Harris Mill Public School

• All parents must screen their children every day before leaving home for symptoms of COVID-19.  If there are symptoms, children need to stay home from school.  If COVID-19 is suspected, testing is recommended. 
• Link to School Screening Tool

• Knapsack or tote bag for personal belongings
• Multiple face masks that are labelled with your child’s name (in case they get wet) 
• Personal water bottle (as drinking fountains will only be used for water bottle filling)
• Seasonal outdoor wear and indoor shoes
• Kindergarten & Primary students: pencil case, pencils, eraser, glue stick, scissors, washable markers, crayons
• Junior Students: pencil case, pencils, eraser, glue stick, scissors, pencil crayons, washable markers, calculator
• Students may bring their own technological devices on the direction of their teacher
• Note: Students will be able to use the coat bays this year, while following social distancing. Students may use shared materials, following hand hygiene protocols.

• The first day for all students is Tuesday, September 7th
• Arrive as close to the bell time as possible
• Where possible please walk with your child to school or park on the street
• To support social distancing we ask that parents drop their children off at the tarmac (kindergarten at the kindergarten gates)
• If you wish to wait please clear the kiss and ride area and wait along the gravel path between the parking lot and  Parkinson Drive while practising social distancing
• On the first day, there will be a sign with each grade to show students where to meet
• Teachers will come to meet their students at this location
• Teachers will direct your child to the appropriate grade level signs
• If raining students are advised to dress for the weather and bring an umbrella
• There will be a table located at the front doors for plans of care and medication. Please drop any plans of care and or medication at this location.  Parents will not have access to the building
• If you require a plan of care please access this link: https://www.ugdsb.ca/board/policy/policy-518-students-with-life-threatening-medical-conditions/

To facilitate speedy entry in the morning and to limit unnecessary travel through the building, each grade/class will be assigned an entry/exit door. This will be the only door that students will use for entering the building, for accessing outdoor activities (and recess), and departing at the end of the school day. 

On the first day, teachers will inform students of their entry/exit door.

A “Greeter” will meet each student at their assigned point of entry first thing in the morning.  Students will be reminded to put on a mask and to socially distance themselves as they enter the building and they may assist with hand sanitizer.

After the initial first day drop-off, each class will be assigned an area of the school grounds/”home base”, where they will gather upon hear the bell and at dismissal. It will be best to arrive close to the bell. The class meeting location is where to meet your child if you come to pick them up in person at the end of the day. This will help avoid crowds of people on the sidewalk. Please ensure that if you are picking up that you are by the class meeting location promptly at the bell. If your child walks home then the “home base”  will be the place from which they will depart. 

Bus students will be ushered to their bus lines directly from their classroom via specific exit doors according to a flow schedule. 

Parents will need to call the office in advance if they are planning to pick up their child early or if their child will be absent on an upcoming day.  Notes in an agenda will no longer suffice.  Parents must phone the main office upon arrival while outside the front doors of the school.

Late arrivals: Call the office to be admitted- 519-856-0309

Each teacher will meet their students at the designated home base area at the bell.  The teacher will reinforce social distancing as students enter their designated door to the building.  Hand hygiene will take place upon entry.

All students will be outdoors at the same time and not required to wear masks.  They do not need to remain with their classes and are encouraged to practice social distancing.

• Students will eat lunch in their classrooms
• They will remain at their assigned desks
• Food is not to be shared 
• Students must take lunch waste home
• Please send your child with a full and labeled water bottle each day
• Students will have the opportunity to use filling stations not water fountains
• If a child is to be picked up for lunch please ensure that the teacher/office is notified in advance and that the office is phoned when you arrive at the front door

• Students must leave the playground at dismissal time
• Please ensure that you are there promptly to pick them up and remain off school property along the gravel path between the parking lot and  Parkinson Drive
• If you have more than one child, kindergarten students should be picked up first at the  kindergarten pen. 
• Kindergarten parents please wait on the concrete on the side closest to the fence adhering to social distancing.

• We will be sending home our regular package of information on the first day of school.  Please complete the forms, and return them to your child’s teacher as soon as you can.
• Please check the school and board websites for regular updates and news.
• If you haven’t already please consider downloading the UG Connect App to receive notifications https://launch.customschoolapp.net/uppergrand/ 
• You can call the office at 519-856-0309 

All parents and visitors will not be permitted inside schools at this time, except in case of emergency. At entry and dismissal times, parents are to remain outside the school and adhere to physical distancing protocols.