Senior School Update
August 13, 2020
Welcome back! We are looking forward to the new school year!
Upcoming Events
STAGGERED START DURING THE WEEK OF AUGUST 31 FOR SENIOR SCHOOL
Monday, August 31: Orientation Day by time: Dress code Selwyn House PE uniform, and mask. No laptops or school supplies needed for orientation.
8:30 - 10:00 AM Newly-registered students (12 newly-enrolled students), Physics Lab
10:30 – 11:30 AM All Grade 10 students, Macaulay Gym
12:30 – 1:30 PM All Grade 9 students, Macaulay Gym
2:30 - 3:30 PM All Grade 11 students, Macaulay Gym
Wednesday, September 2: Only Grade 10 students for the full day
Thursday, September 3: Only Grade 9 students on for the full day
Friday, September 4: All Senior School Grade 9 - 11 students for the full day
NEED TO KNOW
Health and Safety Guidelines 2020-2021
For the complete Health and Safety Guidelines, click Health and Safety Guidelines 2020-2021
Masks: Although the Ministry of Education does not require students to wear masks in classrooms, the Selwyn House policy is that all students from Grades 5 through 11, and all adults, wear masks in the school, including in classrooms. They should have a mask with them. In the classroom, students may remove their masks for a short period of time if they are doing individual work and they are at least 1 metre away from other students. A clean mask is required each day. Please ensure that your son is equipped with an ample supply of reusable cloth face masks or disposable face masks. A back-up face mask should be packed in his backpack each day in case the one he is wearing should become compromised.
Student Uniforms:
Students will wear Selwyn House phys-ed uniforms until further notice. This includes SHS shorts, sweatpants, athletic t-shirts, sweatshirts, and running shoes. This allows for comfortable clothing for outdoor classes and midday body-break exercises, and ensures that clothes can be laundered daily.
Sanitizer & Access to School
If a student absolutely must arrive at school before these times or, in exceptional circumstances cannot leave promptly, he must wait in Coristine Hall. There will be no breakfast service, but students may bring their own food. Students must sit two metres apart, and there will be a teacher on duty.
If arriving late to school or have an early dismissal, students in Senior School should use the Macaulay front door and report to Ms. Wong.
At the end of the day, we need parents to pick students up promptly at the indicated times. Students who walk home on their own should leave the school buildings and grounds promptly.
Students will not have access to lockers for the time being. We will provide controlled access to lockers once the weather turns colder and there is a need for outerwear.
Additions to Regular School Supplies
Please note there is no specific school supply list for Grade 9, 10 or 11 as students sign up for different courses and options. Students choose their own general school supplies: pens, pencils, pencil case, notebooks, binders, highlighters, pocket folders, backpack. Students should establish a method of keeping their work organized. Students will be informed the first week of school if a teacher requires something specific for his or her course.
For the first few weeks of school, students should bring in their laptops, and a few notebooks, pens, and pencils. Please note that students will be carrying what they need for the day in their backpacks, which they should be aware not overload as they will not have access to lockers for the time being.
2. While there will be sanitizer stations around the school, they could bring in their own small sanitizer bottles.
3. A pair of headphones with a 3.5 mm plug (not wireless).
4. Students must have their own water bottle.
5. You may wish to send extra SHS sports attire.
Message du département de français :
Cette année, puisque le partage d’ouvrages de référence en classe ne sera pas possible, nous demandons à chaque élève au Senior School de s’équiper d’un dictionnaire et d’un guide de conjugaison personnels. Ils seront essentiels lors d’évaluations dans leurs cours de français.
Student Absences
We expect considerable precautionary absenteeism this year and our teachers are committed to ensuring that students at home continue to receive instruction and materials that are grade-level appropriate in order for them to progress in their learning. This material may include videos, class notes, handouts, and homework assignments delivered through OnCampus. Teachers will also communicate via email. Some teachers may provide Zoom links or recordings of classes depending on the class activities.ADJUSTMENTS TO SCHOOL LIFE: Because of social distancing requirements, there will be some adjustments to our school practices.
Students are required to remain in their classroom and teachers will move to them. This will be an adjustment for Senior School students. In all cases, students will eat lunch in their classrooms. We will provide “body break” activities throughout the day, as well as recesses.
Recess
Recess will be staggered between the grades with each grade given a designated outdoor space.
Lunch Service:
Lunches will be delivered to the classrooms. The menu will be posted on our website. Students will eat in their classroom under teacher supervision. Here is a sample menu.
Assemblies & Student Life
The student life team will continue to provide programming, although our assemblies will be virtual until further notice.
Athletics:
Our physical education and athletic program will be modified to ensure compliance with the closed classroom protocol and physical distancing requirements of the Ministry of Education. In all situations, we will comply with physical distancing guidelines, ensure a high degree of cleanliness and prioritize the health and safety of our athletes.
Visitor and Parent Access
For health and safety reasons, there will be no visitor or parent access in the school. All parents and visitors must report to the front office in the Lucas Building if they wish to deliver or drop something off. Any visitors or workers in the school (i.e. those who are not employees or students) must sign a waiver upon entry and wear a mask.
For now, we encourage telephone or Zoom meetings with teachers or school personnel.
Emotional and Psychological Support
The social and emotional well-being of our students is a priority and is foundational to academic success. We will be providing reintegration programming for students and teachers. Our school counselor, Ms. Carissa Springer, and Dr. Ada Sinacore, our counseling consultant, will be providing support for students and teachers. We encourage parents to reach out if they have any concerns about their son’s adjustment to school or his stress level. We also encourage students themselves to speak to any teacher, administrator, or counselor and be open about any concerns and worries they may have.
Additional Ped. Days for Wellness
English Summer Reading: A reminder for students to complete their summer reading requirements. The study guide questions are due upon your return to school the week of August 31. Classroom teachers will be spending the first weeks of the school year discussing the summer reading book and the first major written assignment for each grade will be based on this text.
Grade 9 - The Marrow Thieves - Cherie Dimaline: Study Guide
Grade 10 - Fifteen Dogs - André Alexis: Study Guide
Grade 11 - The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga: Study Guide
Fall Gryphon Sale Cancellation (August 24 – 26, 2020) The decision has been made to cancel the sale given the information outlined in the Health & Safety Guidelines 2020-2021 in the Welcome Back Letter dated August 11, 2020.
“Students will wear Selwyn House phys-ed uniforms until further notice. This includes SHS shorts, sweatpants, athletic t-shirts, sweatshirts, and running shoes. This allows for comfortable clothing for outdoor classes and midday body-break exercises, and ensures that clothes can be laundered daily.”
Thanks to generous donations, the Gryphon Sale stock was quite high for items such as blazers, dress shirts and dress pants. However, the amount of Physical Education items in stock was not sufficient enough to warrant holding the sale.
If the situation changes and the regular uniform is required later this school year, the sale will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
Please review the updated Important Dates for this year:
Revised Important Dates 2020 - 2021ImPACT Test: All senior school students are expected to complete the ImPACT test prior to the beginning of the new school year. For further details, please click here for the ImPACT letter to parents.
Social Media
Selwyn House School
Email: info@selwyn.ca
Website: www.selwyn.ca
Location: 95 Chemin Cote St Antoine, Westmount, QC, Canada
Phone: 5149319481
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SelwynHouseSchool/