Welcome Back to St. Mary from our Principal Mrs. Duane

Posted On Monday September 07, 2020
Mrs. Duane
Mrs. Duane

September 4, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We begin our 2020-2021 school year with anticipated excitement, yet aware that the September classes will look very different.  I understand the anxiety that you may feel regarding your child returning to school.  I want to assure you that we have taken the utmost care in ensuring that St. Mary continues to be a safe, welcoming, supportive environment.  This year, the theme for the DCDSB is appropriately, “The Year of Love”.

The St. Mary staff is looking forward to connecting with their students.  Teachers will be engaging with their students, virtually on Thursday, Sept 10th and Friday, September 11th.  These days will be an opportunity for your child to have an understanding of how the days and weeks will unfold as we engage in our learning.

We welcome our new administrative team to St. Mary. Our three Vice-Principals are John Neundorf, Shawnn O’Connor and Mary Polidano. 

The health and safety of students and staff is our priority and we are actively working with Durham Region’s Health Department to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our school. The following are some of the actions we are taking to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our school. Please review the enclosed information with your child, so that you are aware of the procedures that have been put in place to adhere to Public Health Recommendations.  

As well, please read the enclosed information regarding timetables, start and end times, safety procedures etc.

We know that students are eager to return to school life.  We continue to work in partnership with you to provide your child with optimal learning.

Masks

As you are aware, students in Grades 4-12 are required to wear a mask while in school. Students will have breaks throughout the day in order to remove their masks and our teachers will be utilizing our outdoor spaces for teaching when possible.

Screening and Symptoms

In order to protect the health and well-being of all our students and staff, you are asked to screen your child(ren) for symptoms of COVID-19 before they come to school.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 (PDF) include:

  • Fever (temperature of 37.8°C or greater)
  • New or worsening cough
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea) 

Other symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

  • Sore throat
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • New olfactory or taste disorder(s)
  • Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
  • Runny nose, or nasal congestion (in absence of underlying reasons for these symptoms such as seasonal allergies, post nasal drip, etc.)

You can use the Ministry of Health’s Ministry of Health’s Ontario COVID-19 self-assessment tool for this purpose. If your child has any symptoms of COVID-19 or if they are ill, they should not attend school. You should report your child(ren)’s absence from school by calling 1-844-288-7628.

Health and Safety
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 in our school, multiple measures have been implemented, these include:

  • enhanced cleaning and air ventilation in the school.
  • signage and reminders to physically distance and wash your hands
  • reducing the number of contacts among individuals in the school, including students, staff, and others.
  • visitors (eg. parents, guardians and community members) only allowed in the school by appointment.

Sick at School
Students who become ill during the day will be isolated and must be picked up from school as soon as possible. It’s important to note that symptomatic students will not be able to use student transportation.

If you’re worried your child or any member of your household has been exposed to COVID-19 or develops symptoms, please self-isolate and seek clinical assessment by:

  • Contacting Durham Health Connection Line 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729 and;
  • Completing the Lakeridge Health online assessment form at covidswab.lh.ca to get an appointment at the COVID-19 Assessment Clinic.

Note: The COVID-19 Assessment Clinic does not accept walk-ins.

How you can prepare your child?
Here are a few things that you can do to help your child transition back to school:

  • talk to your child(ren) about signage in stores that promote physical distancing
  • remind your child(ren) to wash their hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • sneeze and cough into your sleeve
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
  • avoid contact with people who are sick

Bell Times

Due to busing, our bell times have changed. We will be starting school at 10:00 a.m. and will be dismissed and bused home if you take transportation at 12:30 p.m. Online learning will continue in the afternoon following lunch at 2:00p.m. and will continue to 4:30 p.m.

Edsby

I recommend that students, parents and guardians access a recorded session explaining the Edsby platform. This session provides information on how to log in to Edsby, how to create an account and tips on how to navigate Edsby.  The session will be recorded and posted at www.dcdsb.ca/returntolearning.

Next Steps
During the week of September 8-11, students will participate in remote preparation for the return to in-class learning.

  • September 8-9, students will receive their timetables and staff will finalize and resolve any timetable conflicts.
  • Developing cohorts is a complex task, students will be informed of their cohort as soon as possible
  • September 10-11, teachers will connect with students virtually on Edsby for introductions and orientation.
  • Students and parents should ensure technology is in place in order to connect with teachers virtually.
  • Online assemblies by grade will be scheduled for students during the first few days of school. A video outlining key safety protocols for our return to school will be shared with students and families during the orientation days teachers have with students on Thursday, Sept 10th and Friday, September 11th. We will provide a link to this video through synervoice, Twitter and Edsby. A reminder, bus transportation provided by Durham Students Transportation Services will not be running this week.

The week of September 14-18, 2020, the adapted model for in-class learning begins.

  • In-class learning will begin Monday, September 14, 2020 in accordance with the adapted model and quadmester system.
  • Under this model, students will be assigned to either cohort A or B for the in-class portion of their learning.

o   Cohort A will attend Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays as indicated on calendar below.

o   Cohort B will attend Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays as indicated on calendar below.

  • Cohort A will attend school in person for 150 minutes on Monday, September 14, Wednesday, September 16 and Friday, September 18.
  • Cohort B will attend school in person for 150 minutes on Tuesday, September 15 and Thursday, September 17.

Thank you for your continued cooperation as we navigate these changes. We will notify you as information becomes available. If you have any questions, please contact our office.

Yours in faith,

Mrs. Susan Duane
Principal