Return to School

Hello Journey Families,

We hope that this email finds you and your family well.  This week we are in the process of preparing for the opportunity for our students to come to school on a voluntary, part time basis.  It is important for families to know what this new normal for June will look like when making your decision for your child to return.  Teachers will continue to support the Continuity of Learning at home, but will not be available on the day they are providing the Continuity of Learning at school.

Registration – Students must be registered through the online survey sent home Friday, (this will stay open until Wednesday, May 27 at 4 p.m.). OR by contacting our head secretary, Gina Thompson at gthompson@sd62.bc.ca.  Health and Safety protocols created at the district level and adapted for each school site are in place to keep students and staff as safe as possible.  Your child must be REGISTERED to attend as we need to plan in advance to ensure we have space and teaching staff to meet the regulations.  We CANNOT accept students on a drop-in basis.

Continuity of Learning at school is offered on the following days and will follow regular school hours:

Grade 6 – Monday                          Grade 7- Wednesday                      Grade 8 – Friday

Students must arrive as close to 8:40 a.m. as possible and leave at the end of the day.  There will be no clubs, sports teams or extra support after 2:58 Monday/Wednesday and 1:58 p.m. on Friday.  This is to allow for enhanced cleaning by our custodial staff at the end of each day.

What to expect should you decide to send your child to Journey on their assigned day.  School will not look like what it did when we left in March.  Students can expect support with their Continuity of Learning plan that they have been working on with their teacher(s).   Please be aware, in some cases, students may not be with their regular classroom teacher to meet guidelines set out by the government.

All students will line up outside the main door keeping 2 meters between them.  Once a student enters through the main door they must wash their hands immediately upon entry.  A hand sanitizer station has been installed in the foyer at the front door.  The student will go directly to their assigned classroom.  Please review physical distancing protocols with your child before arriving.

If a student is ill, with any common cold, influenza or COVID-19 like symptoms, parents/guardians must keep their child at home until they have been assessed by a health care provider to exclude COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, AND their symptoms have resolved.

If you are unsure of your student’s status or if they have symptoms contact 811 for guidance.

The classroom will look very different with desk/space for only 5 or 6 students.  Teachers and EAs will provide support to their existing Continuity of Learning at school.  New or enhanced lessons are not planned for the one day per week your child will be attending.

Recess and lunch will also look different.  The playground IS NOT open and as per COVID-19 Protocols, and students will NOT be able to play with sports equipment or other playground equipment while at school. Students should expect staggered breaks and will be under the direction of Lunch Supervisors and other staff during these times. The number of students on break at any one time will be limited.

       Highlights:

• The content remains the same should a child return to school one day per week or continue learning at home.
• Part time, volunteer in class instruction is on Monday for grade 6, Wednesday for grade 7 or Friday for grade 8. Online learning will continue for at home learners.
• Students may not be with their classroom teacher.
• We must know in advance if your child is coming to school. We cannot accept students without prior arrangement.
• Due to safety concerns parents will not be able to enter the school, classrooms, or portable. Please talk to your child about this in advance.
• Please contact the front office if you need to make an appointment.
• If your child is sick with cold/flu like symptoms they must stay home.
• If your child becomes sick at school, they will be isolated and you will be contacted for immediate pick up. They cannot return until their symptoms are gone and they have a doctor’s note.
• Classrooms will look different than usual. Movement within the school and classroom will also be very different.
• There will not be shared supplies or materials. Teachers will let you know what specific supplies to bring to school.
• Students will line up outside the main door 2m apart.
• Students and staff will wash their hands every time they enter and exit the classroom.
• Permission to use washrooms will be in effect. One student at a time.  Cleaning of washrooms is three times per day
• No personal items can be brought to school. Phones need to be out of sight and turned off.
• Students will be physically distanced in class to help ensure no physical contact.
• All food needs to be brought in and out each day including the garbage. Please make sure your child can open all containers.
• Personal water bottles only, (water fountains are closed).
• We will go outside for learning activities as much as possible! Please be prepared for the weather.

If your child is going to start or stop coming to school please let the office know by email to gthompson@sd62.bc.ca ASAP, so we can be prepared.

If you are an Essential Support Worker and require childcare, please register through the SD62 website.

Thank you for taking the time to read the rules. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at lszadkowski@sd62.bc.ca, kabell@sd62.bc.ca or  250-642-5881.