Welcome Back – February 8th, 2021 – What you need to know

Posted February 4, 2021

Thank you to all of our families for all of your hard work and support throughout the 5 week Remote Learning period. We know it wasn’t easy and we couldn’t have done it without your support. It takes a village – and remote learning definitely relied on everyone – educators, students, parents, grandparents, child care providers, aunts, uncles …. thank you everyone!

As you are aware, students will return on Monday, February 8th. Staff will review all of our routines and expectations during our first week back.

For your reference, here is the updated September Return to School Document

Here are some reminders for our families of the Public Health guidelines that we will be following. Most are continuing from before the break, and some will be new to all of us.

Mask Updates:

  • NEW  Students are required to wear masks at all times, both indoors and outdoors (with the exception of eating times)
  • Please take time this weekend to review with your child(ren) how to put masks on, where to store them when eating
  • “Mask Breaks” – school staff are currently in the process of developing a plan for “mask breaks”.  Students will be provided with a designated area, within their recess “cohort areas”, where they will be permitted to remove their masks while maintaining 2 meters physical distance.  In addition, teachers may choose to take their students outside during instructional time to provide a “mask break” while maintaining 2 meters physical distancing between students
  • 3-layer masks are not required at this time (more info to come if that changes); cloth masks, as before the break, are permitted and preferable to “gators” which do not stay up easily
  • Number of Masks to send to school:  masks worn outside will get wet due to condensation in winter weather.  The following is a recommendation regarding the number of masks students can expect to wear throughout the day.  Please also consider your individual child – are they prone to misplacing their mask, etc.:

    • 1 – before school (will get wet outside)
    • 2 – 1 per recess break (will get wet outside)
    • 3 – instructional blocks

(Total recommended: approx 6 each day)

  • Students will be required to wear proper masks outside (e.g. scarf or balaclava do not replace the requirement for a mask)
  • Any individual concerns regarding masks can be shared with the classroom teacher; if access to masks is a concern, please contact your child’s teacher

Before School Drop-off:

  • All staff and students are completing the “Covid-19 Self-Screening” tool prior to coming to school (found on all school websites – please review)
  • Walkers/Drop-Offs – please remember to come as close to the bell as possible (8:50am) to help reduce waiting outside in social distanced lines and congregating
  • If necessary, please cross the street using the designate crossing area/Crossing Guard
  • Students will continue to line up before school in their class lines, 2 meters apart, as they enter school property (as they did prior to the break)

 

After School Pick-up:

  • Parents/Guardians – please refrain from congregating while waiting for students at 3:20pm.  We ask that you socially distance, while wearing masks, when waiting for your child(ren) 
  • Please DO NOT walk between buses that are picking students up. For your own safety, use the bus loop sidewalk.
  • The expectation to leave the school premises as soon as possible
  • While waiting for your children, students will be expected to wait with you – snow hills, creative play structure, Gaga Pits are off limits at this time 
  • Our creative play structure and Gaga Pits remain closed throughout the day as well

Personal Belongings at School:

  • As prior to the Winter Break, please only send children to school with essentials (personal toys are not permitted)
  • School-related essential personal belongings will be permitted to stay at school (e.g. pencil cases, indoor shoes, headphones, etc.)
  • Please ensure your child’s name is on all personal belongings. This will help staff return lost items promptly.

Term 1 Report Cards:   Coming home Friday, February 19th, 2021

March Break:   March 15-19th, 2021 – no changes to this break at this time

UGConnect App:    This app is a must to have! Access to our school calendar, website, bus delays/cancellations and messages from the UGDSB and DHPS are sent directly to your phone. It’s a great way to keep up to date – especially these days!

Thank you again, to all Drayton Heights community members, for your ongoing support and commitment to promoting student health and safety during this time.  

For common questions about schools, please visit the Board Website and the Parent Question and Answer (Q&A) page and also Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

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