Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year! Paisley Road Public School (updated Aug 28)

Posted August 28, 2020

We are looking forward to welcoming all of our new and returning students back to Paisley Road this September.

As you are aware, the Upper Grand District School Board has put extensive plans in place for the school year.  Our school has now 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 Parent Handbook

Link to Board Website and Parent Q & A

Staggered Entry:

Please see the following link for important information about staggered entry. https://www.ugdsb.ca/community/coronavirus/reopening-schools-plan/staggered-entry-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 
  • Public Health Self Screening tool

NOTE: If a student becomes unwell during the day, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified for immediate pick up.

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 – they may need more than one
  • Personal water bottle
  • Seasonal outdoor wear (we are not requiring ‘indoor shoes’ at this time)
  • 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

Students will be required to keep all personal belongings with them throughout the day.

Note: At this time, students are not permitted to bring personal recess items to school (eg. Beyblades, pokemon cards, dolls etc)

Note: Additional information will be provided to families about how the school will help students manage winter boots and coats when cold weather arrives.

How Will I know What Class My Child is In?

In the next few days you will receive information from the Board about staggered entry. On September 5th, you will receive a phone message from the school. The message will let you know who your child’s teacher is.

Your child should only attend the school on the correct staggered entry days.

Please understand that class placements can not be changed. 

First Day Procedures:

Teachers will be waiting behind the school with signs from 8:30 am – 8:45 am on Thursday, September 10th for the first staggered entry group,  and on Friday, September 11th for second group.  Arrival closer to 8:45am is recommended to reduce the number of people at the school.  The school day will begin at 8:45am and end at 3:15 pm.

Students arriving by bus will be dropped off in front of the school. Students will make their way to the back of the school and line up in front of their teacher. We will have many staff outside to help direct students.

We ask that each household limit themselves to 1 parent/guardian accompanying children. This is to aid in physical distancing for the safety of our students, staff and community.

Rainy Day:

Should it be raining, students will use their designated entry door to proceed directly to their classes.

Medication and Chromebook Drop off:

On the first day of school we will arrange tables outside the front doors with staff members available to receive items (eg. medications, chromebook return).

Designated Entry Doors:

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.

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.

First Day Class Meeting Location:

Please line up behind the sign with your child’s teacher’s name on it.  Teachers will be there to greet students.

Late Arrival:

Students who arrive late will come through the front door and check in at the office. Parents are not to come into the building. It is recommended that you call the office if you don’t feel your child can walk to the office independently so someone can escort them. If there is any communication that needs to come to the office, please call 519-822-0675. Parents please remind your child to check into the office before going to the classroom.

At entry and dismissal times, parents are to remain outside the school and adhere to physical distancing protocols.  Please help us to make this successful by dropping off or picking up your child and quickly exiting the school property.

Early Pick up and Appointments:

Please communicate any early pick ups and appointments with the office by calling 519-822-0675 and with the teacher via their preferred communication method (eg. message, email, google classroom). Please do not use the agenda as a means of communicating this information as these will not be checked.

Students Entering the Building:

  • Entry to school by class, single file, maintaining physical distancing led by the teacher.
  • Students will enter and exit the building in an orderly, controlled manner.
  • All students and staff must put on masks upon entry into school and stay physically distanced.
  • Regular hand washing and sanitizing will take place throughout the day.
  • Students will walk on the right-hand side of the hall while keeping space and following arrows on the floor.

Recess and Nutrition Break Information:

  • We have created a plan for staggered recess break and lunch times to minimize student contact.  All classes must remain in their homerooms to eat snacks and lunches.  During recess times, students must play only with members of their class cohort in a designated outdoor space.  Masks do not need to be worn on the yard where physical distancing can occur.
  • Wash hands/sanitize before and after eating.
  • No sharing food.
  • Use water bottles and filling stations and not water fountains
  • Students eat at their individual station in their own classrooms.
  • Physical distancing must be maintained during eating.
  • Students will be asked to take home their recyclables.
  • A litterless lunch is highly encouraged in order to minimize garbage
  • All climbing structures and sand pits on the school yard are closed for the start up of school.  

End of Day Procedures:

  • Students will be dismissed in a similarly organized manner to how they entered the building and classroom with teacher support to reinforce expectations.
  • Students must be physically distanced and wearing a face covering at the school and sanitize hands before leaving the classroom.
  • Protocol for bus students:  Students will have marked areas in the foyer to line up with their bus group. If students are outside with their class they will go through the school to their assigned bus area in the foyer.
  • There will be Safety and Bus patrols using social distance protocols
  • No unstructured play in the school yard after school.
  • No parents in the building to pick up students.
  • Parents/guardians who are picking up students should arrange a meeting spot a minimum of 10m away from doors
  • Parents should be physically distanced on school property: no congregating.
  • Students must leave school at the bell.
  • Older students that are picking up younger students must exit the assigned doors and meet their siblings outside.
  • A staff person will be outside making sure that all students leave safely.

Communication With the School:

1. Complete the Email Notification Sign Up to receive direct email communication.

2. Download UGConnect from the App Store/Google Play.

3. Early pick ups, appointments and lates can be communicated with the office at 519-822-0675.

We will be sending home our regular package of information on the first day of school.  Please complete the included forms, and return them to your child’s teacher as soon as you can.

NOTE: To communicate with teachers, please use their indicated preferred communication method (eg. message, email, google classroom). Agendas will be available for purchase this year but will be used as a student organization tool only. We will not be using the agenda as a means of communicating with teachers.

Access to the School:

Only essential visitors are permitted inside the school (e.g., maintenance personnel).

All parents and visitors will not be permitted inside schools during the pandemic, except in case of emergency. Therefore,  parents will not be able to drop off lunches or other items during the day.  At entry and dismissal times, parents are to remain outside the school and adhere to physical distancing protocols. Please stay 10 metres away from doors when picking up your child.

Public Health Information:

Categories: News