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Welcome Back to System Programs September, 2020

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Welcome Back to System Programs September, 2020

September 2020

Dear System Programs students & caregivers:

We are excited to welcome back students, both in person and through distance learning to the 2020-21 school year. The pandemic has resulted in changes to both school and day-to-day life, but together we can have a safe start to the new school year.  As you’re likely aware, there has been a great deal of communication from HWDSB, and you can always find the latest updates on the main HWDSB web page.

We are taking a wide range of precautions to minimize the risk of COVID-19 in our school programs, and safety is guiding our programming choices.  Below are some key points to remember:

Student Attestation

Before a student can attend a program, we require that their caregiver (or the student if over age 18) completes a one-time attestation that they have read, understood, and will abide by expectations. This attestation can be submitted via the the Parent Portal, or a paper version can be printed, completed and submitted.

Student Attestation Form

Daily COVID-19 Screening

The HWDSB COVID-19 Student Screening Checklist is to be completed daily before leaving for school. The checklist is found on the Parent Portal as well as on the HWDSB website, and is also linked below.  If a student answers “yes” to any of the screening questions, or does not answer the questions, the student has failed the screening and must not attend school. The caregiver should contact Public Health (905) 974-9848 or their doctor for testing. Please contact the school to report the absence. If the student is tested for COVID-19, the school program would appreciate knowing the outcome of that test.  The System Programs Office has two phone numbers:

905-383-5111 (System Alternative Education, Supervised Alternative Learning & Gateway)

905-318-1883 (Education Community Partnership Programs)

Daily Student COVID Self-Screening Tool

Staggered start details

This September we are opening the school year with a staggered start timeline meaning not all students and programs will begin on the same day. Please contact your teacher in each specific program for start dates.

New routines and protocols

Although there will be changes to how school programs operate, we are still offering full day, every day programming following the usual timetable of each program.  The one exception to this will be SHAE, which will be operating at the HRIC on alternate weeks.  If you are in the SHAE program, Ms. Fraser will be in contact to explain the schedule.

Site Specific Plan – Rebecca Street

Site Specific Plan – James Street

Hill Park SAE & SAL Transitions Program:

Our System Alternative Education & Supervised Alternative Learning Transitions  programs will be running out of Hill Park and offering face-to-face teaching and learning beginning on Mon. Sept. 14.   If you will not be returning to the program, please let us know so that we can work with you to plan next steps.

Here is some important information regarding your return to school:

    • If you have not completed the online one-time student attestation form in the Parent Portal, please do so PRIOR TO attending school on the first day.  If you are having a difficult time connecting to the Parent Portal, please complete the attached form, sign it and email it to your teacher prior to your first day.  Taking a picture of this completed and signed form and sending it is also fine.  Due to matters of safety, students will not be permitted to enter the school if the form is not completed and signed.
    • Our program will begin on Monday Sept. 14.  Students will attend Monday-Friday from 10 am to 2 pm.  Again, for matters of safety, please ensure that you arrive on time.  We are carefully monitoring the times that our students are in the building with us.
    • If you have a board issued digital device or a personal device that you typically use for school, please bring that with you to school.  We are limiting shared resources.  Any shared resources will need to be disinfected before it’s shared.
    • When you arrive at school, please enter through the main entrance on East 16th Street and go directly to our classroom.  Masks are mandatory.  Bandanas or neck gaiters are not appropriate masks.  If you do not have a mask, a reusable cloth one will be provided to you on the first day.  It’s also important to socially distance and exercise good hand hygiene at all times.  Signs posted around the school will help you remember these important measures.
    • Please limit the amount of personal belongings you bring to the school with you.
    • You will be assigned a space in the classroom to work.  A seating plan will be created and it’s important that students use that same space each day.
    • Washrooms are available – again, distancing and hand hygiene are important at all times.
    • As suggested by health and education authorities, we will be limiting the number of students in the space and monitoring this number carefully.
    • Staff will be wearing masks and face shields.
    • Outdoor breaks will be arranged and supervised by the classroom staff, as needed.  Masks can be removed outside with appropriate safe distancing.
    • At the end of the day, we ask that students safely distance and exit the school from the main entrance and continue to distance while waiting for any transportation.
    • Students/families are required to do a daily screening at home.  An online screening tool can be accessed here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/.  Our board’s website also has forms and tools available here: https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/covid19/student-screening-translated-documents/.  If you answer yes to any of the daily screening questions, please stay home, and contact the school at 905.383.5111 to let us know.  Please follow-up with your family doctor or Public Health for testing.  The school would appreciate knowing the results of the test.

Your overall safety and well-being is our priority.  We will do our best to ensure a smooth transition back to school and will work to support you in being successful.  Thank you for your attention to these important safety measures.  We are looking forward to having you join us and supporting your success at Hill Park.

Students choosing their learning via distance while remaining in their program will be contacted by their teacher as to how work will be provided and collected.

Turning Point Program:

Important information regarding your return to the Turning Point/SWAC program at Mohawk College.

    1. If you have not already done so, please let Anita Mohar know if you will be returning to the program this semester.
    2. Face-to-face teaching and learning will begin at Mohawk on Mon. Sept. 14.
    3. Our Turning Point program will take place in person, Monday-Friday from 10 am – 2 pm.
    4. Students are required to complete the HWDSB student attestation form PRIOR TO arriving to school on Sept. 14.  If it has not been completed, you will not be allowed to enter.  The form can be completed online through the Parent Portal, or you can complete the attached form and email/scan it to your teacher.
    5. Entry will only be permitted from key locations on campus.  These locations have been shared with students.  Once you arrive, security will screen you either by having you access an online screening tool using your smart phone, or by showing ID and having you answer a series of questions.  Students are reminded to carry identification at all times.  We will be providing your first and last name to security for the purpose of permitting access to the campus.  If you have any concerns with this, please let us know.
    6. Masks are required.  Social distancing (2m distance) and good hand hygiene are important.  The attached prevention plan outlines specific details regarding the health and safety requirements of Mohawk college and our classroom spaces specifically.
    7. Once you are screened and given access, you must go directly to your classroom.  Students will remain in their period 1 classroom for the duration of their time at Mohawk each day.  Students will also be assigned to a desk.  Students will not travel to other classes or classrooms.  Teachers will rotate into the classrooms to teach lessons to some students in the space and/or provide support, as required.  Doing so will allow students to be grouped in a cohort, which aligns with the recommended Public Health measures.
    8. Personal digital devices or individual board-issued digital devices are encouraged to minimize the sharing of resources.
    9. Students are required to sign in and out when entering or exiting classrooms for possible contact tracing purposes.
    10. Students are required to do a daily screening at home.  An online screening tool can be accessed here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/.  Our board’s website also has forms and tools available here: https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/covid19/student-screening-translated-documents/.  If you answer yes to any of the daily screening questions, please stay home, and contact Hill Park Learning Centre to let us know.  Please follow-up with your family doctor or Public Health for testing.  The school would appreciate knowing the results of the test.

All students who attend System Programs classes will be expected to wear a mask (no bandanas or gaitors). If they do not have a mask, one will be provided on the first day of school.  Individual exceptions to the mask expectation will be handled in consultation with the school program.  HWDSB staff will be wearing both a mask and face shield.

Visitors

Programs will significantly limit visitors, including caregivers, to support a safe and healthy learning environment. We ask caregivers to call or email if they need to provide information or contact a staff member. Also, it is strongly recommended that items not be dropped-off during the school day.  In circumstances where visitor entry is essential, there will be a screening process and any visitors will be expected to wear a mask. All visitors will be required to have approval in advance.

We will continue to provide updates as we receive new or revised information. Thank you for understanding the challenges of planning the new school year, and for sharing our commitment to the safety of all.  Stay up-to-date and learn more about COVID-19 precautions at HWDSB at www.hwdsb.on.ca/covid19.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Regards,

Glenn Cooke, Lyndsy Baillie & Mark Harris

System Programs Administration

Updated on Thursday, September 10, 2020.
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