Chère Parents and Guardians,
We are so, so pleased to be reaching out to our Deep Cove Families to welcome you back to a new (albeit a bit different) school year. As you hopefully are enjoying these beautiful last days of summer, I am sure that many questions are swirling through your minds about the details of school start up. This document is intended to give you some valuable information about the start up procedures. As we navigate the next few months ( and possibly days and/or hours!), it is possible that the following information may need to change and adjust to be responsive to the circumstances. We are committed to ensuring that you have timely information about any changes that may need to be made.
First and foremost, we are very much looking forward to welcoming all students back to school! We do want to communicate as much information as possible about our planning process and to remind those who may not have attended in June, that due to this unprecedented situation, school will look a little bit different for students in September. However, despite some different safety guidelines and procedures, our school will be a great place to connect with friends, engage in learning and participate in some exciting new adventures.
We request that you read the information below very carefully as it is critical to ensure a safe and organized September for all. In addition to this email, any families who have a Kindergarten student entering this September, will receive additional information in regards to the CHANGE in TIMES AND DATES. Along with being posted here, on the PAC Facebook page and website, Gradual Entry Plans will be emailed to parents and guardians in a separate email.
School Start up: SEPTEMBER 8-11
Each student will attend an orientation in the first week on the following schedule:
Grade 1’s and 2’s : Thursday, September 10--8:40-10:10 am
Grade 3’s: Thursday, September 10--12:30-2:00 pm
Grade 4’s and 5’s: Friday, September 11--8:40-10:10 am
*Limited bus service will be provided only upon request for the orientation days. To request service, please email transportation@saanichschools.ca no later than September 2nd.
The purpose of the orientation day is to provide information about class placement and to review health and safety routines with students.
We ask that parents/guardians please drop off their children at one of the three designated entry spots ( Front Entrance from Parking Lot, Gate at West Saanich Cross Walk, drive through drop off on Clayton. These areas will be clearly marked. Staff will greet students at the three designated entry spots and escort them to their assigned cohort area.
For Health and Safety reasons, Parents/Guardians please remain off the school grounds once drop off is complete.
Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to posted start time - playgrounds will be closed before school on these two days in order to support Health and Safety routines.
Students do not need to bring supplies, backpacks or snacks during their orientation time on September 10/11.
Students will be dismissed through their assigned cohort area. This information will be confirmed and posted by September 10.
If you would like to meet with school staff, please make an appointment through the school office.
Full school days and bus service will begin on Monday, September 14. If needed, please ensure that you have registered for the bus through the Saanich Schools website.
Structure of the School Day
There will be no changes to the beginning and end of the school day from previous years. The school schedule will be available on the district and/or school website.
Students will remain with their assigned classroom for instructional time.
Classes will be connected to create a learning cohort of under 60 students and staff. (This may take place over subsequent days)
Recess and lunch breaks will be staggered to allow for greater distancing between cohorts. Play areas will be divided so that cohorts have separate spaces to enjoy their breaks.
If students are taught by a staff member outside of their cohort, PPE and/or physical distancing will be used
Health and Safety Routines
Administrative staff will share school specific Health and Safety routines and schedules with families as soon as they are finalized. Topics will include a Q and A type document and include such topics as:
Hand washing and hand sanitizing
Hallway movement directions and routines
Entering into different doors and/or staggered times
More information regarding daily health checks and other health and safety measures will be shared with families early next week
Coloured cohorts - why is my child wearing a coloured wrist band? For the initial few weeks, students will receive a coloured wrist band (similar to being at the waterslides or at an amusement park) to indicate which coloured cohort they are with. The purpose of this is to support everyone in ensuring that cohorts are clearly marked especially to ensure safe supervision on the playground.
Action Items for Parents
Review the above routines with your student
Notify the school by Friday, August 28th if you have an alternative plan for your student (i.e Distributed Learning)
If you require bus service for the orientation day (September 10/11) please contact transportation@saanichschools.ca by September 2nd.
We understand that the COVID pandemic has been extremely stressful for families and that there is significant apprehension regarding the start of school. We are committed to working alongside families and students to make this experience as positive and rewarding as possible. As always, we look forward to having students back at school learning and growing and having some fun along the way.
Sincerely
Shelley Hardcastle
Principal - Ecole Deep Cove