Principal Laine’s Weekly Newsletter

Dear Families,

I hope you are all doing well.

There is a lot of information in this email so I encourage you to read until the end.

Here are some updates and important back-to-school information:

Return to School Information

• Please refer to the attached letter from the WQSB
• Our students are required to wear masks at all times at school and on the school bus (with the exception of when they are eating and drinking – at which time they must be seated)
• Students will be assigned seats on the bus – we will do this during the first few days of school
• There are no physical distancing rules for students
• Students may remove their masks when outside or when participating in a physical education class inside or outside of the gym
• Parents may apply for a medical exemption for onsite learning (information attached)

Symptom Health Protocols

Please refer to the following attachments:

• Covid-19 Symptom Health Protocol
• Covid-19 follow-up reminders for parents
• Attestation for return to school
• Please do not send your child to school if they are experiencing any of the symptoms described

First Days of School

• Monday August 30^th – grade 8, 9 & PY1 students attend – other grades stay home
• Tuesday August 31^st – grades 7, 10, 11, PY2 & PY3 students attend – other grades stay home
• Symmes students enter through cafeteria doors
• D’Arcy students enter through the gym door in the D’Arcy parking lot
• We ask that you please drop students off at the main entrance and not in the parking lot.  Students can walk down the path to their entrance point.
• Once students enter, they will be directed to the appropriate tables to collect their timetables and locker information (please send your child with a lock)
• Students must be wearing a medical mask and will receive hand sanitizer upon entry
• After students pick up their schedules, they will be directed to their classes where their first period teacher will greet them
• Wednesday September 1^st – all grades attend school (reminder that on Wednesdays, buses depart at 1:30pm

Transportation Information

• Bus information has been loaded into the Parent Portal
• This information will be available until Sunday August 29^th

Designated Entry Points

• Starting on September 1^st, each grade level will have designated entry points to the school where they will receive hand sanitizer – we will review these entry points with the students during opening days
• Students will be allowed to enter the building starting at 8:45am
• Grade 7 = Cafeteria Doors
• Grade 8 = Cafeteria Doors
• Grade 9 = Doors by the auditorium near the Symmes staff parking lot
• Grade 10 = Doors by the back D’Arcy staff parking lot
• Grade 11 = Doors by the back D’Arcy staff parking lot

Cafeteria Services

• Students will be able to purchase their lunch in the cafeteria this year (starting on August 30^th)
• Students will be required to be masked when they enter the cafeteria and may ONLY remove their masks when they are SEATED and EATING/DRINKING
• There will be a lot of supervision in the cafeteria to ensure that students are following these safety protocols
• Students may also choose to bring their lunch outside to eat or to walk to local establishments to purchase their lunch

School Library

• Students will once again be able to use the library!
• The library will officially open on September 7^th

Extra-Curricular Activities

• We are once again able to organize extra-curricular activities for our students
• The start-up of these activities will be slightly delayed as we wait on clear instructions/plans from the Province regarding mandatory vaccines for participation
• If your child is interested in participating in athletics this year, please complete the following short survey to help us plan:

https://forms.office.com/r/aytVHC7rAn

Vaccination Update

• We continue to wait for more information regarding our partnership with Public Health to support student vaccinations
• We will let our community know as soon as we find out
• Currently, 82% of our student population has received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine
• Please remember that you do not have to wait for the school to transport your child to a vaccination clinic – you can visit https://portal3.clicsante.ca/ to book an appointment

Upcoming Workshops

Please refer to the attached fliers for the following upcoming workshops hosted by Connexions:

• Cooking for Families
• Reducing Anxiety and Finding Inner Balance

Thank you for making it all the way to the end of this emailJ

Our teachers and support staff have been working hard these past few days to get ready for your children.  We are so excited about this school year!

Take care and have a nice weekend.

Tara Laine

Principal

D’Arcy McGee High School ~ Symmes Junior High School

819-684-7472 x 437001