SAA Newsflash January 14, 2022
Sister Alphonse Academy
We are Wonder Driven!
We are witnesses - Arise! Get up, Get Going!
When we live a life of service we are witnesses to what Christians do in the world. We set an example, we show others what it means to live like Jesus and make a difference! Knights SERVE, ACHIEVE, and ASPIRE!
Dear Parent/Guardian:
As we close out another week, we are pleased to share that our students continue to Arise: Get up and Get Going! through demonstrating positivity and resilience! Although we have had to incorporate further Covid safety restrictions, our students are happy to be at school learning and socializing with their friends.
Please note that although students from K - 12 are wearing their masks more often than they did before, students receive many scheduled breaks during the school day which include these times:
- Outdoors at recess
- During snack time
- Lunch hour when eating
- When there is no conversation and they are completing seat work teachers provide a mask break as well (such as during a test/exam).
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to navigate through this school year.
***Please also note that Sister Alphonse Academy has not received our shipment of Covid test kits and masks from the Alberta Government as of yet. Please note that we are not in control of this piece and that communication will follow upon receipt of these items for families.
God bless and have a safe and happy weekend.
Christine Samson, Principal
Cindy Phillips, Vice Principal
Upcoming Events!
Monday, January 17 - Exciting day of learning!
VJM at SAA - Basketball boys - No spectators at this time.
Tuesday, January 18 - Exciting day of learning!
Week of Christian Unity January 18 - 25th
Wednesday, January 19 - Exciting day of learning!
Thursday, January 20 - SAA Spirit Day!
WDC at SAA - Basketball Boys - No spectators at this time.
Friday, January 21 - Exciting day of learning!
Monday, January 24 - Exciting day of learning!
Tuesday, January 25 - Exciting day of learning!
SAA at MCHS - Basketball boys
Wednesday, January 26 - Exciting day of learning!
SAA Pre-K/Kindergarten Expo - Virtual at 6:00 p.m. Please see details below.
Thursday, January 27 - SAA Spirit Day!
Friday, January 28 - Exciting day of learning!
Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools Return to School Plan
(Recent information from the recent Superintendent's address)
Government of Alberta Return to School Plan
Earlier this week, we heard from the Minister of Education, Adriana LaGrange, who announced that students will return to in-person learning on Monday, January 10th. We also heard that our schools will be provided with rapid tests and medical-grade masks distributed through schools as an added layer of protection against the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
It was also announced all schools will have their initial shipments by the end of next week. Distribution to students and staff will occur as individual schools receive their supplies. Both rapid tests and masks will be shipped in phases.
Important health measures already in place will continue to protect students in classrooms. These include requirements for masking, physical distancing, cohorting, enhanced sanitization, and hygiene practices.
In addition to having supports for safe in-person learning, next week, students in grades 4 to 9 and their parents will be able to view free online tutoring resources through the e-Tutoring Hub to catch up on important skills and learning students may have fallen behind on due to the pandemic.
The e-Tutoring Hub will be launched with pre-recorded video tutoring sessions students and their parents can access at any time to build literacy and numeracy skills. Later this year, Alberta Education will expand the online tutoring services to cover more grades and subjects, including live tutoring.
The full announcement details can be found here.
GSACRD RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN - UPDATED JANUARY 7, 2022
In addition to the above-noted protocols, we also have made important changes to the following sections of the Return to School plan that reflect the evolving COVID-19 situation:
● Masking in GSACRD Schools
● Illness, Symptoms, and Isolation
● Positive COVID-19 Cases within our Schools
● Vaccines
● e-Tutoring Hub
● GSACRD Processes When Transitioning to Online Learning
● Assessment
● Visitors and Volunteers
● Cafeterias and Food Service
RETURN TO SCHOOL - MASK FIT AND QUALITY IS IMPORTANT
All staff and students must continue to use the COVID-19 Alberta Health Daily Checklist daily to determine if they may attend school.
Mask wearing is one tool used to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Adhering to masking guidelines will allow our schools to safely continue in-person learning. At the beginning of the school year, we reintroduced a wide range of option courses and extracurricular activities, such as sports teams, drama activities, clubs and events. It is our hope to maintain as many of these opportunities for our students. Additionally, students are enjoying the use lockers, cafeterias and gymnasiums. Efforts made to mask properly demonstrates our commitment to a collective goal of having as normal a school year as possible. We thank each of you for your cooperation.
In light of the Omicron variant that is more transmissible than previous variants, AHS has adjusted its instructions for proper masking. Schools will be receiving medical masks for distribution to students during the week of January 10, 2022.
While we are appreciative of these masks, we encourage all families who are able to do so, to purchase high quality masks and ensure that students understand how to wear and care for their mask in order to provide the most protection against the spread of COVID-19.
To make wearing a mask more effective, it is important to remember that masks Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools / January 7, 2022 5 | P a g e
should:
• Be medical grade (strongly recommended), or be made of three layers of sturdy cotton (2 layers of tightly woven fabric with a filter in the centre).
• Fit properly (no gaps, wire for the bridge of the nose).
• Be clean (frequently laundered, changed more than once per day).
• Be handled appropriately (clean hands, not left on surfaces, never shared).
• Be doubled if they are thin and do not meet the criteria of listed above.
Students or staff who demonstrate any COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to go home immediately, and in the event that this is not possible, they will be isolated within the school building. Please have a plan to pick up your child in the event that they become symptomatic over the course of the day
MASKING GUIDELINES - CHANGES UPDATE: JANUARY 10, 2021/2022
Pre-Kindergarten
• We recognize that wearing masks properly can be challenging for younger students. For this reason, we recognize that students may require instruction and demonstration as to how to mask properly.
• Masks are required in common areas (hallways, bathrooms and foyers) and when classroom cohorts are intermingled.
• Masks are strongly recommended in classrooms.
• When outside, masks are not necessary, but we encourage students to practice physical distancing.
• Masks are mandatory on the school bus, to and from school and to any school sanctioned event.
Grades K-12
• Masks are required in all situations.
• When students are in class, seated, all facing the same direction, and not interacting with others, they may remove their mask for short breaks, at the discretion of the teacher.
• Masking is not required during physical activity.
• When outside, masks are not necessary, but we encourage students to practice physical distancing.
• Students will not be required to mask during strenuous physical exertion and while eating and drinking.
• Masks are mandatory on the school bus, to and from school, and to any school sanctioned event.
Staff
• Masks are required in all situations.
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN 2021-2022
Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools / January 7, 2022 - Page 6
• When staff can ensure two metre physical distancing and all students are seated, they can remove their mask.
• Masks are mandatory on the school bus to any school sanctioned event.
In cases where staff or students have obtained a medical exemption from a physician, psychologist, or nurse practitioner, they will not be required to wear a mask and will be welcome to fully participate in all school events.
Medical Note for Mask Exception
We understand the delicate balance of physical and mental wellness, and we will continue to adjust our health measures in accordance with the pandemic situation in the province and the health and safety of our community. Please be assured that we endeavour to provide students and staff with a safe, caring, and Christ-centered environment in which to teach and learn.
***PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ONGOING MASK BREAKS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY.
Positive COVID-19 Cases within our schools & Tracking
Although AHS will no longer be informing schools of positive cases, GSACRD schools will continue its practice of collecting and reporting on positive cases. We will rely on the voluntary disclosure of our families. When families inform us that a student in one of our schools has tested positive for COVID-19 (by RAT or PCR Test), we will notify parents/guardians of students in the class and adhere to the following guidelines:
• Classroom contacts will be informed via email.
• School administration will keep track of confirmed cases on our division website.
• Please note that all case numbers are approximate as they are through voluntary disclosure.
• When a single K-9 class reports 3 cases in a 5-day period, the class will transition to online learning for up to 10 calendar days.
• When a single K-9 class reports 20% absenteeism due to illness for three consecutive days, the class will transition to online learning for up to 10 calendar days, even if the illnesses are not confirmed COVID-19 cases.
• In grades 10-12, absenteeism will be monitored by grade, and decisions to transition to online learning will be made if and when it is feasible to so.
• Classroom contacts are not being asked to isolate at this time.
Parents of children who test positive have a legal obligation to keep their child in isolation in accordance with the COVID-19 protocols set out by AHS. Please check https://www.alberta.ca/isolation.aspx and adhere to the required isolation measures.
To view an up to date list of Covid positive cases that are being reported to GSACRD, please click on the following link:
Mental Health & Wellness
Parents and caregivers can also access the following additional supports
An easy-to-access hub so that youth mental health remains top of mind, and our communities are able to easily access the education, tools, support, and reliable information they need.
Togetherall is a free online community, available to all 16+ Albertans. The community is a safe place to support your mental health 24/7. Kids Help Phone: Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. We offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text- based support to young people in both English and French. o 1-800-668-6868 Text 686868 Mental Health Help Line: The Mental Help Line is a 24 hour, 7 day a week confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concerns. o English (1-877-303-2642) o French (1-800-567-9699) AHS: Help in Tough Times - Important Hotlines of Support Hope for Wellness Help Line: This line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada in Cree, Ojibwe and Inuktitut.
Don't miss our Pre-K/Kindergarten Open House!
Please register today by clicking on the link below and we are looking forward to sharing more information about the programming we offer.
SAA Pre-K/Kindergarten Registration Form
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Parking - Joseph Demko area
Prime Minister's Award nominations for Teachers
Just a kind note to let all of our families know that the Prime Minister's award for excellence in teaching is now open to nominations! Please see the link below if you are interested in nominating a teacher today.
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/home.nsf/html/pma_site-select-eng.html
SAA Friends Report!
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Parish Information
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Holy Family Parish News
Click on the HF Parish Link to access the weekly bulletin for Holy Family Parish