Principal’s Message – February 6, 2021
Thank you for your support of the children and teachers during the closure. We are all very excited to be coming back to school on Monday February 8, 2021. Teachers have been in working hard to make sure your child will feel comfortable and supported during this transition.
In preparation for our return to in-person instruction I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some reminders and make you aware of some changes to our current protocols when in-person instruction resumes Monday. All other protocols will continue as usual.
COVID-19 Screening:
Parent/guardians and students are reminded that all students must complete and pass their daily self screening prior to coming to school each day. Students are expected to stay home if symptoms or possible exposures are identified. Parents are asked to phone the school to inform us of your child’s absence. To assist with screening each day, parents can use the province’s COVID-19 school screening tool at COVID-19 school screening.
Screening your child every day before leaving for school is one of the best ways to help our school and community remain safe. Students who arrive at school unwell or present as unwell during the day will be asked to remain in the isolation room until you are able to pick them up. Your child’s teacher will be going over old and new protocols with their class on the first day.
NEW: Mask requirements:
In addition to UGDSB’s current protocols around masking for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12+, additional masking requirements have also been put in place by the Ministry of Education. Students are required to wear a mask, unless they have an exemption. Mask help to prevent respiratory droplets from becoming airborne. Masks will now be required to be worn outside where physical distancing of 2 metres cannot be maintained. We know this can be difficult for young children so we have decided to have designated spots around the school yard for students to have mask breaks. If students masks are wet or dirty they will need to be replaced. As students will be wearing their masks outdoors, I would suggest sending your child with more than one mask so they can change it after recess if needed. Additionally, please note that all current wording refers to mask/masking requirements as opposed to nonmedical face coverings. For example your child will not be permitted to wear a bandana or buff as a mask. Student cloth face coverings are provided by the Ministry of Education as a back-up in the event a student forgets/looses, etc., their mask. The ministry will be sending out cloth masks as schools reopen once they have stock.
Transportation & Inclement Weather:
Transportation and bus routes for students will resume on Monday February 8th. Please check the STWDSTS website at Wellington-Dufferin | Student Transportation Services for transportation information. A reminder to please review the procedures in place for the 2020-21 school year with regards to bus cancellations and inclement weather days: Important changes on bus cancellation days and inclement weather days in the UGDSB. You can also check out the board website as well www.findmyschool.ca for any bus delays or cancellations.
Return of Borrowed Technology:
If you borrowed a Chromebook and charger from the school for the remote learning period we ask that you send it back to school on Monday. You may drop it off at the school by ringing the door bell at the front and someone will come out and retrieve it. You may also send it back to school with your child to give to their teacher. The equipment will be cleaned and redistributed to your classroom. I thank you in advance for taking such good care of the school equipment and for returning it promptly so that it can be used in your child’s classroom again.
Parenting Workshops:
Dufferin Parent Support Network is a network of parents and community agencies who provide education, resources and support for parents of school-aged children. The link below has DPSN’s February schedule of parenting workshops.
Valentine’s Day:
Your child’s classroom will not be exchanging Valentine cards this year. We are also not accepting treats brought in from home. I know this can be disappointing, but we need to make sure all our families remain safe and healthy.
Family Engagement Activities from Primrose School Council:
If you missed the beautiful sunshine this week and didn’t get your snow person built, you still have until Sunday at midnight to get a submission in to [email protected]. The snow person pictures need to be submitted from a parent’s email account. Students are unable to send their submissions from their UG accounts. Parents will get a confirmation email back when school council has received their submission! Have your child go on their classroom and look under the tab Family Engagement School Council to see all the amazing snow people. I have also attached the slideshow with this link Family Snow People. Once your snow person is submitted it will be added to the slide and posted in the Google classrooms. Happy snow building this weekend!
We all have a part to play in keeping Primrose a safe place to learn and work. Thank you for you cooperation.
I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday! Have a lovely rest of the weekend.
Marianne Millsap
Categories: News