August 18 School Update

August 18^, 2020

Dear Parents / Guardians,

We hope you are able to stay cool and enjoy this last kick at summer. We thank you for your patience as we have been working to finalize the details of our learning programs and protocols for a safe and successful school start-up. As I mentioned previously, our planning is guided by the following principles as we move forward – safety and wellness of our community and student learning. We have been planning our in school and at home learning educational programming based on the parent survey information that the Division has received and AHS guidelines. We also continue to plan for school routines and protocols around student movement, lunch, sanitizing and masks to ensure we are doing the best we can in this area. There will be more detailed information in a School Handbook that will be provided before the start of school. I would like to take some time to outline the main points of our return to school plan. Please note that many fine details are being worked out over these final two weeks. I thank you in advance for understanding there is still work to be done in these areas.

First off, thank you to all the parents that completed our survey. After follow up emails and calls, we have heard from almost all of our families. If we did not hear from you, your child has been placed in the at school learning program. It was necessary to know the numbers so that our staffing assignments and timetable along with class groupings could be re-shaped to meet the reality of both types of learning and the provision of cohort learning groups at school. I would like to thank my staff for their flexibility of stepping up to take on new assignments and think outside the box to create learning opportunities for our students. I would like to highlight the main features of each type of learning program below to give you a sense of what it will look like. I know there will be questions about the finer details and again appreciate your patience as we finalize these with all staff next week.

In-School Learning

• Students will have a 6 block day that consists of the 4 core classes, an Activity class and a PE/Movement/Health class in a cohort group that they will be with all day to limit contact
• There are no regular options in middle school across the Division to start the year. Each school is developing Activity blocks with different option-type experiences at each grade level for cohorts based on their own specific school situation
• Staffing of grade level and French Immersion is done with the cohort model in mind to keep teacher contacts to the smallest groups of students possible.
• Students will stay together for lunch, eat in their classroom and have specific areas for outside activity
• Lockers will not be used. Students will keep their jacket, backpack, lunch and learning materials at their desk. As a result, they are asked to just bring essential materials – please see the shortened supply list on our website. Gym strip will not be used
• Protocols will be in place for use of common materials such as library books, computers, PE equipment that include sanitizing and frequent cleaning
• Student movement, washroom, hallway, lunch activity and entry/exit protocol will be provided
• School will be open when the busses arrive at approximately 7:55 and will close 15 minutes after the end of the day bell to students for cleaning. We are working on a staggered drop off and pick up schedule and sites to help distance. We will have a homeroom period until classes start from 8:05-8:20to allow for this stagger – there will be more information to come
• The first class starts at 8:20 Monday to Friday. Dismissal times are Mon/Tues/Thur - 2:55, Wednesday – 2:00 (early dismissal for teacher collaborative time), Friday - 12:20. Please note the slight changes this year are due to bus pick up time changes
• There are no afterschool activities or sports in-school across the Division to start the school year. We are looking at some virtual after school opportunities for band and choir but a start date and structure has not been confirmed.

We will be having a staggered entry for in-school learning for the first day. Grade 6 ONLY will be attending on Tuesday Sept. 1. Grade 7/8 students will have their first day on Wednesday Sept. 2. More details about the structure of these days will be coming.

At-Home Learning

• Students have been placed in a grade level learning group and will have two teachers from our school delivering the core classes to them daily
• Students will be expected to utilize Microsoft Teams for their learning platform and have the required access to technology and internet
• Students will have scheduled class times for each subject and attendance will be taken
• Structure will include teacher lessons through Teams and videos as well as opportunities to chat with teachers through Teams
• Students will not be able to access teachers outside of prescribed class hours
• Students will be assessed through project work and testing where appropriate and grades will be assigned
• A PE/Health component will be offered as well – details TBD
• Students have committed to this program until the first pivot point in November

Please note that French Immersion students will receive some of their core programming in English as we are unable to accommodate the numbers with our French Immersion staffing. We are able to provide a daily French Language Arts class with teachers to maintain language and connection to the program and students will return to French Immersion programming when they return to in-school learning. We will be communicating these schedules to students closer to the start date of school. It is possible that at home learning activities may not start on the same date as in-school learning.

We appreciate your patience as we iron out the details and will have more details next week to send home. I would also like to remind you of the AHS directive to wear masks in common areas and anywhere else where social distancing is not possible. There will be a common message coming from the Division regarding the specifics of mask protocol. I realize that it is an area that carries many opinions and emotions. I just want to stress that we will follow all AHS guidelines and that we are a community whose main priority will be to reinforce the ways in which we take care of each other and the responsibilities that come with that. We know the challenges that are in front of all of us with our new normal but we will treat everyone with care and respect as we develop our routines and expectations of safety. As you know, Alberta Education has indicated that they will supply two masks for all staff and students. We have not seen them yet and as the start of school approaches, we ask that you make sure your child has a cloth or disposable mask for the first day.

Our office opens August 19^th for inquiries and registrations by phone only. We are happy to take your call or email if you need to talk to us. We also ask that you understand we are planning and preparing and may not be able to return a call immediately. As I stated earlier, we will be sending out more detailed information starting next week. I know there are more questions that people will have and we appreciate your patience. The start up has had its challenges and we continue to adjust to the changes that it brings. One thing that doesn’t change is the excitement and joy we feel in seeing our students and families again and building the connections with our community. Lastly, enjoy the final moments of summer and all they bring – be well.

Sincerely,

Darryl Christiansen - Principal