Hello Norseman Families!
Important Changes to Mask Guidelines
As our procedures change, so do the procedures of the TDSB. Many of you may have seen Ms. Kim and I out on the yard this morning reminding some parents/caregivers to wear masks. Last night the TDSB refined their mask guidelines, which has a significant change for everyone on school property.
“School visitors, including parents/guardians, are required to wear a mask/face covering when indoors and outdoors on school property, such as during pick-up and drop-off.”
For the full changes to the guidelines, please click on the link below:
Mask Guidelines Updated
As well, there are some masks that are not approved for use. Some commercially available masks have exhalation (breathable) valves or openings that make the mask more breathable for the person wearing it. However, these masks also allow infectious respiratory droplets to spread outside the mask. Masks with exhalation valves are therefore not to be used because they do not protect others from COVID-19 and do not limit the spread of the virus.
Start of the Year forms
At the beginning of the school year, parents/caregivers are asked to complete a myriad of permission forms (walking excursion forms, medical information, Phys. Ed. Forms, etc.) The Start of Year Forms package will be made available to parents/guardians digitally again this year. The forms will be emailed to all parents/guardians with an email on file between Monday, September 28, 2020 - Wednesday, September 30, 2020. The Start of Year Forms will be completed for all students (both in-person and virtual). These forms are associated with the student and therefore will move with the student, regardless of the learning model chosen.
Switching from or Returning to In-Person Learning
We recognize that parents/guardians and/or students may want to switch between in-person learning and Virtual School. It is important to note that, for health and safety reasons, and because of the impact switching would have on staffing, physical distancing and space allocation, it will not be possible to immediately transition between the two models. As a result, an opportunity to enter the Virtual School or to return to in-person learning will be provided at three key dates during the school year, as outlined below.
Movement from one model to another will be requested through the Principal of the student’s home school. If a switch is required outside of the designated times, a limited number of exceptions may be made and will be reviewed by Principals on a case-by-case basis.
Opportunity to Change Date the Change of Class Deadline to Request Change
One month into the year October 13, 2020 September
30, 2020
After the progress report November 23, 2020 November 6, 2020
After the First Term report February 16, 2021 January 29, 2021
Orange Shirt Day
On Wednesday, September 30th, we acknowledge and honour Orange Shirt Day. It is a time to reflect on the effects of Residential Schools on First Nations and to continue our journey towards reconciliation. We invite our students to wear an orange shirt on September 30th to support the initiative “Every Child Matters” and to create a school culture centred on anti-racism and anti-bullying for the upcoming year. Please check our Twitter account @NorsemanTweet on September 30th to see the activities students will be doing in their class.
When Students are unwell
When students complain about being unwell, we take it very seriously. If the student shows signs of a covid symptom:
- The student is immediately brought to our wellness room and parents are called.
- The parent is encouraged to go for testing or to speak to their healthcare provider and should self-isolate for 14 days from the start of symptoms unless
- They have been tested and have a negative result (see process below) or
- They have received an alternate diagnosis from a healthcare provider
If test results are negative or they have received an alternative diagnosis from a healthcare provider, and the individual has not had a high risk exposure to COVID-19, they may return to school 24 hours after being symptom free. But if they are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, they must remain in self isolation for 14 days and monitor for symptoms.
If you are a close contact of a positive case: You must self-isolate for 14 days from your last contact with the positive case and monitor for symptoms Speak to your healthcare provider and go for testing Remain in isolation for 14 days regardless if test results come back negative for COVID-19.
If you have been called to pick up your child due to illness, please keep the main office up to date regarding your follow up process.
Absences and missed school work
Students who are at home ill, will obviously be unable to complete the in-school program and need to take the allotted time to rest and fully recover. Typically, the greater part of a school day and most in-school lessons are based on oral discussion, shared efforts, and hands-on manipulation. As a result, this cannot be duplicated at home and teachers will usually be unable to provide take-home work for students who are absent. If a teacher has posted homework on a Google Classroom for the entire class, this work can always be accessed. Otherwise, students who are at home and on the road to recovery can engage in independent reading and writing, and research of information related to other current units of study. If the students are unaware of their units of study, teachers can provide this information, if requested. Since teachers also need to follow the same health guidelines, supply teachers cannot be expected to provide this information for students who are at home.
Thank you for your patience and understanding! Enjoy the lovely warm weather this weekend!
Take care and stay safe,
Carolyn Wright
Principal