Principal Update – First Full Day

Hello,

We have had a very successful first two days where we welcomed a smaller group of students each day. Tomorrow brings the first school day with all students back together.

While there has been a lot of uncertainty around school re-opening, it has really been nice to have students back in the building. Despite some routines looking a little different, school is back up and running.

Overall, the school community of staff, parents, and students has worked together to make these days go smoothly. I want to extend my thanks to everyone in helping work together to keep the school community safe.

As all students are attending tomorrow, a few observations from our first couple of days:

• We need to reduce crowding during pick up and drop off times. As students now know their designated playground meeting space, parents are encouraged to drop off on the each of the school property.
• The back pavement area is for students and staff only. Parents need to wait by the side bike racks or the back grass area.
• All adults must wear masks on school property. Students must wear masks in the school building

Remember that parents must complete a medical screening of all students before they leave for school. https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/covid19/student-screening-translated-documents/

As we get into regular school days, attendance reporting becomes extremely important. Please input attendance daily into the Safe Arrival/ Parent Portal app. If a student has any symptoms on the daily medical screener, a student either:

• Must have a negative COVID test or be cleared by a physician AND have no symptoms for a 24 hour period
• If any student in a household has symptoms, all siblings must also stay home
• If a parent does not want a student to go to a physician or have a COVID test, the student is to isolate at home for 14 days AND have no symptoms for 24 hours
• Please have a plan in place to have a student (and siblings) picked up if they experience symptoms at any point in the school day. Students who are sent home cannot return for a 24 hour period after symptoms have ended.

The school continues to take guidance from Public Health in regards to these protocols. They are likely to change and be updated as the situation continues to develop. I will continue to keep families updated.

Take care and stay safe,

Simon Goodacre, Principal