Notes from the Office at École New Era School

Welcome back to school!  Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below that are specific to the opening of the 2021-2022 School Year at École New Era School. 

What training will staff receive before school start up?

• Staff will be provided orientation on Health Orders & Workplace Safety and Health during our staff meeting on September 7^th.  This will include resources that teachers can use with students.
• Our focus will be on regular cleaning and personal hygiene routines.
• We will review current Physical Distancing expectations based on Public Health and BSD guidelines. 

What training will students receive during school start up?

• Staff will teach students the key components of our school response on September 8^th & 9^th -^- specifically around new entry / exit routines, health routines & appropriate mask procedures.

What will the first day that students attend look like?

To facilitate the training / practice for all the new school routines, 50 % of students will attend school on September 8^th (last name A-K) and 50% of students will attend school on September 9^th (last name L-Z). Students will be met by school staff outside at their assigned cohort entry area (see map), enter through assigned (cohort) doors, given orientation on all health and safety expectations/protocols, organize personal supplies and be oriented to the new school movement (traffic flow in hallways).

What will a usual day look like?

Prior to school everyday: 

• Staff & students will complete self-screening protocols. 
• Prior to drop off, parents/guardians need to review the provincial screening checklist for each of their students.
• All essential visitors will enter through front door and sign in.
• Masks are required for all students and staff. Parents are encouraged to send a mask (or two) with their student(s) but the school will have some masks available for students that need.

 Drop Off Time everyday

• 8:45 – first bell – Staff will meet students at assigned ‘cohort’ door and monitor physical distancing.
• Parents can drop off students with their teacher at their cohort door. If parents are wanting to come into the school, they will need to go to the front door and sign in. Visitors will be screened at the door.
• 8:55 – second bell – staff will enter school with students using assigned entrances.
• After 8:55 - all late students enter through front door and sign in. 
• 9:15 announcements – This will be moved to an earlier time once entry becomes more efficient.

Recess

• Student cohorts will be assigned an outdoor location and will be separated into these recess groups. This will allow for greater distancing and create a mask ‘break’ for students.
• Students will be escorted to and from their assigned area using their assigned cohort doors.

Lunch

• Students will eat lunch in their classrooms – students must bring their lunch from home. For those registered for the community lunch program, lunch will be available starting September 20^th, 2021. 
• Our canteen will not be open at this time.

End of every day

• Bus students will be escorted through their assigned door to their bus area. They will be dismissed from their classroom just prior to the bell at 3:30. They will not be left unattended.
• All other students will be dismissed at 3:30. They can be picked up from their assigned line (painted on the ground and designated by class) by their cohort door (see attached map). Students will not be left unattended.
• Once at their lines, catchment area students that walk home will be free to depart.

What if my student rides the school bus?

• Transportation will contact you to confirm bus route information. 
• Bus drop off - Students will proceed to doors assigned to their cohorts (see attached map). Extra staff will be in place to support students and ensure physical distancing.
• Bus pick up- Bus students will be escorted through their assigned door to their bus area. Supervision is provided until students are picked up by the bus. 

What measures are being taken to keep the school safe?

Sanitation/Hygiene Protocols: 

• Cleaning and disinfecting will focus on high tough surfaces and common areas. 
• Classroom tables will be cleaned by lunchroom monitors after students have eaten.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at every entrance and in each classroom. 

 Will there be field trips or extra curricular activities?

• Off-site Activities will not occur to start the year but will be reassessed at a later time. 
• Extra Curricular activities can return if public health orders are met, these will be assessed on a case by case basis. 

My student is feeling anxious about returning to school. What does the school have available for the students?

The school will have support networks. These will be based on: 

• Grade group cohorts for teachers
• Guidance counsellor Jane Milne and Social Worker Raelle Whiteside will be supporting check-ins with students.

Will my Grade 7-8 student have access to a locker?

• To start the year, we will work to create an alternate locker system where students will be assigned lockers that will alternate between cohorts to spread students out at the lockers. 

Will my Grade 7-8 student have options like Home Ec / Industrial Art / Drama / Band?

• These programs are permitted as physical distancing will be maintained. See BSD reopening plan page 5 for more details. 

 What should we expect for regular & special needs programming? 

• Resource/Intervention Teams will reach out to highest needs students not coming back to class.
• Appropriate PPE for teachers and staff working with high needs students in class.
• Resource will be running programming for high needs students.

What cohort is my student in?

• Cohorts will be based on each student’s homeroom. Cohort doors, outdoor areas, bathrooms have all been assigned. See attached map for your student’s assigned drop off / pick up door. 

Will students use the same materials / equipment as other students?

• Students and teachers will clean shared equipment and materials after each use. For example, computer keyboards / chairs.
• Classroom teachers will require students to use their own supplies vs. communal supplies (pencils, scissors, etc.). 

How will the school support students that have fallen behind academically?

• After students settle into the new school routines, staff will identify students that may require additional support. We will use recovery learning and transition planning as required: 
  • Specialists will assist teachers in assessments to identify recovery learning needs.
  • Our school intervention team will determine best approaches to support students in need of recovery learning.
• Plan for other learning models: 
  • We will utilize a team approach to support all our students. 

Does my student need to attend school?

• Students are expected to attend full-time unless they are feeling ill. 

What if my student is feeling sick?

• Anyone that is showing symptoms needs to stay home. Families are encouraged to have backup plans in the case their student is feeling ill. 

What will happen if a student becomes ill in my student’s class or cohort?

• We will follow the Divisional protocols on what to do if students become sick while at school. 

How will we receive updates from the school?

• The school will share the most current plans / updates through email to parents.
• If you are not receiving the emails, please contact the school to update your contact information.