Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year!
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year!
We are looking forward to welcoming all of our new and returning students back to J.D. Hogarth P.S. this September! There are still extra precautions in place due to Covid and there are also some positive changes that will allow students to spend more time with friends and participate in extracurricular activities. We are so thankful for having such a supportive community and we appreciate your on-going patience as we work through the school year.
As you are aware, the Upper Grand District School Board, in conjunction with WDG Public Health, has put extensive plans in place for the school year. Our school has created plans that include both operational changes (how we manage the people and resources within the school) and health and safety changes (our response to the COVID pandemic). We hope this document will help answer your questions about the specifics about the opening day and first week of school.
Please also look through our board Parent Handbook, for more detailed information about the changes for this school year. There is also a link to the Board Website and the Parent Question and Answer (Q&A) page.
Link to Board Website and Student and Family Information
Before Coming to School
COVID-19 Screening:
- 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 self-screening tool
What to Bring to School
Please keep your child’s personal items to a minimum! To support a safe and comfortable environment, students are asked to bring the following items clearly labelled with the student’s name:
- knapsack or tote bag for personal belongings
- face masks and lanyard – they may need more than one
- personal water bottle
- seasonal outdoor wear (we are not requiring ‘indoor shoes’ at this time but you are welcome to send them if you wish)
- only those items that are necessary for the day (e.g., pencil case, calculator, pens, pencils)
- students may bring their own devices, but they must be wiped by the student upon entry and before leaving at the end of the day
Lockers and change rooms will not be used at JD Hogarth right away, and we will review this decision later in the year. Students will be required to keep all personal belongings at their desks or hooks throughout the day. To keep their mask handy, we recommend that students bring a lanyard.
How Will I Know What Class My Child is In?
Teachers will not be calling families ahead of time like last year. Instead, on the first day of school, greeters and teachers will be on the yard on the first day to help direct children to their grade’s meeting area which will be clearly identified. Once there, students will be called by their teacher into their class, and brought to their classroom.
First Day Procedures
Morning Drop Off:
Kiss & Ride procedures:
- students being dropped off (as close to bell time at possible) should proceed directly to the back of the building where supervision is available. Please remember the school parking lot and front driveway will be closed to parents in the morning and after school. Please see the attached map which is an outline for safe park and walk zones.
- When students get off the bus, a staff member will guide them to the yard where they can meet their teacher in the prearranged spot.
Who will meet my child?
- greeters/teachers will be at the yard entrance on first day to help direct families to their grade areas
- all teachers will have a large sign with their grade so they are visible to families
Where do I leave my child? / Can I wait with them?
- children can be dropped off at the yard when there is supervision, though we encourage parents to drop off as close to the bell time of 8:50 a.m. as possible
- on the first day, parents may wait with their child(ren) in the designated class area(s) while maintaining social distancing; in general, we encourage parents to drop and go if possible
What if I have medication to drop off?
- as parents are not able to enter the school building, there will be a table set up at the front entrance for dropping off medication, completing medication forms, and to show any outstanding registration documentation
Designated Entry Doors:
To facilitate speedy entry in the morning and to limit unnecessary travel through the building, each 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.
School Greeters:
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 as they enter the building and they may assist with hand sanitizer.
Late Arrival:
- enter by front door only
- wait at open office door
- say “Hi Mrs. Oliver”
- she will ask your name, write it down, then tell you that you can use hand sanitizer and take a paper late slip from the pile (NOTE: Late slip must be given to teacher)
Recess Information:
- we are hoping that student will have the opportunity to play together with students from other classes, with physical distancing encouraged
- the climbers will be open, with some restrictions
- half the school will eat, while the other half is outside to promote distancing in the hallway
Lunch Procedures:
- students will be eating in their own classrooms to minimize contact with other students
- students will not be permitted to go off-site for lunch
Who will help open my child’s containers?
- staff can help, sanitizing their hands before and after
- please have your child practice at home and try to send only things they can open themselves
- student lunch helpers will be available again this year
End of Day Procedures:
- families of students in K-3 will complete a dismissal survey with their classroom teacher to clarify their end-of day pick up plans
- parents are encouraged to create pick-up plans that support physical distancing
Communication with the School
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.
Teachers will once again have a variety of home-school communication options, including communication bags or notebooks. Classroom and school newsletters and other information will be shared on your child’s Google Classroom. If you require paper copies, please inform the office.
Access to the School
Only essential visitors are permitted inside the school (e.g., maintenance personnel).
While we hope to invite volunteers and other guests back inside our building soon, at this time all parents and visitors will not be permitted inside schools, except in case of emergency. At entry and dismissal times, parents are to remain outside the school and adhere to physical distancing protocols.
If you need to pick up your child early, please park and call the school office upon arrival. Office staff will bring your child out to you. Please note that we are not able to have your child packed and waiting at the office ahead of your arrival, so we recommend that you give yourself extra time in order to make appointments, etc.
Categories: School News