September 3rd, 2021
Dear Families of St. Michael Academy,
Welcome to all our new and returning students and families. I hope that you are all well and are preparing to enjoy the long weekend.
With the first day of school just around the corner rest assured that our staff are working to prepare for your child’s safe return to school. We recognize that this will be the first time in a long time that we will be together as a community. Our priority is to keep your child(ren) safe and to continue to monitor the mental health and wellbeing of our students and community. We know that there may be some challenges, changes and perhaps some uncertainty. Together we will “Rebuild, Restore and Renew!” We wish all of our students, whether returning in person or remotely a successful, healthy and happy school year!
I encourage you to continue to visit ycdsb.ca “Re-Entry” plans for updates and resources. Please visit our school website: sml.ycdsb.ca and twitter: @smlycdsb
Thank you for your patience and support.
Enjoy the long weekend with your families. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Dayna Fitzpatrick
Principal
Please review the following with your families.
We are continuing to create balanced classes. At this time, we are unable to communicate your child’s class/teacher. If we are able to complete this next week I will send it out to our families.
Elementary Start Dates
WEDNESDAY September 8: JK/SK Kindergarten to Grade 8
First Day Procedures:
- Routine self-screening for all staff and students is required every morning before coming to school
- Self-assessment must be conducted by all students (supported by parents). Please refer to the ycdsb.ca Re-Entry Plan for further details
- Any student experiencing Covid 19 symptoms must remain home
- Where possible, students must maintain a physical distance at all times, as they enter, move through and exit the building
- Students in Grade 1– Grade 8 must wear their masks while in school
- Students in Kindergarten are strongly encouraged to wear masks while in school.
September 8-until further notice: All Students please arrive as close to 9:00 am as possible, and enter the building.
*All of our students will be taught to line up, use an arm span to keep a safe distance, as well as the proper direction to enter and exit the building
*Please park your car in the church parking lot. Please do not park in the Kiss & Ride designated area. This is a ‘drop off’ area only. For everyone’s safety please have your child exit out of the right side of the vehicle and onto the pathway.
*Walk your child to the school yard area and direct your child into the school building. Kindergarten students will go to the Kindergarten fenced area.
*In order to promote physical distancing and to ensure the safe arrival of your child, parents are being asked to leave the school yard area once your child is inside the school.
*A reminder that parent(s) / visitors will not be permitted into the building. If you require assistance, please call the office.
*Students in Grade 1-8 will come into the building (as if it were inclement weather). The Intermediate doors (closest to the parking area/church) and the Primary Doors (backyard) will be open and staff will guide your child. Once inside students will be met by a teacher who will direct them to their classroom and classroom teacher.
*All Students will be taught recess yard boundaries and where to line up.
Recess, Snacks and Lunch
*we are encouraging the use of outdoor spaces for learning and daily physical activity as much as possible throughout the day
*there will be no ball activity in the school yard until further notice. Many of our students will need time to assimilate back into the school yard, adapt to sensory, familiarize themselves with boundaries, meet new friends and socialize with their peers. With all of our students being together for the first time in a long time our priority will be student safety and well-being.
Change of bell times: Beginning September 8th, 2021 our Board will be universalizing the bell times for all elementary schools. This means that the increments of uninterrupted time allocated to instruction throughout the day will now be the same for all schools. It is important to emphasize that the existing start times associated with each school will continue to be the same.
Beginning Bell: 9:00 am
Recess: 10:20 am-10:35 am (students outside)
Lunch: 11:55 am-12:15 pm (students eat their lunch in their classrooms, 12:15 pm-12:35 pm (students outside), 12:35 pm -12:55 pm (students outside)
Recess: 2:15 pm-2:30 pm (students outside)
Dismissal: 3:30 pm
When students in Grade 1-8 go outside for recess, they must wear their mask when walking in the halls and then can take it off when outside. Students can either put their mask in their pocket, on their arm or alternatively in a fanny pack. Please discuss the best way for your child to store his/her mask while at recess. Practicing this at home with your child is helpful so that they can confidently and independently do this at school. Please send 2-3 extra masks with your child to school. If their mask falls on the ground or becomes dirty, then they can easily switch to a fresh new mask.
School Yard Boundaries and Lines:
-the school yard will be divided into 2 sections Upper Area (closest to the tennis courts and the Lower Area (closest to the primary doors)
-Grade 6-8 will be in the Upper Area
-Grade 1-5 will be in the Lower Area
-lines/dots will be displayed on the pavement were students line up to assist with physical distancing in line and with organization into the school. Teachers will review this with their students
Our Kindergarten classes have their own fenced in yard and washroom and therefore are not a part of the whole school recess. The Kindergarten schedule will be provided by the classroom teacher.
Organization
*Students will be using hooks to hang their bags and jackets. Students each have their own desk where they can store their required materials. They will store their notebooks, and personal supplies in their desk and leave all of it at school, unless needed for homework.
*students are encouraged to bring 2 pairs (indoor/outdoor) of non-marking running shoes. These will be kept at school
Hand Washing Routines:
*hand-washing routines will be emphasized and taught
*classrooms with sinks will have soap and paper towels, spaces without a sink will have a hand sanitizer station, students can also bring in hand sanitizer (non-scented is preferred)
*students will wash/sanitize their hands when entering and exiting the school/classroom, before and after eating and after using the washroom
Snacks, Lunches and Reusable Water Bottles
*We promote healthy eating and encourage students to eat a healthy choice for their first snack. Please do not send any food containing or that may contain nuts as we are a nut safe school.
*Please send a reusable water bottle to use at the re-filling stations with your child every day to school. All water fountains will be closed.
*at this time there is no lunch or milk program
*students will eat their snacks and lunches at their own desks in their classrooms
*parents are not to drop off lunches
Classroom Items:
*classroom teachers will communicate items suggested for their class
Washrooms:
*each of our washrooms has a maximum capacity of 2, all signage has been posted as a reminder for students
*if the maximum is reached, students will wait (2 at a time) in the designated space outside of the washroom
Gym:
*gym schedules will follow in the next couple of weeks, as much as possible we are encouraging teachers and students to be outside
*it is very difficult to ensure physical distancing while in the change rooms therefore we are suggesting that students in the Junior to Intermediate grades (Primary students do not change for gym) wear ‘comfortable’ clothing on their gym days, no jeans, appropriate attire, teachers will discuss this further with classes. Change rooms will remain closed until further notice.
What to Bring
*you are encouraged to provide 2-3 masks per day in case one becomes soiled/lost-please select a mask that is appropriate (solid colour is preferable, no inappropriate messages or pictures)
*a small box of activities for use at desk during inclement weather. This box needs to be labeled with your child’s name, it can be kept in the class and will be sent home on Friday to clean and replenish. Suggestions for the box may include: cards (solitaire), journal, word search, crayons, markers, small puzzle, books, etc.,
Safe Space
We recognize that for some students there may be times when they may feel anxious, need a break or may be feeling overwhelmed throughout the day. We have created ‘safe spaces’ in our school. Please discuss this with your child, we will too, so that they know where to go and what to do if they need assistance.
Safe Space One: First Floor ‘the office’
Safe Space Two: Second Floor Ms. Rossy’s Room, ‘the resource room’
Together we will “Rebuild, Restore and Renew!” We wish all of our students, whether returning in person or remotely a successful, healthy and happy school year!