Update from Helen Detwiler / Welcome Back Part 2 :-)

Hello Helen Detwiler Community!

We are so excited to welcome everyone back to the building next week.  We wanted to provide you with a few updates to ensure we have a smooth and successful first week back.

1.  If you haven’t already done so, please review the Helen Detwiler Covid-19 Site Plan posted on this website (in the News section posted on September 2nd, 2020).
2. Staggered Entry will be in effect next week.  Monday, September 14th will welcome our students with the surname A-K only.  Tuesday, September 15th will welcome our students with the surname L-Z only.  Wednesday, September 16th is when we will see all families begin at Helen Detwiler.
3. On the first day(s) of school, we ask that all students meet on the back field in their designated Home Quads.  Educators will be outside to greet/guide students.  We kindly ask that parent(s)/guardian(s) remain off of the field as this will allow us to properly physically distance.  All visitors to the school must be wearing a face covering and all students are required to wear a face mask prior to entering the school.
4. Due to an early reorganization, class placements may have changed since the June Report Card.  You can see who your child’s teacher will be by accessing the Parent Portal.  Please note that the school organization may change again before October which could result in a different class placement for your child.  Our new staff list and the current class organization has been updated on our school website under the “Staff” page.
5. Lunches/Snacks – This year, we are really working towards a “Boomerang Lunch”.  As we are trying to limit the movement within the classrooms, we are asking that students bring home any leftovers/packaging/containers that they brought to school with them in the morning.  Access to the garbage can will be limited for food/packaging disposal.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
6. Busing:  As you may have heard, there will be no courtesy transportation being offered this school year.  Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services will be communicating with all families that are eligible for busing on Sunday, September 13th.  Please direct any transportation questions to the transportation department.
7. Bus Seat Assignments – In order to follow Public Health Guidelines, all students that take the bus will be assigned a seat.  The seating plan will be shared with students next week while at school.  We ask that all students follow the seating plan as assigned.
8. We kindly ask that students keep their personal belongings to a minimum when coming to school.  For example, please do not bring sport equipment such as basketballs/soccer balls/tennis balls as this equipment will not be used during Nutrition Break.  Classrooms will have access to equipment that they can use during DPA or Physical Education classes; however, equipment will NOT be permitted during Nutrition Break.  Classroom educators will share different types of games/activities that students can enjoy outside without the use of equipment.

We wish you all a wonderful startup!

Stay well,

Mr. Azzopardi and Ms. van der Put