Back To School Information Package

This Back to School Information Package for Parents and Students includes the following:

Updates from Director of Education & Chair of the Board 2

Steps We’re Taking to Create Safer School Environments 4

Back to School Plan Overview - Elementary (K-8) 7

Traditional Learning (in class) 7

Distance Learning (online) 9

Back to School Plan Overview - Secondary (9-12) 12

Traditional Learning (in class) 12

High School Distance Learning through our Virtual Academy 17

Students with Special Needs (K-12) 19

Revised August 26, 2020

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 5

1- Communicate with Stakeholders 7

2- Prepare the School Site 8

Background information 8

School signage and markings 8

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and non-medical masks 8

Hand cleaning 8

Plexiglass separation 9

Student privacy dividers 9

Ventilation 9

Thermal thermometers 9

Work/prep rooms 10

Outdoor space for recess 10

Isolation room/area 10

Playgrounds and play structures 10

Community Use of Schools 10

Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) 10

3- Prepare the Staff 11

Team approach 11

Illness 11

Screening procedures 11

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 11

Staff health and safety guidelines 12

Staff hygiene and routines 12

Hygiene instruction 12

Sharing of resources 12

Attendance 12

Doors 12

Outdoor and non-classroom space 13

Technology 13

Experiential courses 13

Social-Emotional Learning 13

Equity considerations 13

Racism and discrimination 14

Privacy 14

School and Board level support 14

Outbreaks and return to distance learning 14

Staff gatherings 14

Staff accommodations 15

Mentally Healthy Return to School Toolkit (links to be added by mid to late August) 15

4- Prepare for Students 16

Initial return 16

Communication 16

Letter to parents 16

Student reminders 17

Student illness and management of students with possible COVID-19 17

Students with health conditions 17

Curriculum instruction 18

Water bottles 18

Lockers and cubbies 18

Student transitions 18

Students with special needs and/or self-regulation needs 18

Developmental Education (DE) classrooms and students with significant health needs 18

Specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 19

System classes 19

Gifted program 19

International students 19

Sharing of resources 19

5- School Operations 20

Many alternate models considered 20

Additional support for high school students with special needs 20

Cohorts 20

Full attendance five days per week (Kindergarten to grade 8) 20

Sample elementary homeroom 21

K-8 full-time distance learning model 21

Adapted model for high school (grade 9 to 12) 22

Example of an adapted model for high school (grade 9 to 12) 23

Why was the adapted model changed? 24

A quadmester model for 9-12 students 25

Why not use a traditional Semester approach? 25

Avoiding large gatherings in high school 25

Other adapted models for high school that were not selected 25

Sample student daily timetable (Sept. 3 - Nov. 10) - Cohort A (half class) 26

Sample for students in the second half of the alpha list designated as Cohort B 27

High school distance learning through our Virtual Academy 28

Opting in or out of the Virtual Academy 28

Traditional high school vs adapted quadmester vs Virtual Academy? 28

High school teacher support in the Virtual Academy 28

Virtual Academy high school course selection 29

Change of Preference Form 29

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 29

Physical distancing breaches 29

School bus options and public transportation 29

Entry requirements 30

Visitors, volunteers and parent access 30

Attendance during the initial phase of return to school 30

Dismissal requirements 30

Washrooms 30

Lunch and cafeterias 31

Large group gatherings and assemblies 31

School hallways and stairways 31

Classroom setup 31

Kindergarten classrooms 32

Classroom carpets 32

Class rotation 32

Technology 32

School supplies and equipment 33

Fire drills 33

Lockdown drills 33

Sharing of learning materials with each cohort 33

Curriculum and assessment 33

Submitting assignments 33

Opportunity for impactful reform 34

Distance learning and global competencies 34

Physical Education, Science, The Arts, and Technology-based courses 34

Music 34

Learning commons (library) 35

Sports – intramurals and interscholastic games 35

Fitness rooms and equipment 35

Field trips 35

Contactless payments 35

Breakfast programs 35

After school activities 36

If only half the class can be at school each day in high school, how will you teach my child on days when they’re not at school? 36

How will my child with an individualized education plan (IEP) be supported when they do not take part in face to face instruction? 36

How will the Board meet the teacher collective agreement since teachers are entitled to preparation and planning time and can’t be expected to be face-to-face and support students online for 5 hours per day in a high school environment? 36

6- Hygiene and Cleaning 36

Hand washing 37

Touchpoint cleaning 37

Special attention 37

Cleaning products 37

Student desks, chairs, and tables 38

Atomizer machine 38

Water fountains 38

Garbage and recycling 38

Resources referenced 38