Frequently Asked Questions – Start Up Information at Dundana

We had a wonderful first week of school at Dundana.  Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we get everyone used to a return to school with protocol restrictions, including a few new ones introduced this fall.

Several questions have come up repeatedly from families this fall.  Hopefully, this FAQ can answer some of those questions you might have.

What is required for Daily Active Screening for my child?

Hamilton Public Health is requiring us to check that every student has been actively screened each day at home before coming to school.  For K to 8 students, this means parents/guardians are asked to ensure their child passes the screener found here:  https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/  .  If your child is cleared by the screener to go to school that day, please sign or initial the paper verification calendar that will travel to and from school each day with your child.  We do not need to see the actual screener (i.e. the green checkmark) in elementary; just parent/guardian confirmation that it was done.

If students do not come with verification of screening, school staff are required to follow up with families to ensure the child was screened prior to coming to school.

Is there courtesy bus transportation this year?

Transportation has indicated that some courtesy busing spots may open up on some bus routes.  Decisions about which routes have empty spaces will be determined in mid-October.  Courtesy busing spots are not guaranteed.  Application information, including the courtesy bus application form, will be posted on the school website in October.  For more information, please see:  https://www.hamiltonschoolbus.ca/service-emptyseat.aspx

Will there be a re-organization of classes this year? If there is, when will it be?

Ontario elementary schools are required to go through a re-organization in early October to ensure provincial caps and class size guidelines are maintained after actual enrollment is verified.  At this point, it is unknown if any Dundana classes will be re-organized.  Should our numbers warrant it, impacted families will receive a paper letter with their child at the end of September.  Re-organization is due to occur the week of October 4 for any impacted classes in our school board.

Re-organization will also be when students who are moving from remote to in person, or from in person to remote, will begin  in their new classes.

Are parents/guardians permitted in the school?

At this time, Hamilton Public Health is requiring us to significantly limit who enters the school building, including parents, guardians, volunteers, and visitors.  If you are dropping off or picking up your child at an atypical time, we ask that you please buzz the office with the front door monitor.  Office staff will then monitor your child entering/leaving the school while you wait outside.

How can I contact my child’s educators?

If you wish to speak to your child’s educator(s), they will let you know the best means of communication.  All of our Grade 1 to 5 students have been provided with a paper agenda, which is an ideal way to request information and communication.  Kindergarten students have been provided a communication bag for the same purpose.  Some teachers may also have an alternate means of contact (e.g. email, phone calls) that may also work.

Are we having “pizza days” this year?

At this time, safety protocols do not permit the sale or sharing of food at school.  If we are permitted to resume these services later in the year, we’ll communicate that out via the school email.

My child’s bus has been very late some days.  How can I be made aware of these delays?

Transportation posts known late pick up/drop offs and bus cancellations on their website, here:  https://www.hamiltonschoolbus.ca/

Families with a child on a bus are strongly encouraged to subscribe to updates on the Transportation Portal so that you will be made aware of any bus delays on your child’s route.  The school does not receive any additional information, beyond what is posted.

As the start up organization glitches are resolved and drivers become more aware of their routes, it is hoped that the route times will become more accurate.

I have questions about my child’s transportation or I want to get my child on the transportation list.  How do I go about getting more information?

Getting route information, adding eligible students to routes and answering questions about bus stop locations are all supported by the Transportation department’s communication team.  Please contact them here:  https://www.hamiltonschoolbus.ca/contact.aspx

Please note that only students who live more than 1.2 km away (Kindergarten) or 1.6 km away (Grade 1 to 5) by HWSTS calculation are eligible for transportation at this time.  If you live closer than that, please see the information about courtesy ridership, above.