VOYAGEURS ARE
Safe, Respectful &
Do their Personal Best |
Safe, Respectful &
Do their Personal Best |
We find ourselves in a most precarious situation of navigating code orange in school and code red at home and in our personal lives. We understand the challenges this may present to families, and the difficult decisions to be made with regards to your children's education. We are grateful to you for your support, your understanding, and your unwavering commitment to the well being of our school community. We have pulled together to support and uphold provincial guidelines , which has successfully contributed to the safety of our children when at school. As things evolve and the pandemic circumstances change, we will continue to adapt and forge through the challenges. Now more than ever, school and home will need to work together to maintain the quality education our students deserve. With the resiliency and strength of the Voyageurs , we will make it through these tough times together. School staff are making preparations in the event the school be mandated to move to a Response Level Red. During code RED, all students of grades K to 8 at ÉSMS would move to remote learning, whether learning from home or from within the school (for children of essential & critical workers). For all students, our goal is to maintain a connection to their teacher(s) and with classmates while engaging in remote learning. This may look different depending on the age/grade of your child. As per provincial requirements, grade 7 and 8 students would all be moved to remote learning from home. Students from grades K-6 would be either learning remotely at home or from within the school. Remote learning involves both a live online component for students as well as independent work time. It is expected that students be actively engaged in learning for a period of 2 to 4.5 hours per day depending on the age of the student. Learning will focus on languages, mathematics, sciences, and social studies. To the extent possible, we will continue to integrate physical education and art into remote learning. Teachers will remain with their current students whenever possible; support staff will also continue to have an active role in supporting students. During code RED, school processes for students within the school building, whenever possible, will match those of Response Level Orange: cohort entrances, staggered breaks, school zones, and safety guidelines will remain in place. The school division recently sent a survey to all families to identify children of essential workers followed by a Critical Service Workers Request form needing to be completed by November 26th. This information will assist the school in its Response Level Red planning. To further help the school with its planning, we have prepared a short survey for families to complete to let us know their child's tech learning needs. Please click on the picture to the right to access the survey. We are asking all families to complete the survey by Sunday November 29th. To the extent possible, families will be asked to provide a learning device for their child, whether learning at school or from home. The completed Response Level Red plan will be shared with families once details have been finalized. Whether in person or online, we are here to support families in their child's learning. We are grateful for your understanding and support again during these unprecedented times. DESKS HAVE ARRIVED! LAPTOPS ON THEIR WAY!Our new desks have finally arrived, and students are thoroughly enjoying their new learning & work spaces. We have now equipped all classrooms with the necessary number of desks needed for each student. We have also purchased Chromebooks to support our grade 3 to 7 learners and are patiently awaiting their arrival, scheduled within the next week or so. END OF DAY DISMISSAL FOR NON BUSSED STUDENTSWe have observed an increase in congestion during the end of day dismissal, particularly during the dismissal of non-bussed students. To help maintain the safety of our school community, we will be reviewing and practicing specific dismissal procedures. This will include maintaining the two meter guideline, using the crosswalks, and wearing masks. We are asking all family members waiting on the school grounds or nearby to pick up their child, like the sidewalk along the front of the school, the gate entrance near the K-1/2 cohort door, and the Maternelle cohort door, to please where a mask during this time. USE OF CROSSWALKS We would like to encourage parents to model the use of crosswalks with their children during dismissal time. This ensures the safety of all pedestrians during a busy time of day on main street. We'd like to thank families who are supporting mask guidelines while on school property . We truly appreciate your support in maintaining the safety and wellbeing of our school family. STUDENTS EXPRESSING GRATITUDES TO ESSENTIAL WORKERSThe grade 3&4 students in Mme Michelle's class have taken their daily practice of gratitude out into the community. Wanting to do something meaningful to recognize and thank essential workers, these grade 3&4 students have spent the past week carefully composing letters to essential and critical workers in our local communities. The classroom assembled a list of essential worker jobs; these varied from police officers, to pharmacists, social workers, paramedics, fire fighters, farmers, teachers, and even our Canadian Prime Minister! With the help of school staff, local community members holding these jobs were identified, then each student selected a recipient to write to. Students crafted their messages of acknowledgement for the service of these essential workers and their sacrifices in keeping our communities safe during COVID-19. Students shared this was a feel good project for them. "I'm proud of myself for filling other people's buckets," expressed one student; the sentiment was echoed by other students who shared they felt happy, thankful, grateful, and excited for those who will be receiving their letters. The letters have just recently been posted and students are now anxiously waiting for the recipients to receive them. Much more than an exercise in creative writing, this truly was a valuable and memorable experience for these students. As shared by the group: "It's important to reach out to people in our own community making a direct impact on us." The grade 3&4 class plan to continue their community connections in a future project with the Chalet Malouin seniors, hoping to spread love and cheer during a difficult pandemic Christmas season. DRESSING FOR THE WEATHERWinter is definitely upon us and here to stay. With the amount of time students spend outdoors on an average day, 1 1/2 to 2 hours per day, it is important that students are appropriately dressed for the cold and the snow. Only during times of extreme cold will recess or physical education be held indoors. We strongly recommend early years students have a second pair of mittens or gloves and a second pair of socks, in case their first pair is lost or becomes wet during play time. For middle years students, we strongly recommend a good pair of winter boots as opposed to runners or slip on shoes, a jacket, toque, and either ski pants or additional layers of pants. Comments are closed.
|
Archives
September 2023
|