GPMS handbook 2020

August 25 Handbook Click Here to view

Dear Parents / Guardians,

I am sending out a short handbook that outlines the basics of the routines and protocols that we will be following for our return to school. We start back with our teaching staff today to prepare for students next week. Many of the routines for arrival and dismissal, lunch and school movement will be fine-tuned once we actually see what they look like. I encourage you to go through these items with your child to help prepare them as well. Just a reminder of the information that was sent home yesterday:

• Friday August 28 – you will receive an  email from one of your child’s teachers outlining where your child is to go on the first day and other pertinent information for the first day

In the meantime as you prepare for back to school, we are asking that you include non-medical surgical masks or disposable masks on your shopping list. We also ask you to only send the essentials such as a zip binder, a pencil case with basic supplies, lunch and a water bottle for the first days. If you wish to send a personal hand sanitizer for your child, that is your choice.

I would also like to clarify that we have programmed, planned and adjusted staffing assignments as a school and a Division based on the parent surveys for in school and at home learning. As a result, our programs are full and we are not able switch students over leading up to the start of school. As with other middle schools, our in school classes are at 30-33 students in English and around 25-27 for French Immersion. Due to staffing constraints and low French Immersion at home learning requests, the at home French Immersion students have been added to our English at home learning classes and will receive a French Language class to keep the French language connection. As a result, our at home learning classes are full at each grade level.

We will continue to prepare and plan this week for a successful and safe return to school for all of our students and staff. We thank you for your support in preparing your child for the fall and look forward to connecting with our students next week.

Sincerely,

Darryl Christiansen