Return to In-Person Learning
January 2022
Dear Students and Families,
We are so excited to welcome back all our Holy Name of Mary students to in-person learning on Monday, January 17th. It will be nice to see our students back in class and with their classmates.
With the rapid spread of Omicron, we have provided information below with enhanced screening protocols and requirements to follow to ensure a safe return for students, families and staff. We will continue to work hard to keep all of our students and staff working in a safe and productive school environment.
We will reach out with further information when it is made available. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.
Caroline LaBelle
Principal
Daily Screening Tool
With the return to in-person learning on January 17th, students must complete the updated screening tool daily before attending school. Verification of daily self-assessment is also required by the Ministry and will be in place until further notice for all students. If a student arrives at school without completed confirmation of daily screening, the Ministry of Education requires our school office administrators to contact you for completion.
Prior to the Christmas break, information was sent to all families regarding the process for verification of self-screening. See below for an updated verification form and helpful checklist which will reflect dates starting January 17th. A copy of the original letter and updated forms can also be found on our school website.
Masks
A reminder that masking at school for children in grades JK to 8 is mandatory and is required indoors and on the bus. Masking and hand hygiene, cohorting and distancing at school are our primary ways of keeping COVID from spreading should we have a case in the school.
Please ensure your child has:
- a proper fitting mask that covers the nose, mouth and chin comfortably without gaps that would allow air to escape from edges
- a supply of masks to replace throughout the school day - soiled masks are not effective
There are several students (particularly in our junior and intermediate classes) that consistently disobey the masking protocols. It is very important that each student follow the masking guidelines as we are dealing with an easily transmissible virus.
Please note the following guidelines to help ensure the safe use of masking at HNOM.
Step 1: Student will be reminded by classroom teacher to wear his/her mask properly. Should the student need to be reminded three times by the classroom teacher, the teacher will contact parents and let them know that the masking protocols are not being followed and that if behaviour continues, the student will be sent to the office to work independently.
Step 2: Should the student need to be reminded after the phone call home, the student will be sent to the office and will remain in the office for the remainder of the morning or afternoon (depending on what time the student is sent). The office will contact home.
Step 3: Should the student be sent to the office a second time, the student will remain in the office for the remainder of the day and there will be a phone call home indicating that the student will be sent home if masking protocols are not adhered to moving forward.
Step 4: If the student is sent to the office for a third time, parents/guardians will be contacted and the student will be sent home.
Water Bottles
Technology Return
Pizza, Milk and Sub Orders
With the return to in-person learning, pizza, milk and sub orders will resume January 17th. The January orders will be extended into February to make up for the two weeks of the school closure (January 17 - February 15).
Cash on-line will be available the first week of February for families to order food items for the remaining weeks of February and March.
Registration
If you know of families in the area with children of Kindergarten age, please encourage them to visit our website for registration information.