We know that school at WCI will look a lot different this year. At WCI, we have undergone significant change to help support our commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing. Every facet of our system has been examined and re-imagined to prioritize the safety of all those who enter our building and to ensure that Human Rights and Equity is at the forefront of everything we do.
We want all of our families to know that they are a valued partner in their child’s education and we will be making every effort to stay connected as the year unfolds.
We have tried to compile all the WCI specific return to school information we can share at this time in this FAQ doc. This is a living document so we encourage you to reference this document on an ongoing basis as it is subject to change based on evolving COVID-19 information.
Returning to School: A Guide for Families
Students will have two classes per day and will rotate between their four classes weekly.
8:00 AM Doors Open
8:15-10:45 AM Morning Class
10:45-11:25 AM Lunch
11:25-1:55 Pm Afternoon Class
All WRDSB staff and students are required to complete a daily COVID-19 Self Assessment Screening (Self Screening Tool). If one or more signs or symptoms exist, students should not attend school. Families should contact the Region of Waterloo Public Health Assessment Centre or a Health Care Provider for guidance about return to school.
WCI Students will not be permitted to enter the school building until 8:00 am when doors will be unlocked for student entry. Students should dress appropriately for the weather each day, as there may be varying wait times outside as we work to move students safely into the building to begin the school day.
Students must be wearing a mask in order to gain entry into the building. If a student forgets their mask, staff will supply one for them at their designated entrance to the school.
Upon entering the building students must sanitize their hands at the sanitation checkpoint following proper sanitation procedure.
When a student is masked and has sanitized their hands they may proceed directly to their classroom via the designated route.
Students should practice social distancing and follow all posted signage/floor markings as they move through the halls. Congregating and socializing in the hallways is not permitted at this time.
A student's entrance will depend on where their class is that day as entrances are designated by classroom location. At the beginning and end of each day a stairwell may be a different direction to facilitate spreading students out.
Class Numbers Entry Door(s)
Portables Portables
Upper 200s, Phys. Ed classes Tennis Court
100s, Lower 200s (200-218) Portable 9 Doors
Lower 300s (321-326), Lower 400s (418-424) Portable 2 Doors
Upper 300s (300-316), Upper 400s, ACE Drama Room Doors
Bridges Bridges Entry
Classes will be dismissed at the bell and will exit the building the same way using the same door they entered. Students will continue to socially distance as they make their way through the halls and out the door.
All WCI washrooms are back up and running
Students will fill out the CLASSPASS form to exit their classroom
To reduce numbers and encourage social distancing some stalls will be marked, Do NOT Use - please do not use them. If there is not a stall available in the washroom please wait outside
Students will eat lunch in their classroom with their morning class to ensure chances of contact and transmission are minimized. Students should bring food in their own containers and take those containers home with them at the end of the day. Food, drinks, dishes and cutlery are not to be shared by students. Students will not have access to microwaves.
Students will perform hand hygiene prior to and after eating. Students should take home all food waste and containers at the end of each school day.
Nutrition for Learning will be available as prepackaged snacks for students each day upon entry into the school.
If a student must leave during nutrition break they may. Students will regain entry to the building at the start of the afternoon session. So be mindful of the weather.
Staff are available in the hallways if there is a concern. For students who leave the building at lunch you will be able to get emergency assistance at the Tennis Court Doors. Re-entry will happen at the Tennis Court Doors at 11:20 AM (when a bell sounds).
Students are required to bring their own water bottles. Water fountains will not be available for use; however, no-touch, bottle-filling stations can be used to fill individual water bottles.
If a student arrives after 8:20 am and the doors are locked they should proceed to the main entrance of the school and call the late number provided.
Students are encouraged to schedule appointments outside of the school day. Students who must leave the school during the day should have their parents call or email the main office ahead of time, and then use ClassPass to sign out.
Students who exhibit symptoms of illness while at school will not be permitted to enter or stay in their classroom, and will be moved to a designated waiting area. Parents, guardians, and/or emergency contacts designated by the family, will be called immediately and asked to pick up their child as soon as possible.
Parents and guardians will not be allowed to enter the building, including to sign-out students for appointments, to talk to a staff member, or to drop off forgotten items. In extenuating circumstances, if approval to enter the school is granted by an administrator, a face covering must be worn before entering the school and the School screening must be completed.
Due to construction Hazel street will not be available for drop-offs. The drop-off areas include Hazel St. North of Columbia, Spruce Street and Hickory. Cars are not permitted to enter the Columbia St Entrance.
Students who drive may park in the lower parking lot.
Students can entry the property by foot from the Hickory St. Walkway and the Columbia St Entrance.
Parents and guardians must remain outside the school (preferably in their vehicles) when they drop-off or pick-up their children, and should not be congregating anywhere on school property.
Until the front of the construction is complete there is no bike racks/areas to keep your bike safe. Students who will regularly cycle are asked to take an alternative means of transportation. This is expected to last less than 2 weeks.
We know that parents have a lot of questions about the upcoming school year and we also know that schools and classrooms will look different when we return. The health and safety of students and staff is our top priority as we prepare for the upcoming school year. We will have increased health and safety measures that operate in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Public Health requirements.
Mask use or face coverings will be mandatory for all WCI students. Students may wear their own, or school-provided, non-medical masks. It is important that the mask fits properly and covers both the nose and mouth and that all best practices are followed when wearing and removing the mask. Masks may be removed to eat lunch but should immediately be replaced.
When students are outside they may take their masks off but are required to remain socially distant.
Appropriate signage will be posted throughout our school and hand sanitizer will be available in classrooms and offices. Our school buses and classrooms will be thoroughly and frequently cleaned. In addition, WCI will have designated entrances and exits. Stairwells will be designated for one-way flow and physical distance reminders will be placed throughout the building. Health and safety is at the heart of every element of our return to school planning.
Staff and educators will regularly remind students of the importance of proper hand hygiene and assist students as needed. Staff will also incorporate frequent hand hygiene into their daily classroom routines. Signs will be posted at all sinks to remind students of proper hand washing techniques. In addition, signs will be placed throughout the school to indicate the nearest hand washing facility. Students MUST perform hand hygeine:
when they arrive at school and before they go home;
before eating and drinking;
after using the washroom;
after sneezing or coughing into hands or tissue.
after using any common supplies, equipment or devices
whenever hands are visibly dirty;
when moving between different learning environments or centres(e.g., outdoor-indoor transitions)
It is important to try and maintain as much distance as is possible between yourself and other people whenever you are travelling in the school or in the community. Many classrooms and school procedures have been put in place to support physical distancing of staff and students.
Students are required to comply with all physical distancing measures that include, but are not limited to:
Use of specific entrances and exits (both into and out of the school and classroom)
No use of lockers at this time - students to carry their belongings with them to class
Seating plans.
Minimizing the number of students in hallways and washrooms.
Virtual meetings whenever possible (e.g. guidance counsellor).
Students are not permitted to congregate in hallways, common spaces, or washrooms. Students should follow physical distancing cues - floor markings and signs - when lining up to use facilities.
Lockers will not be available for student use at the start of the school year. Students will be required to limit the number of items they bring to school. Students should leave valuable items at home. The school is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
No smoking or vaping (use of e-cigarettes) in the school building or on school property; it’s the law. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in a school suspension and/or a fine issued by the Waterloo Region By-Law Office. Due to strict supervision requirements students will not be able to smoke or vape during the day while at school.
The purchase and issuing of student cards for the 2021-2022 school year will be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions until public health and the WRDSB have provided clearance for student activities, clubs and athletics to resume in person.
Student Photos & Grad Photos for the 2021-2022 school year will be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions until public health and the WRDSB provide clearance for these services to resume.
At this time in person clubs, committees and extracurricular activities will not permitted to run due to Covid-19 restrictions. There will be an online Club Fair later this month to help you find your club.
Yearbook
The 2020-2022 school year book will be delivered to students who purchased one later this fall.
Website- https://wci.wrdsb.ca/
School Day- https://www.wrdsb.ca/our-schools/using-school-day/#signup