Thorsby Elementary School 2020-2021 Re-Entry Plan Information for Parents & Guardians
Welcome Back to School! Parents and Guardians, The staff at Thorsby Elementary School would like to officially welcome our school community back to school! We know that coming back to school may come with some anxiety for both you and your child. We will be doing our very best at Thorsby Elementary to ensure a healthy, safe, and caring learning environment for all of our students. The staff and students at TES will be following the guidelines set out in the Black Gold School Division Re-Entry Plan, as well as taking some additional precautions in school, as outlined below. This year we will be implementing various protocols to ensure the safety of our students. We ask that all parents and guardians read and follow the plan that is in place for our school. Things will be different as we try to keep things as close to “normal” as we can. The changes being implemented are for the good and well-being of the whole school community. There may be adjustments made as we go along. We only want to do what is best for our students and staff. Beyond educating your child, our priorities are safety and a sense of security each day. The staff is very excited that the students will be returning and we look forward to our new adventures in the 2020-2021 school year. Mrs. Jubinville
About COVID-19 For more information regarding COVID-19, please see the Black Gold School Division re-entry plan. Here you will find information regarding symptoms, prevention, good hygiene, as well as links to Alberta Health Services information. Re-entry Information for TES Parents and Students Following the provincial government’s direction, Black Gold School Division (BGSD) and Thorsby Elementary School is implementing the Guidance for School Re-entry - Scenario 1 from Alberta Education and Dr. Hinshaw, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, for September 2020. In September, TES teachers will initially focus on the social and emotional needs of students and administer screening tools to identify gaps in student learning. Supporting students to be ready to learn is an important first step in our school re-entry. These will be done in a variety of ways. Health lessonsT will also focus on physical and mental wellness, and students will continue to learn about the importance of hand washing, mask use, cohorting, and also how their ability to be resilient can affect their wellness. The screening tools teachers will be administering are the Mathematics Intervention Programming Instrument (MIPI), Fountas and Pinnell Reading Assessment, and Highest Level Achievement Test (HLAT) during the beginning of the year. These results, along with a variety of anecdotal evidence will identify any gaps from the previous year. Once teachers have identified gaps in student learning, they can plan their instruction to address these gaps prior to moving forward. This document details the conditions and protocols which will be in place for Thorsby Elementary School for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Administration realizes that this plan MUST be a flexible one, and as our situation changes, so does our plan. This is in compliance with AHS guidelines, as well as the Black Gold School Division plan.
Daily Health Check
Before leaving home, staff, children/students, visitors, and volunteers who will access the school for work or education, must self-screen for symptoms each day before they leave for school using the Alberta Health Daily Checklist TES will be following a strict stay at home protocol for those who are feeling unwell (stated in BGSD re-entry plan).
Staggered Entry Days
Staggered entry days will be considered the first day of class. Students should have supplies and be prepared for instruction. Sept. 8, 2020: Gr. 3 and 6 Sept. 9, 2020: K,Gr. 2 and 5 Sept.10, 2020: K Gr. 1 and 4 Sept. 11, 2020: K - 6 (Kindergarten is Monday/Wednesday cohort) Sept. 9 and 10, 2020: PreKindergarten staggered entry
Buses
Children/students should not board the bus if they have symptoms of COVID-19. Be sure that the self-screening tool has been used each day prior to leaving for the bus. Students in Grades 4 - 12 are required to wear a non-medical face mask when on the bus. Bus Drivers will use a face mask and a face shield when loading or unloading students from the bus. Bus Drivers will remove their face covering when the bus is in motion for maximum visibility. When wearing a face mask, care should be taken to ensure the mask is used correctly and safely. Students should be wearing their face mask at the bus stop or anytime they are waiting to board the bus. As much as practical, children/students will start boarding from the back seats to the front of the bus. Students will be assigned seats and students who live in the same household will be seated together. Drivers will increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, window areas, rails, steering wheel, mobile devices and GPS at the end of each morning and evening run. All children/students must perform hand hygiene (hand sanitizer) when entering the bus. Hand sanitizer will be available. No sharing of personal items (water bottles, etc.) or eating on the school bus. A child who becomes symptomatic during the bus trip should notify the driver and continue to wear their mask.. The driver will contact the school to make the appropriate arrangements to pick up the child/student.
TES Entry Protocols
Drop off Procedures
Student should not arrive at the school prior to 8:15 am. No vehicles other than buses in the bus lane between 8 am and 4 pm. Due to the likelihood of increased vehicular traffic at the school, the visitor parking/staff parking area will NOT be used for student drop-off. Parents need to use the student drop off area when bringing students to school, or park away from the school and walk their child in. Students will need to use the crosswalk to safely navigate the parking lot and then walk to their assigned doors.**The drop off area is NOT for parking. It is drop off only. Students go directly to their assigned staging/waiting area and line up physically distanced. Students will not be allowed to free play prior to the start of school. At 8:20, teachers will meet their class and classes will enter the school through their designated doors. Only one class will enter each area at a time. Staff will be at the doors to help with hand sanitizer application. Late arrivals (after classes are in the school) will be required to enter through the main doors and follow office protocols when checking in.
Staging areas
Grade K, 1, 1/2 - Line up west of their entry door. (front of the school) Grades 2, 3 , 3/4- Line up north of their entry door (link) Grade 4, 5 - Line up north/west of their entry door (modular) Grade 5/6, 6 - Line up south/west of their entry door (between the school and the storage garage)
Hand Hygiene and Safe Practices
Everyone must perform hand hygiene (hand sanitizer) when entering and exiting the school. Posters prompting hand hygiend, repiratory etiquette, physical distancing etc., posted in visible locations.
After School Procedures
Parents should not arrive prior to 3:00 pm to pick up their child(ren). Please be sure that your child knows every day whether they are riding the bus, being picked up, or if there are other plans for after school. Because we will be staggering the dismissal of students, the office staff cannot guarantee students will receive messages at the end of the day. Starting at 3:00 pm, bus students will be dismissed in order of the bus line-up to reduce the number of students leaving the school at any one time (this will be practiced on staggered entry days). Students being picked up or those who walk home will be dismissed last at 3:09 pm.
TES General Protocols
Parents/Guardians
As outlined in the Black Gold School Division Re-Entry Plan, parents/guardians and caregivers must remain outside the school to pick up and drop off their children. If it is absolutely necessary for a parent/guardian/caregiver to enter the school they should: Not be experiencing any symptoms as outlined by AHS (click the link for details) https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-testing-in-alberta.aspx Sanitize hands when entering and exiting the school. Proceed directly to the office and follow the signage posted on the floors. Follow the directions of office staff and exit the building when their business is completed. Parents/guardians/caregivers are not allowed past the office area without permission from office staff.
TES Dismissal Protocols
Office
Social distancing is in effect in the office as indicated by floor stickers and posters. A plexi-glass divider will be in use at the front desk. A hand sanitizer station is at the office door Late arrivals: please use the main door and observe social distancing protocols
Cleaning
Cleaning protocols will be strictly adhered to in accordance with AHS guidelines. Students will be required to use hand sanitizer upon entering or leaving a room. Students will be provided sanitizing materials to wipe down their work areas throughout the day.
Hallways
Water fountains will be bottle filling stations only. Students are asked to bring their own water bottle. Signs will be posted and floor stickers will indicate direction of travel. “Stay to the right” will be the preferred method of movement in the hallways. Appropriate distancing will be encouraged when walking the halls either independently or as a group.
Washrooms
Signs will be posted regarding protocols. Students will utilize assigned washrooms. Maximum 2 students in the washroom at a time. Students will be asked to return to class if the washroom has 2 occupants and 3 students waiting outside. Floor stickers will indicate where to wait outside of the washroom. Please notify your child’s teacher if there are any medical/physical conditions that might make waiting to use the washroom problematic.
Student Movement
Students will remain in their classrooms and teachers will circulate as needed. Students will ‘stay to the right’ when walking in hallways and will adhere to social distancing protocols. There will be limited movement of students within the school.
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The wearing of masks is a medical decision not an educational one. Non-medical face mask use is mandatory for students in Grades 4 - 6 and all staff in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Students in Kindergarten - Grade 3 may choose to wear a mask. Non-medical masks are not required while students are seated in the classroom during instruction if following the physical distancing. If close contact between students, or students and teachers/staff is occurring as a result of classroom activities, non-medical masks should be used for the duration of this activity. All teachers, staff and students in Grades 4 - 6 are required to wear face masks in all shared and common areas such as hallways and on buses. Masks will not be required during outdoor activities provided social distance can be maintained.
Recess
All students will go outside for recess times. Masks will not be required outdoors, although in the common space to go outside. All students will be provided with a breakaway lanyard for their mask. Student recess time will be staggered. First recess Division 1 - 10:07 - 10:22 am Division 2 - 10: 25 - 10: 40 Lunch eating times Division 1 - 11:56 - 12:08 Division 2 -11:46 - 11:58 Lunch recess Division 1 - 11:26 - 11:56 Division 2 - 11:58 - 12:28 Last recess Division 1 - 1:44 - 1:59 Division 2 - 2:02 - 2:17 ** Times may change
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TES Classroom Protocols
Supply Management
Students will bring their supplies on their staggered entry day. All extra supplies will be stored in the classroom. Sharing supplies will not be allowed. Students are encouraged to bring their own educational devices (ie - chromebook). School chromebooks will be clean and disinfected after each use. Each classroom has lockers for student use. Students will have access to their lockers under the direction of the teacher.
Lunch Related Items
Hot lunch will be suspended for the year. No microwaves, kettles, or toasters will be available. Students are encouraged to bring food in thermal containers if warm lunches are desired. Be sure that your child can open all containers independently.
Physical Education
When possible physical education will be done outside instead of inside as the risk of transmission is more likely to occur indoors rather than outdoors and will follow the Guidance for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation . Teachers will choose activities or sports that support physical distancing (e.g. badminton over wrestling). Kindergarten through Grade 6 students will not change for Physical Education classes. Students will sanitize hands before and after PE.
Music
Music will continue for the 2020-21 school year. The music teacher will move from class to class rather than students go to a music room. Students will not be participating in singing during music class. No recorders.
Library
Students will be staying in class for their library time for the 2020-21 school year. Library books will be brought to the students. Div I students will be given library books from the Librarian’s traveling cart and will be read to during their library block. As the year progresses, students will be taught how to use the library’s “Destiny” system to reserve books. Div II students will reserve their books with the librarian on “Destiny” and will receive their books shortly after. Out-loud reading and/or silent will also take place for these students during their library block.