Dolphin Delivery – September 2 ,2020
Chere Parents, Guardians and Students,
Apologies all! I miss posted the orientation times in yesterday's message to families. (I am blaming that on a long, cross-eyed day!). Please note that the times are as originally posted on August 26 - I have made the correction in my message sent yesterday, in red, below. Again - my apologies for any mix ups this may have caused!
There have been a wide variety of information bulletins from the Provincial Government as well as the District outlining plans for returning to school for students. We are working hard as a District and School to be ready to welcome students back and to help everyone feel comfortable and safe as they reconnect with staff and their friends, in the best way possible. Thanks to you for having patience as we navigate these complex days. We realize that September may look different for you and your families and we would like to share some start up information that could be helpful to easing the wonders about the coming days. In addition to our school specific updates, you may be interested in reading the SD63 Website that features information in regard to frequently asked start up questions:
Q and A Frequently Asked Questions re: School Start Up
School Start Up Schedule
( *The start up schedule is subject to change depending on new directives from the Ministry of Education. )
A reminder of the following:
Tuesday & Wednesday, September 8 - 9 - Staff Only
Thursday, September 10 - Student Orientation
Grade 1 and 2 ONLY 8:40 - 10:10 am
Grade 3 ONLY 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Friday, September 11 - Student Orientation
Grade 4 and 5 - 8:40 - 10:10 am
Kindergarten Gradual Entry Day 1 Rotation Schedule
Monday, September 14 -
Regular School Schedule Grades 1 - 5
Kindergarten Gradual Entry Day 2 Rotation Schedule
Tuesday September 15
Regular School Schedule Grades 1 - 5
Kindergarten Gradual Entry Day 3 Rotation Schedule
Wednesday-Thursday September 16-17
Regular School Schedule Grades 1 - 5
Kindergarten - 8:40 - 11:14
Friday September 18 - All grades regular schedule 8:40-2:48
Important DROP OFF and PICK UP Information.
School Entry Process - Drop Off
Students will access the school grounds through one of three Entrance Points (these will be clearly marked)
Staff will greet students as they are dropped off by parents and/or the bus and escorted onto the school grounds to the sign in tables.
We ask that parents do not enter the school grounds at drop off time
Students will then receive their Cohort Colour Bracelet (*see below) and be escorted to their cohorts by school staff.
Classroom teachers will welcome students, take them into their new class and review initial Health and Safety procedures with the group.
Picking up students:
Students will be dismissed by their teachers, at their colour cohort area. These areas will be marked clearly on the perimeter fence. Maps of these will be posted to easily identify pick up areas and staff will help with this transition. There will be help to figure this out!
Parents/Guardians meet their children at these designated pick up spots. We ask that families, or whoever will pick up students, stay within 6 feet of the exterior perimeter fence (this means that people enter the school grounds for safety of all non school personnel remain close to the perimeter of the school grounds. While in this area, there is a potential for multiple people so Parents are asked to follow safe distancing protocols and help remind their children of this as well as they exit the school grounds.
For now, playing on the playground directly before and after school is discouraged but we will reevaluate this as we work through the next few weeks.
Any adjustments to this plan will be communicated to families.
Health and Safety
The District and School Health and Safety committees have been meeting regularly to develop processes and procedures for staff, students and families. Instructions/overviews of safety procedures are being shared over the next days with all members of our community. The safety and well-being of students, families and staff is our greatest priority. Staff in our schools are committed to support students and families through the upcoming transition. Here is an important starting point:
Daily health check sheets will be provided to staff and parents
Staff and Parents must perform daily health checks (although the form does not need to be submitted daily)
Families will receive 2 copies of the daily Health Check Form on the Orientation Day. Families need to sign and return one copy of the Health Check Form to the classroom teacher on Monday, September 14 to demonstrate understanding of the process. The second second copy is to be kept at home (maybe on the fridge??) so that parents can perform a daily Health Check on each child prior to sending them to school each school.
We encourage you to have a discussion with your child(ren) around the transition process back into school. Please share and discuss:
What it will look like when they arrive at school for their scheduled orientation
Please discuss with your child how you would like them to approach the use of masks . If you are encouraging mask use, please go through the appropriate steps for putting on and removing masks effectively (see attached poster )
The current government mandate does not require the wearing of masks in Elementary Schools and/or cohort groups. It does not require the wearing of masks outside of cohort groups unless it is impossible to maintain social distancing - such as high traffic areas
In addition to the health and safety information above, there will be a number of other details shared with students during their Orientation Day. Naturally there will be multiple reminders and time to practise during our first few days and weeks of together. Please check the District website and the Deep Cove website for additional Health and Safety updates that will be posted periodically.
**Cohort Coloured Bracelets
To start the year, students will receive a coloured wristband (something like those used at the Saanichton Fair) to identify their Cohort Group. This will also help all staff and other students, quickly identify members within (or outside of) learning cohorts. We will evaluate the length that we need to continue this process and adjust as necessary.
Stay tuned for more information and updates.
Although this is SO much information and so NOT a typical school start up, we really and truly can't wait to see you and to get into the routines of a new school year. How many more sleeps?
Sincerely,Shelley Hardcastle
Prinicpal Ecole Deep Cove