Reminders for RETURN to SCHOOL!

VPPS Families,

Thank you for your patience as we work through the details of the new processes for returning to school in person.  We are excited to see the kids and be together again.  It is important that we continue to partner together to keep everyone happy and healthy.  The purpose of this communication is to answer questions that were raised and to provide an overview of some of the changes.  Please reach out to us if you have questions or concerns or are unsure of your next steps.  We are happy to speak with you or email with you. Thank you to those of you who have indicated that your child(ren) will be remaining at home for a period of time – we look forward to their return in the coming weeks.

****PLEASE RETURN BORROWED TECHNOLOGY IF YOUR CHILD(REN) HAVE RETURNED TO IN PERSON LEARNING ASAP*****

DAILY SCHOOL SCREENING:

This is a 2-step process (the same as early September) that must be completed daily.  The school will be following up if it isn’t completed.  We ask that you take the time to do it and save the office staff time in following up as we would prefer they are working to support students and programs and not chasing absences and screening forms.

• Step one: complete the ‘School Screening’ from the Provincial Government online, or print it off and review each question daily.  You can google ‘School Screening’ or click on the link here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
• Step two: go to this link: https://covidscreening.yrdsb.ca/ Log in using your child’s Gapps login (the info they use each day for online learning – so write it down if you don’t know it).  One must be done for each child’s login.  We recognize that this is onerous, so consider bookmarking the link in your phone or on your computer and set a reminder to complete it each morning.  Grade 7 &8 students may complete this themselves.

MASKING:

Students in every grade from 1-8 are required to wear a mask to school that is 3 layers. Please remember to send your child(ren) with at least two masks for each school day. Sometimes masks get wet, fall on the ground or simply need a change.

Cloth masks are being delivered to all YRDSB schools, they will be distributed as soon as possible.

RAPID TESTS:

The Ministry of Education has announced that Rapid Antigen Tests will be provided to all students, they will be sent home with students by the end of next week.

SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT:

We know you will partner with us to keep everyone happy and healthy.  Please use the Covid Isolation Code in Edsby if your child is presumed to be home with COVID or the other appropriate illness codes as needed.  If you have questions as you work through the screening tool or isolation instructions, you may call and speak to us in the office.  Students that are sick at school will be brought to the health isolation room to be picked up.

• Individuals with a positive RAT can return to work/school once symptoms have resolved and self- isolation is complete.
  • Individuals with a symptom not listed below or only one of the following symptoms should isolate until symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (48 hours for gastrointestinal symptoms)
    • Runny nose/nasal congestion
    • Headache
    • Extreme fatigue
    • Sore throat
    • Muscle aches/joint pain
    • GI symptoms

Household members do not need to self-isolate.

COHORTS

We will continue to maintain cohorts inside and outside

VENTILATION:

Portable HEPA air filters have been allocated as per Ministry direction (isolation room, and classrooms without HVAC systems). Rooms that are fully ventilated through air handling units do not require the use of a portable HEPA air purifier.

OUTDOOR RECESS:

Except in very extreme cold temperatures, students will be going outside for one 20 minute recess in the morning and one 40 minute recess in the afternoon.  This means students need to come dressed appropriately to be out in whatever the weather is that day – warm coats, hats, mittens or gloves, boots and snow pants.  This will allow students to play safely outside and enjoy our Canadian winter.  Parents are also encouraged to send an extra pair of socks, mitts and/or pants as these items often get wet and cold in the winter months. Please also remember to send your child with indoor shoes.

As per the YRDSB Extreme Cold Weather Guideline, when the temperature and/or wind chill are at -20 degrees Celsius or below, indoor recess will be considered.  When temperatures and/or wind chill reach minus 18-19 degrees Celsius, a shortened outdoor recess will be considered.

We anticipate that with good communication and partnership between home and school that we will manage through what is to come and that students will be happy to be back at school! 

– Mr. Farrell & Mme Chamberland