Ridgemount Weekly Update – February 1 – 5, 2021
Ridgemount Families,
A reminder that remote at home learning has been extended until Wednesday February 10th, 2021.
This is a reminder about a decision families have made last week about their child’s education during this pandemic. We know it is even more challenging now as HWDSB is included in the remote learning extension which will go until February 10th, 2021. Please stay tuned for any updates on the return to school plan.
As communicated in our December update to families, we are moving forward with our elementary transition between remote and in-person learning on February 25. Based on this date and our previous commitment to a February transition, we are gathering the information now and will be in touch if your child is impacted by this.
At this time,families who wish to switch learning models between remote and in-person on February 25, must contact the school at (905 575 1535) as there is no guarantee that a switch can be accommodated.
Kindergarten families will be receiving the kindergarten Activities Calendar for the next 2 seeks from your shild’s teacher. If you require a hard copy of this calendar please contact the school and arrange a time to pick one up. In unique situations where Gr 1-8 students are unable to work remotely student work packages are available at the school. Please contact your child’s teacher first and then call the school to arrange a time to pick up the package.
If your device is not working properly please attempt to problem solve with your child’s teacher and if you are unable to resolve the issue contact the school. If charging cables and blocks are not working please contact the school and we will arrange a time for you to come and pick up a new one.
A reminder that our school day begins at 8:45 am and ends at 3:05 pm with some variations during remote learning depending on the class and teacher. If your child is having trouble completing assignments online please reach out to your child’s teacher and we will arrange an alternative method to support so that we can collect and assess student progress.
Please contact the school using SafeArrival to report the absence. If you require assistance accessing the SafeArrival app please contact the school at 905 575 1535
Pease ensure that you contact your child’s teacher if your child requires an iPad for at home learning. You may also contact the school at 905 575 1535 to request a device and we will do our best to get one for you.
Please be sure to have your child or children engage with their teacher daily by logging on for learning at 8:45am sharp each day. Students are expected to attend online, participate and complete assigned tasks. Students not attending or not completing assigned work will be marked absent and system will make a call out to all families to inform you of this. Pease ensure that you contact your child’s teacher if your child requires an iPad for at home learning. You may also contact the school at 905 575 1535 to request a device and we will do our best to get one for you.
The Elementary Remote Learning Program, and students already learning remotely, are not impacted by these changes.
The shift to remote learning does not change the school day or school schedules, but for many, it does require connecting in different ways to continue learning. We are implementing our remote learning plan that involves supports such as device deployment, virtual classroom guidelines, resources for students in special education and much more.
You can learn more about remote learning preparations at hwdsb.info/remote2021 and please reach out to your child’s school if you have questions.
We know that this period has been one of constant change and adjustment. Thank you for helping us ensure that learning continues across HWDSB.
We are planning to have a school photo day in February of 2021 and a Grade 8 Grad photo day soon after photo day, stay tuned!
Parking Lot and Pick Up and Drop Off
A reminder that for the safety of our staff and students, families will not be be permitted to enter the school parking lot throughout the school day. Families are asked to follow the parking signs posted on Ronaldshay and Hester streets and to ensure students safely enter the school using the sidewalks and the proper entrance by the portable. The parking bylaw officers have been patrolling and giving warnings that they will be ticketing those parked illegally in the upcoming weeks. Please do not park in our school bus loading zones (Along the west side of Ronaldshay beside the Kindergarten during entry in the mornings and at the front entrance on Hester at dismissal time).
Please be sure to wear masks when on or near the school premises especially during busy drop off and pick up times.
A reminder as the weather turns colder to ensure that students are wearing appropriate clothing (boots, gloves, hats, winter jackets). We are able to store winter clothing in lockers and be sure to label all clothing as due to covid restrictions there is no lost and found collection at Ridgemount. If valuable items are found they are turned into the office so please contact us if your child has lost something valuable. Clothing items found in classrooms, lockers or hallways will be gathered in a bag and after a short time disposed of or donated to a local charity.
Please be sure to wear masks when on or near the school premises especially during busy drop off and pick up times. We are also encouraging students to wear masks when outdoors at recess, especially when they are playing closer contact activities.. Students are still encouraged to social distance and there is plenty of space in each cohort year to remove themselves and take a mask break.
Thank you for keeping up with the communications coming from HWDSB, and for completing important forms, daily screening and reminding students of safety protocols as required. Please be sure to connect with your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns. A reminder to stay updated and informed please register for our website by logging on to www.hwdsb.on.ca/ridgemount/
Attestation and Attestation for Return to School Forms
Before a student can enter a school or after a student has been asked to self isolate for a period of time, we require that their family completes an attestation or attestation return to school form. Please be sure to read, and follow the instructions and abide by the expectations included on the forms. Find this on the Parent Portal. (Backup location for forms and translations or contact the school and we will assist you with locating the appropriate form.
If for any reason your child is instructed by Public Health to self isolate for a period of time parents/ guardians must review and complete the Attestation for retrun to school after illness OR self isolation form before their child can return to school. Please be sure to complete and return this form. The form can be found here:
Daily COVID-19 Screening and Absences
HWDSB COVID-19 Student Screening Checklist is to be completed daily before arriving at school. The checklist is found on the Parent Portal as well as on the HWDSB website. If you answered YES to any of the screening questions, or if you refuse to answer the questions, the student has failed the screening and must not attend school. The family should contact Public Health (905) 974-9848 or their family doctor for testing. If a student is tested for COVID-19, we would appreciate knowing the outcome of that test as soon as possible.
New routines and protocols
School operations are changing significantly to ensure that we can provide a safe learning environment for students. We are finishing school-specific protocols and expect to post these to our website or send out in school messenger in the days ahead. These will cover everything from parking lots, classroom set up, nutrition breaks, mandatory masks for students and more.
Water Bottles
Drinking fountains in all schools will be bagged and not used. Please be sure to send your child with a reusable water bottle so they stay hydrated, in addition to their non-medical mask.
Visiting Schools
This year, our school must significantly limit or even prohibit visitors to school, including parents, to support a safe and healthy learning environment. We ask families to call or email our school if they need to supply information or contact a staff member. Also, it is strongly recommended that parents do not drop off items during the school day.
A reminder that parents/guardians are asked not to bring in lunches throughout the day. Please ensure students have an adequate lunch for both nutrition breaks as we are limiting the number of visitors to the school.
Transportation
A reminder to all families using transportation to please sign up to the HWSTS parent portal https://www.hamiltonschoolbus.ca/parents/ so that you will be notified if the bus will be delayed longer than 10 minutes.
| Parent’s Portal – Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services
Thank you for visiting the HWSTS Parent Portal. We are pleased to offer this new information tool to provide parents / guardians of students enhanced information and features regarding their student transportation services. www.hamiltonschoolbus.ca |
Please be sure to contact the school if your child is eligible for busing but will not be riding the bus or if your child is only riding the bus one way so that the transportation department can plan accordingly. If you are picking your child up at the end of the day and they are students that normally take the bus you must go the front entrance of the school and buzz the office for assistance. Thank you.
Parking Lot and Pick Up and Drop Off
A reminder that for the safety of our staff and students, families will not be be permitted to enter the school parking lot throughout the school day. Families are asked to follow the parking signs posted on Ronaldshay and Hester streets and to ensure students safely enter the school using the sidewalks and the proper entrance by the portable. The parking bylaw officers have been patrolling and giving warnings that they will be ticketing those parked illegally in the upcoming weeks. Please do not park in our school bus loading zones (Along the west side of Ronaldshay beside the Kindergarten during entry in the mornings and at the front entrance on Hester at dismissal time).
Please be sure to wear masks when on or near the school premises especially during busy drop off and pick up times.
A reminder that there is no lost and found collection at Ridgemount this year due to covid restrictions. If valuable items are found they are turned into the office so please contact us if your child has lost something valuable. Clothing items will be gathered in a bag and after a short time disposed of or donated to a local charity.
Learn more about COVID-19 precautions at HWDSB at www.hwdsb.on.ca/covid19.
Have a gret week and stay healthy and safe,
Mr. G Carey – Principal
Updated on Sunday, January 31, 2021.