Welcome Back! Additional First Day Of School Information For Families
Good morning, RRMPS parents and guardians;
The Ross R MacKay Public School Staff are excited to welcome back our students after what we hope was a relaxing summer holiday.
I’m sure many of you may still be wondering what school might look like this year. Please take a moment to read through the details below, which should help to answer more of your questions.
On the first day of school, staff members will have class lists to assist students to find their classes and teacher. Teachers will collect their students and bring them into the building once they have all the students on their list. Students are asked to please wear a mask outside on the first day, as the area will be more congested than usual. All students must wear a mask in the building, unless there is a medical reason that has been communicated with the Principal and proper paperwork has been completed.
Also, as a reminder, our bus lane at the front of the school is not to be used by parents picking up and dropping off students unless there are mobility issues. The bus lane is reserved for busses and those community members who require accessible parking due to physical needs. We would also ask that if you are bringing your child to school that you park away from our school and walk the remaining distance to the building to reduce car congestion.
We are excited about getting the year started and looking forward to a smooth start despite some of the challenges we face. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s teacher or the school office.
Please use this link to visit our UGDSB parent information website for COVID updates and return to school details:
https://www.ugdsb.ca/community/coronavirus/2021-22-school-operations/
COVID Protocols:
Masks are to be worn in the classroom and hallways of the school. Masks can be removed during outdoor/recess times because students must remain in their cohort. Social distancing is encouraged at all times. Hand hygiene stations will be available at each entrance and in each classroom.
Families must do self screening each day prior to coming to school. Please use this screening tool each morning:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
Access to school:
Only essential visitors are permitted in the school until further notice. It is our hope that this restriction will not be in place for long. For now, that means parents will not be allowed in the building.
School Activities:
COVID restrictions have been reduced since last Spring. Currently this will allow us to offer more activities for our students to get involved in. We can use common spaces to support more than one classroom (one class at a time), such as our Learning Commons and Gym.
Communication:
At any time, if you have questions or concerns about what is happening at school, please reach out to your child’s teacher or the main office. It is far better to communicate early rather than grow frustrated. Often, a quick phone call or email can help to clarify situations as they arise. Please make sure you have registered with Student Messenger, refer to our website often, and subscribe to our email list (do this at the bottom of our website). Parents are often confused about the difference between giving us their email and giving us permission to be on an email list. Due to Canada’s Anti-Spam legislation, we cannot email you unless you have subscribed to our list.
We are looking forward to seeing our students and having a wonderful school year.
RRMPS Staff.
What’s New? What Stays the Same?
Below is a quick overview of measures that remain the same (most) and measures that are new this school year. Please refer to the Health & Safety Guide and Staff Guide for details related to items in these lists.
Measures that will continue:
- Schools will employ multiple protective strategies to support healthier and safer environments for students and staff.
- Masking requirements will continue to apply to all grades (JK-12+)
- All staff and students must screen for COVID-19 daily before leaving for school.
- Schools will continue to follow school arrival and departure procedures that support physical distancing where possible.
- To start the school year, only essential visitors will be permitted in UGDSB schools.
- Protocols around proper hand hygiene will remain in place.
- Schools will continue to promote as much physical distancing between students, between students and staff, and between staff members.
- Enhanced cleaning, which includes twice daily cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces, will continue.
- The management of COVID-19 cases in schools will continue to be done by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, and the board will continue to follow the direction and guidance of WDGPH.
New this year:
- Masks are not required to be worn outdoors if students remain in their cohort, but physical distancing is also encouraged.
- Different classes will be able to use shared spaces this year, such as technology labs, learning commons and cafeterias, following restrictions around scheduling use and distancing.
- Many activities will be permitted to run this year, as long as health and safety requirements can be maintained, such as clubs and extracurricular activities. Schools will communicate with families directly on available activities, as the year progresses.
Have a safe and enjoyable weekend everyone and I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday September 7th!
Shawn Henderson
Categories: News