SAINT'S SCOOP
St. Martin's Catholic Elementary School - August 27, 2021
Welcome to St. Martin's School
We would like to welcome you and your children to our St. Martin's family for the 2021-2022 school year! Walking through the classrooms and halls of St. Martin's this week, the dedication and commitment to your children is evident as teachers and staff members have been diligently preparing to welcome your children back to school.
Our EICS division theme this year, Called To More comes from scripture Esther 4:14 “You have been called for such a time as this.” We are reminded that not only are we created in God’s image, but that God has a calling on each of our lives. We each have gifts and talents that we were given so that we may glorify God. He places us in the perfect place at the perfect time with everything that we need to do His will. Nothing can stop God’s will from being done.
As we journey together this year, may each of us remember we were fearfully and wonderfully made for a time such as this.
We are so excited for next week and cannot wait to greet your children!
Blessings,
Joe Kucy
Melanie Sorochan
Introducing the St. Martin's Team for 2021-2022
Principal: Joe Kucy
Assistant Principal: Melanie Sorochan
Secretary: Fronde Dubuc
Pre-Kindergarten (4 year old) Program - Bronwyn McMaster
Nature Kindergarten Program - Bronwyn McMaster
Kindergarten - Cheryl Zacharkiw
Gr. 1C - Ashley Cole
Gr. 1H - Emily Harris
Gr. 2B - Cheryl Bilyk
Gr. 2/3S - Melanie Sorochan
Gr. 3C - Erin Cowle
Gr. 4B - Charlene Bicknell
Gr. 5D - Tracy Deal
Gr. 6C - Jennifer Cheremshynski
Gr. 6S - Lisa Salsbury
PE - Darren Kirk
Collaborative Response Coordinator & ELL: Bridget Yaremko
Family Wellness Worker: Kathleen Bohaychuk
MHCB Vegreville: Larissa Regnier
Chaplain: Melanie Sorochan
Library: Lesley Lane-Robinson
Custodian: Jojo Delena, Bev Andriashyk
EA's: Tammy Andrews, Jocelyn LeBrocq, Sherry Dziwenka, Kaylee Borhson, Kaitlin Clough
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, September 1 - First Day of School - Staggered Start for Students (A to M)
- Thursday, September 2 - Second Day of School - Staggered Start for Students (N to Z)
- Friday, September 3 - Third Day of School - First day for ALL Students
- Monday, September 6 - Labour Day - No School
- Wednesday, September 8 - Early Dismissal
- Monday, September 13 - First Parent Council Meeting Virtually
- Wednesday, September 15 - Real Foundation EICS Charity Golf tournament (please consider signing up)
- Wednesday September 22 - First Day of Fall
Student School Entrances
Please use the following designated entrances for your child. (see the following map)
These entrances are to be used for morning arrival (drop-off), recesses, and departure (pick-up) in the afternoon.
EICS 2021-2022 School Year Plan
Elk Island Catholic Schools is looking forward to welcoming students and staff back to school for 2021-2022, and to the resumption of school activities such as field trips, extracurricular activities, school masses and celebrations, hot lunch programs and graduation activities.
On August 13, 2021, the Alberta government shared the 2021 - 2022 School Year Plan with stakeholders.
While the Government of Alberta has removed school restrictions, our 2021-2022 School Plan will support schools in reducing the risk of transmission of illnesses and maintain a safe and healthy environment for our students and staff. EICS is committed to maintaining for the start of the 2021/2022 school year:
● enhanced cleaning and disinfecting including; daily cleaning for all areas of the school, washrooms and high-touch surface areas cleaned several times a day;
● regularly scheduled deep cleaning when students are not present;
● enhanced cleaning protocol with healthcare grade system that kills human coronavirus;
● stay-at-home policy for any students or staff exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19;
● physical distancing maximization within the confines of a classroom;
● hand hygiene / respiratory etiquette
● daily screening following the Alberta Health Daily Checklist
EICS will review our plan on September 27th, 2021, in accordance with the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s scheduled update. The health, safety and well-being of our students and staff will always remain our first priority.
Health and Safety Measures for September 2021
Vaccines
● All eligible staff and students are encouraged to be fully vaccinated for respiratory illnesses, where applicable, such as COVID-19 and influenza.
Environmental Measures
● Enhanced cleaning protocols will continue. This includes regular cleaning and disinfection of high touch surfaces, regular scheduled deep cleaning when students are not present with our healthcare grade system.
● Physical distancing is encouraged within the confines of a classroom.
Hand Hygiene
● Hand washing/sanitizing will continue to be part of daily routines, as per the Guidance for Respiratory Illness Prevention and Management in Schools.
● Hand sanitizer will continue to be available throughout the school and at all entryways. Respiratory Etiquette
Pre-K to Grade 3
● Masks are strongly recommended when physical distancing is not possible and in common areas (hallways, bathrooms, foyers, lunch rooms) where classroom cohorts are often intermingled.
● Masks are mandatory on the school bus, and to and from school and to any school sanctioned event.
Grades 4-12
● Masks are strongly recommended in all common areas (hallways, bathrooms, foyers, lunch rooms)
● Masks are mandatory on the school bus, and to and from school and to any school sanctioned event.
● Masks remain strongly recommended during class time when physical distancing is not possible.
● When outside, masks are not necessary, but we encourage students to practice physical distancing.
Responding to Illness
Symptomatic Students and Staff
● Before coming to school, students and staff should screen daily for any new signs or symptoms of Covid-19 using the Alberta Health Daily Checklist.
● Anyone with new onset or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 are not to attend school and are directed by Alberta Health to stay home, seek health care advice and fill out the AHS Online Assessment tool to determine if they should be tested for COVID-19.
● Should a student develop symptoms of illness at school, parents will be notified and advised to pick up their child as soon as possible.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19
● Parents/guardians are encouraged to notify school administrators of a positive COVID-19 test result. All reporting continues to be confidential.
● Staff and students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate for a minimum of 10 days. (See Appendix B)
● At the direction of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, AHS will no longer notify close contacts of a potential COVID-19 exposure at school.
School Operations
School Activities
● School operations and activities will resume as normal.
Transportation
● Masks are required for all students and staff on school busses.
● Continued cleaning of high touch surfaces will occur.
School Access
● Visitors should screen daily for any new signs or symptoms of Covid-19 using the Alberta Health Daily Checklist.
● Parents, visitors are permitted to enter the school provided there is a valid reason. Gatherings outside of classrooms or hallways are not to occur.
Mental Health and Well-Being
● Support for students and parents can be found on our website.School support teams will continue to be available to students, staff and families within Elk Island Catholic Schools.
Our School will have No Microwaves available for students for the Month of September, but this is being reviewed for October.
St. Martin's School Office
Website: https://stmn.eics.ab.ca/
Location: St Martin's School, 54A Avenue, Vegreville, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-632-2266
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmartinscatholicschool
Twitter: @StMartinsEICS