SJAM Return to School Update
École Sir John A. Macdonald: August 23, 2020
Dear Families
Below you will find some initial information to get you started on preparing your child for school and planning for your family. Now that we have received our opt-out enrollment numbers, we will be working on firming up class lists to create cohorts for students when they are at school. We have also received confirmation that our Board will implement a staggered start to the school year. Please check your email for your child's staggered start schedule early this week.
Please continue to check the Board website for the latest information and resources for your family. We will continue to send our weekly family updates every Sunday to keep you in the loop of school happenings, but this week we will be sending more information through the week. Please check your email regularly as well as our school website for these communications, and do not hesitate to call the school or email if you have any questions. We are here to help!
Staggered Entry for LDSB
LDSB is moving ahead with a staggered entry model that will see students return to our schools for some days between Thursday, Sept. 3 and Friday Sept. 11, 2020. Plans will vary depending on the school population and other factors. Sir JAM is working on a plan that will work for our large site, that will ease students into routines and their new environment in smaller groups. We will communicate our staggered entry plan directly to families using our Communicate broadcast system, and other school communication tools as early as possible this week. We understand that this decision may pose an inconvenience for some families, but we are confident that this approach will be extremely helpful in reducing anxiety and supporting a safe return to school.
Office Hours
Coming Up:
- Monday August 24th-August 28th - Main Office Opens. Phone or email between 8:30-4 pm.
- Monday, August 31st - PA Day
- Tuesday, September 1st - PA Day
- Wednesday, September 2nd - PA Day
- Thursday, September 3rd - Staggered School Start Schedule begins. Please check your email to confirm your child's start date and schedule.
- Monday, September 7th - Labour Day
SJAM Preparations
- Class cohort zones on the yard for recess and outdoor breaks.
- Assigned stairs for student use and assigned entrance/exits for classes.
- Two classes on kindergarten yard in assigned halves
- Junior and primary 40 minute breaks outside either morning or afternoon prevent the congestion of each floor entering and exiting the building at the 20 minute half
- Outdoor learning opportunities and additional outdoor breaks
- Additional paid supervisors and maximum use of school yard
- Use of signs and visuals for controlling flow of students
- Removal of large furniture to provide more space in classes
- Removal of carpets in classes and spacing of desks and tables
- Sanitization and hygiene routines and supplies
- Preparation of orientation video for SJAM (stay tuned)
- Welcome email to share classroom placement, meeting zone, teacher pic and instructions for First Day. (Beginning August 31st)
- Transition support for students with special needs
We will continue to tweak our plan to refine and improve how it works, and we appreciate your patience and support.
School Hours
Our school day schedule is as follows for primary and junior classes:
9:15-11:15 - 120 mins
11:15--11:55 - recess/nutrition
11:55 -1:35 - 100 mins
1:35-2:15 - recess/nutrition
2:15-3:35 - 80 mins
Kindergarten recess/nutrition breaks may vary by classroom as we have created an additional nutrition/recess break from 10:35 -11:15 to allow for only two zones and two cohorts on the kindergarten yard at at time.
Restrictions around school access for visitors will require changes to our usual routines for pick up and drop off of students. More information will be shared about arrival and dismissal procedures prior to start-up.
School Supplies
As always, our school will provide the necessary supplies your child will need for learning. This year, your child will receive an individual bag of supplies. At this time of year, parents are often looking for back-to-school shopping suggestions. We've listed a few suggestions below:
- Two or three comfortable masks (mandatory for gr 4-8, strongly encouraged for K-3)
- Labelled water bottle (water fountains will not be open, filling stations will) and lunch bag with lots of snacks
- Pencil case ( You may want your personal pencils/pens, eraser, crayons/pencil crayons, scissors, ruler, calculator for older grades etc.) We will have school supplies for individual use in classrooms.
- Outdoor clothing for a variety of weather conditions (We will be spending an increased amount of time learning and playing outdoors; including during rain/snow etc.)
- Backpack - not too big! We're trying to travel light this year.
- What about Indoor shoes? We will not be using the gymnasium for phys-ed to start the year, so one pair of comfortable closed-toe non-slip shoes that are good for indoor and outdoor use is all you need for now. You can still shop the sales and keep them for later.
Your child's classroom teacher may have some additional suggestions when you arrive. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if your family requires any assistance. sirjm@limestone.on.ca
Medical Plans
Opting Out for Remote Learning
- We will be reaching out to gather information about your technology preparedness, wireless access and remote learning options.
- Families who choose remote learning may not be able to easily move back to in-person learning at Sir JAM, and vice versa. We will do our best to accommodate requests, but school staffing is funded and completed based on student numbers. Moves may be dependent on space availability and other factors.
- While efforts will be made to accommodate requests for a change, families should expect that they might need to be wait-listed and bus transportation is not guaranteed.
- During online learning you will not necessarily be connected to an SJAM teachers or students.
- If you decide to change your mind about opting into remote learning or vice versa, the deadline for changing from one to the other is September 14th.
- The start date for remote learning is September 21st.
Returning Technology
Getting Ready for School
Positive Messaging: Children will be looking to adults to determine how they should react to situations, to provide reassurance and to answer questions/concerns they may have. Do your best to share positive messaging about the challenges ahead and be mindful about what personal worries and concerns you share.
Begin Practicing: Begin or continue to practice mask wearing and physical distancing in the community and in social gatherings. Students will need time to become accustomed to these protocols and will need to develop stamina for wearing a mask.
Continue to establish and practice hand-washing/sanitizing routines at home before/after transitioning to new places and spaces. We will be washing our hands a lot during the school day!
Seek Support: Reach out to other families to share ideas and strategies for preparing students for the new normal of school. Access community resources to support your child's mental health and well-being or to access support for yourself. Email or call the school if you have specific questions/concerns related to your child - our whole team is here to help!
School Contact Info
Email: sirjm@limestone.on.ca
Website: www.sirjohna.limestone.on.ca
Location: 529 St. Martha Street, Kingston, ON
Phone: 613-650-5478
Twitter: @SirJohnA_LDSB