First Day Procedures – September 7, 2021
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year!
We are looking forward to welcoming all of our new and returning students back to Paisley Road Public School on September 7th!
As you are aware, the Upper Grand District School Board 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.
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.
First Day Procedures
Students will meet their teachers on the grass area behind the school, from 8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Each homeroom teacher will be holding up a sign, noting their name and grade. Please note that classes will be lined up on the field, in order by grade as indicated by the following map. Please note that the school day begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m.
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 and maintain their flow. All staff will be wearing a fluorescent orange vest and a school set of class lists. If students do not know the name of their classroom teacher, they can ask any staff member for help and subsequent directions to their line.
To reduce the number of people on the school yard as well as assist with physical distancing, we respectfully ask that each household limit themselves to 1 parent/guardian accompanying children. Parents dropping off their child(ren) will remain on the tarmac. For safety, parents and students are reminded to use the sidewalks on the school property.
If It’s Raining On the First Day
In the event it is raining on the first day of school, students will use their designated entry door to proceed directly into the school. Upon entering the school, students will be met by a staff member who will direct them to their class. Several staff members will be circulating in the hallways, directing students accordingly. Please see the linked map for your child’s entry door.
Medication and Chromebook Drop Off
On the first day of school two staff members will be situated at a table outside the front doors of the school, available to receive items (i.e., medications, chromebooks return). In the event it is raining, please wait outside the front doors of the school, where you will be met by a staff member to accept the items you are dropping off.
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 door.
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 as they enter the building.
Late Arrival:
Students who arrive late in the morning will come through the front door of the school and check-in at the office. Parents are not permitted to enter 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, if they are late, before going to their 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 pickups and appointments with the office by calling 519-822-0675 and with the teacher via their preferred communication method (eg. email, Google Classroom). Please do not use the agenda as a means of communicating this information as it may not be checked in a timely fashion.
Students Entering the Building
*Entry to school by class, single file
*Students will enter and exit the building in an orderly, controlled manner.
*All students and staff must put on masks while in the school.
*Regular hand washing and sanitizing will take place throughout the day.
Lunch/Recess Procedures/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 can play with other cohorts and socially distance themselves when possible.
*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 while eating.
*Students will be asked to take home their recyclables.
*A litterless lunch is highly encouraged in order to minimize garbage
End of Day Procedures
Students will be dismissed from where they met their teaching during the morning
Students must wear a face covering while exiting the school and sanitize hands before leaving the classroom. Once outside, students may remove their masks.
Protocol for Bus Students
Bus students will be called down to the front foyer, ten minutes prior to the bell at the end of the day. Students will be given their bus tags and assigned seats. Students are to use this assigned seat on the way to school and when going home.
*No unstructured play in the school yard after school.
*Parents cannot be in the building to pick up students.
*Parents/guardians who are picking up students should arrange a meeting spot, at the back of the school.
*Parents should be physically distanced on school property: no congregating.
*Students must leave school at the bell.
*Older students who are picking up younger students/siblings must exit their assigned doors, and meet at a predetermined location outside.
*A staff member will be outside on duty, ensuring students exit the property safely.
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 and indoor shoes
*Only those items that are necessary for the day (e.g., pencil case, calculator, pens, pencils)
*Students may bring their own devices.
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 pickups, 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 by Friday, September 10th.
NOTE: To communicate with teachers, please use their indicated preferred communication method (eg. message, email, google classroom).
Access to the School
Only essential visitors are permitted inside the school (e.g., board staff, third party student support services).
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.
Public Health Information
Public Health Self Screening tool
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