school driveway is one way only. ALL vehicles must enter use the entrance at the top of the hill (closer to SRT) and leave using the exist at the bottom of the hill (closer to 240th) .
- ALL parked vehicles must be in dedicated park spaces.
- Drivers waiting with their vehicle may stop and wait in the parking stall area (vehicles cannot be left unattended).
- When dropping off and picking up please remember to drive as far down the main school driveway as possible before pulling over to the right side. When vehicles drive further into the driveway we are able to accommodate far more vehicles during peak times. Our driveway is equipped to accommodate two lanes of traffic. The left lane is always the through lane and cars should not stop in this lane. The right lane is a “drop and go” space and the left lane should always be free to allow traffic to easily flow towards the exit.
- Please teach your children to use the school’s two designated crosswalks to reduce the chances of an accident.
- Please do not park in the entrance and exit corners of the school’s main driveway. It is unsafe and prevents other vehicles from safely entering and exiting the school parking lot.
Around the school building
When walking (or waiting) with students around the school building we ask that parents pay attention to the following:
- As much as possible, all adults on school property should practice social distancing and maintain a good physical spacing.
- Remind your children (as needed) that the rule for them when waiting and playing outside is hands off (not social distancing).
- To reduce congestion around the school consider dropping older children off by their POD doors and leaving instead of waiting. We have supervision each morning at the front and rear of the school and will take good care of the kids.
- Scooters and bikes must be walked on the school’s main sidewalks, and near school POD entrances in the 15 minutes before and after school.
Students Daily Health Assessment
Please remember that students must again be illness and symptom free to be at school. This is still a” new normal” where we are required to be more diligent about ensuring all children in classrooms are healthy. Please remember to do a quick health check to ensure they are feeling well before sending them to school. The link to this Daily Health Check is on the school website and is also available online at https://www.k12dailycheck.gov.bc.ca/
Student School Supplies
Classroom teachers will begin to ask families for the $55 payment for student school supplies once students have settled into their new classrooms. Teaching staff will organize these student supplies in a manner that ensures children are not sharing them. This has been a very busy summer, and we have many new families to our school, so if there are any families who have already purchased school supplies already this is not a problem. Simply send these supplies into the school instead and we will organize them with the students.
Our School Office Contact Information
If you need to contact us with questions or need to report your child’s absence/late information please call: 604 466-6231
Our school email is cqe_reception@sd42.ca and can be found under the link on our school website.
We are looking forward to seeing the kids at school again next week!
Sincerely,
Mr. Wheatley