Principal’s Message – October 2020

Welcome to October! 

I’d like to start with a Big Thank You to staff, students and families for adjusting to all the new Entry and Exit protocols for Norwood Park and supporting the protocols designed on our 3 D’s: distancing, disinfecting and don’t share.  

I would also like to thank our parents and families for responding to our parent feedback survey. We had over 100 responses and we will be using this feedback going forward.  

As a school this week we enjoyed the Terry Fox run this month and have been learning about Orange Shirt Day. 

Arrival/Exit Information: 

In the morning we have been using the field for line ups.  In the event of inclement weather students will enter the building directly and proceed to their classrooms (a reminder students only can enter the school). If raining, the parking lot door, the primary door off Terrace (next to the portables) and the Primary entrance door (off tarmac) will be open and staffed.  

Now that we have established the field area for nutrition breaks, in the coming weeks we will be moving to morning line ups and dismissing on the blacktop starting Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The lines will be spray painted with class numbers. We are changing the line areas to adjust to the changing season of weather. 

Please note the black top lines will be listed in a row from grade 1 – 8.  

Portable lines are on the blacktop by the portables.  

Families please continue to keep social distance during drop off and pick up- if possible one adult only for drop off and pick up on school property. Please ensure you are wearing a mask as well. 

Transition Date Change: 

On Sept. 30th Family Update #26 was shared to families by HWDSB. Please review this carefully. Please note the transition date change from Oct. 13th to Nov 3rd. Starting Monday October 5th families can request to CHANGE their child from remote to in person or in person to remote. If no change is needed, then no action is required on your part. The deadline for submission is midnight Oct. 12th, 2020. 

If you continue to have issues with the Parent Portal, please call the school office for support 905 575 9808. 

Entering Absences: 

Thank you for continuing to enter your child’s absences in Safe Arrival. Please continue to report all absences, including late arrivals or early departures through the software or phone number. There are 3 ways to enter your child’s absence: through your browser on your laptop or mobile device by visiting https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/home, by using the School Messenger App or by phone: 1-844-506-4350. 

For more information about Safe Arrival, including parent guides and helpful tips, visit https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/secondary/supports/safearrival/.