Back to School 2021: Information for Parents

Back to School 2021: Information for Parents
Overview and Purpose
We are excited to welcome students back to learning in person on Wednesday, September 1st. This Back-
to-School Plan is an overview of our plans for a safe return to school. Please note these plans are subject
to change due to direction from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Alberta Education. It is based on
the best available information and conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan will evolve
and be adjusted as new information becomes available.
Guiding Principles

    •   The well-being of students and staff is our priority.
    •   Students will experience optimal learning.
    •   The Division will follow all health measures and guidelines established by Alberta Health
        Services and Alberta Education.
    •   Parents are the primary decision-makers for their child’s health and well-being.
    •   Staff will engage in professional collaborative learning.

Non-Medical Mask Use
The Division will follow direction given by the province.
           • Masking in schools is highly recommended for staff and students.
           • Masking on school buses is mandatory.

Health Screening
Anyone who will access the school for work or education, must self-screen for symptoms each day prior
to entering the school using the AHS COVID-19 Alberta Health Daily Checklist to determine if they are
fit to enter the building.
Responding to Illness
If a student is exhibiting core symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of sense of smell or
taste):
    •   Parents/guardians will be notified to pick up the student immediately.
    •   Students will wait in a designated isolation area for pick up.
    •   Return to school will be determined by the current AHS practice.
If a student is exhibiting other symptoms of illness:
    •   Parents/guardians will be notified.
    •   Depending on the symptom and severity, the student may need to go home.
    •   Return to school will be determined by the current AHS practice.
Chronic symptoms that can be explained by a pre-existing medical condition (asthma, allergies, etc.) may
be considered part of an individual’s baseline health status. If these symptoms do not change, the
individual can continue to attend school/work.

The following chart from AHS will be used to determine if a child needs to leave school immediately:

Visitors and Volunteers Entering the school
Parents and volunteers, are asked to book an appointment to speak to teachers and admin. We value these
connections, but we are balancing health practices with open building access.
    •   At this time parents are asked to remain outside the school for morning drop off and afternoon
        pick up. If you need to speak to office staff or teachers, please feel free to book an appointment
        at your convenience.
    •   Parents and guardians of children who have complex needs and require support to enter the
        building should contact Administration. Staff will work with them to develop a plan that is safe
        for both students and staff.
Q: Can I still drop off a forgotten backpack or lunch for my child?
A: Absolutely, please enter the school via the front doors and drop off the items with our office staff.
Items will be delivered, or your child can pick them up from the office.

School Bus Transportation
    •   Please ensure you have applied for your student’s bus pass if eligible. Apply Here
    •   It is mandatory for students to scan their bus pass when they enter and exit the bus. This includes
        the morning of September 1st.
    •   Bus passes can be picked up at the school office prior to the students' first day.
    •   Masking is mandatory on the bus.
    •   Students will be assigned seats. Students living in the same household should be seated together.
    •   Cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, window areas, and rails
        will be in place.

Supporting Optimal Learning in Homeroom Classrooms
Cohorting /Homerooms
Students will remain in homerooms or cohorts whenever possible balancing student instruction with safe
operations. Grade 7 and 8 students will have choice of options with students beyond their homeroom
cohort.
Shared use of materials will be limited to the greatest extent possible, balancing student instruction with
safe operations. For example, students within the same homeroom will not have shared personal school
supplies but may share class math manipulatives, science equipment or classroom library books.
Our Library will once again be open for students to use. We will have one cohort of students at a time in
the library.

Entering School Routines
All students will have an assigned door to use every time they enter and exit their school.
We ask that upon arrival students find their homeroom lines (see map below). Students will be entering
the building upon the first bell at 8:10am with their class.

    •   Please refrain from students arriving to school before 8:00am as there is no supervision outside
        the school.
    •   School staff will be stationed at the doors, in the boot rooms, in the hallways and the classrooms.
    •   Kindergarten students will be picked up at their bus and escorted to their designated doors.
    •   Hand sanitizing and hand washing will continue to be encouraged
    •   Students arriving to their designated door after 8:20am or being dropped off late will enter
        through the front doors and check in with the office before making their way to their class.
At this time parents will be required to remain outside the school for drop off. If you need to speak to
office staff or teachers, please feel free to book an appointment at your convenience.

Lunch
   •   Students are to have individual lunches; we will continue to not share food.
   •   Students will eat with their homeroom cohort.
   •   All students must wash their hands before and after eating.
   •   Nutrition Programs, and Canteens will continue to provide service.
   •   We are a closed campus during lunch. All students are required to eat at the school unless other
       arrangements have been made with parents and admin.

Exiting School Routines
Dismissal is at 3:10pm

   •   All students will exit the school through their designated door with their class at 3:10pm with the
       exception of grade 1. Grade 1 will exit the school through their designated door at 3:07pm to
       allow for the grade 7 & 8 to exit the same door at 3:10pm.
   •   Parents picking up their children can wait for them outside their designated door or at a pre-
       determined area on school grounds.
   •   Kindergarten and grade 1 students taking the bus will be escorted to their busses at the end of the
       day by a staff member.