Principal Update Sept 11

Hello,

 

It has been an extremely busy time at Ancaster Meadow this week. Our staff have been working hard to make sure that the school is ready to welcome students with all safety requirements in place. While all safety guidelines are being met, some of our normal beginning of year organization has been delayed. Everyone’s patience is appreciated as we work through this difficult start up; we have prioritized tasks that have focused on safety.

 

A reminder that next week is a staggered start to school:

Monday Sept 14 – School for students with last name A-K only

Tuesday Sept 15 – School for students with last name L-Z only

Wed Sept 16 – First full day of classes for all students

 

A Medical Attestation must be completed before a student is allowed to attend class. The school is not allowed to make any exemptions to this policy. The Attestation can be completed through the Parent Portal or the printed documents can be found at the following link and emailed to [email protected] https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/covid19/student-screening-translated-documents/

 

It is very important that parents complete the daily medical screening at home before sending students to school. Students developing symptoms at school will be moved to an isolation room. Parents will be called to pick up students displaying symptoms up. Please have a plan in place for quick pick up if your child develops symptoms.  Further information about illness reporting will be shared in the coming days.

 

Class placements can be found on the Parent Portal.

 

Class teachers will communicate individually regarding suggested supplies suggested for each grade level. Students may bring personal hand sanitizer but it must be in a container that is 60ml or less. There are disinfectant wipes in each classroom; disinfect wipes cannot be brought from home.

 

All students from JK to Gr 8 must wear masks when inside the school. Student may bring their own mask or a disposable mask can be provided. Students may remove masks when outside. Students must wear a mask and not another type of face covering.

 

When on school property, including outside, all adults must be wearing a mask. All adults must also maintain physically distancing. To ensure the safety of our students and staff, the school yard will have specific parent waiting areas (see attached maps).

Ancaster Meadow Re-opening Planning Map – General

Each class has a designated waiting point on the back blacktop. These areas are for staff and students only. The first period teacher will meet students at this area at 9:00am and also bring students to dismiss at the end of the day (see the attached map).

Ancaster Meadow Class Entry map

To reduce close contact between students and staff, parents are asked to pack lunches that students can access and eat independently and also reduce waste. There are no school food programs running (pizza and Lunchbox) at this point in time.

 

2020-2021 Classes

Staff	Homeroom
Mrs. Gibson (LTO Ms. Grande)	JSA
Mrs. Smith (DECE)
Mrs. Munzar	JSB
Mrs. Serbulla (DECE)
Mrs. McChesney	JSC
Mrs.Bowslaugh  (DECE)
Mrs. Doyle	JSD
Mrs. Thersidis (DECE
Mrs. Pearce-Peters	JSE
Mrs. Kunz	1A
Ms. Dhalla	1B
Ms. Stretton	2A
Mr. Mitchison	2B
Mr. Amodeo	23
Mrs. Lucarelli	3A
Mrs. Barclay	3B
Mr. Pasian	4
Mr. Forrester	45
Ms. Adkins	5A
Ms. Hewitt	56
Mr.Trikoupis	6A
Mrs. Mcewen	67
Ms. Nash	7A
Mr. Steiner	78
Mrs. Mancini	8A
Mr. Romero-Sierra	8B

 

 

From HWSTS:

Further measures include a complete reorganization of school bus routes and runs following the removal by Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services (HWSTS) of the 2,500 students who have declined transportation and the close to 4,000 eligible student riders who have opted to learn at home.  The reorganization was undertaken, and continues to be in progress, to remove stops that no longer have students, consolidate runs and ultimately reduce the number of bus routes. Once completed, bus pick up and drop off times will be updated on the HWSTS website by 6:00pm on September 13, 2020.

 

 

This time has brought a lot of uncertainty for both families and staff. As re-opening approaches, our staff are excited to see students next week. We all have a role in working together to promote a safe reopening.

 

Thank you and stay safe,

Simon Goodacre, Principal