Parent Peek at the Week
Week of June 1st, 2020
It's June!
It's hard to believe that it's June already! In any other year, this is a busy time....end of year celebrations, classroom clean ups, report cards, making final memories....this year is no different! The big difference this year is that we have to take a bit of time to figure out what it all means in a new, virtual world.
This coming week we'll be letting you know about our plans for a virtual Kindergarten Orientation/Transition, our Grade 6 leaving celebrations and several other "wrap up pieces". By now you all will have received a phone call from Mrs. E regarding the process for picking up your child's personal belongings. I have also sent out an email, and there is information listed below. We thank you in advance for following the protocol laid out by the school board and the local Health Unit to ensure that we do this in the safest way possible. It's also very important that you come to the school at your assigned time, to ensure we don't experience overcrowding. If you are unable to make your assigned time, please contact me directly.
We're fortunate to have had some beautiful weather lately - I hope you and your family have had a chance to relax and connect with each other. One of the great benefits of all being in our homes is the chance to spend so much great time together!
As we move into this last month, I know there will be additional questions you may have. Please feel free to get in touch any time - we're here for you....from a distance!
Take care of yourself and each other AND stay safe,
Mrs. Sampson
A few photos from our last week of distance learning....
Cheyenne donated 13 inches of her hair!
The Tambre boys all shaved head for P4H
Eloise and Evelyn were busy painting
Sammy working on a bridge for Mrs. Oddie
Rhea telling time with a floor clock
Elijah did some research on sharks
Retrieval of Personal Belongings
Although Mrs. E. has already been in touch with each of you, we wanted to follow up with an email.
We know that students and families have been anxious to retrieve personal belongings. We have collaborated with local health authorities to finalize our process to allow access to student belongings, in a structured way, which respects physical distancing. Please ensure only 1 adult comes to retrieve belongs. Wherever possible, please do not bring your children along.
The following process has been developed to allow everyone to safely retrieve their belongings and return library books should you choose.
1. Families are invited to retrieve their belongings at specific time slots based on the FIRST LETTER OF YOUR CHILD’S LAST NAME. By appointment time-slots are limited and must be arranged through the principal, by email, if you are unable to make your designated time.
Tuesday, June 2nd
Wednesday, June 3rd
9:00-10:30: Last name beginning with A - B
10:30-12:00: Last name beginning with C - D
1:00-2:30: Last name beginning with D - H
2:30-4:00: Last name beginning with J - L
Wednesday, June 3rd
9:00-10:30: Last name beginning with M - O
10:30-12:00: Last name beginning with P - R
1:00-2:30: Last name beginning with S - V
2:30-4:00: Last name beginning with W - Z
2. Please note the COVID-19 notice on the front door entrance. If you answer “yes” to any of the questions outlined below you may not enter the building. Please contact the school if this applies to you and we will consider another option. The questions are as follows:
· Do you have any of the following symptoms: fever, a new or chronic cough?
· Have you returned from travel outside of Ontario within the last 14 days?
· Have you had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID19 within the last 14 days?
If you continue to be uncertain, please utilize this Self Assessment.
3. Entrance to the building will be through the main doors only by Mrs. E’s Office. There could be line-ups and a period of time waiting outside so we ask for your patience and understanding. Please adhere to proper physical distancing for yourself and your children. Minimize the number of family members that come to the school and if possible the parent should come alone.
4. Mrs. E will be outside the school to record the name of your family coming into the school and the time.
5. When there is room, Mrs. E will have you enter the building and meet Mrs. Sampson. Hand sanitizer must be utilized and will be available at entrances and exits.
6. Please note that bathrooms and water fountains will not be available during this visit.
7. Teachers will have gathered individual student belongings and placed them outside their classrooms on the floor. Student belongings and names will be clearly marked. Please collect your child’s belongings as quickly as possible and exit the building and school grounds, touching as few surfaces as you can. If another parent is in the vicinity, please wait in the hallway maintaining physical distancing rules.
8. Please return any library books to the cart located in the main hallway upon entering.
9. Your exit point will be the alternate front doors by the library. A staff member will be there to ask your name and note your time of exiting the building. Please do not return to the main door to exit the building.
10. If you have children with different last names, please retrieve all belongings during one visit.
11. Parking: To ensure that we can have a line that respects social distancing, the front school parking lot will be closed. Please come to the school just prior to your allotted time. There will be no parking available in front of the school.
Thank you for your cooperation with this process, which will help everyone retrieve their belongings safely.
A few other bits of information......
Story time with Mrs. Sampson
Unfortunately, due to the process of retrieving student belongings, I am unable to provide a story time this week. I hope to be able to be back at it again next week! In the meantime, feel free to re-listen to any of the four previous books. The links to each read aloud can be found in the document in your child's Edsby class homepage (on the left hand side by the Kawarth Heights Dashboard).
Access to School Playgrounds
As the province begins to re-open areas and businesses, we wanted to clarify access to school fields and playgrounds. School fields may be walked-through, but group activities are still not allowed on our grounds at this time. Playground equipment also continues to be off limits. We know that schoolyards are important green spaces in many communities, however these are not currently deemed safe places for children to play. There are concerns about touch points on playgrounds, and the need for physical distancing means continuing to avoid gathering in public spaces.
Special Education Resources for Students and Parents
In collaboration with our partner community agencies, our Special Education Department is committed to providing on-line resources that support various learning needs, as well as those that support mental health and well-being. Please visit our website at the following links to explore these further:
- Special Education Resources and Community Agency Partners
- Mental Health Resources
- #LearningAtHome Resources
June 5 – PA Day (Elementary)
Just a reminder that Friday, June 5 is a Professional Activity Day dedicated to assessment and evaluation for final report cards. Teachers will provide work for students on that day, however, they will be focusing on preparing final reports. Therefore you may have a delayed response to emails or messages.
Transition to Crestwood Intermediate School
A reminder that all updates regarding the move to Crestwood Intermediate can be found at: http://www.kprschools.ca/en/newintermediates.html
Moving Over the Summer?
If your family happens to be moving over the summer - please let us know at your earliest convenience. We create classes based on who is coming and who is going - so the most current information is always the best! Just email Mrs. Sampson at jennifer_sampson@kprdsb.ca. We are also continuing to take all new Kindergarten registrations. Thank you!
Lunchbox Order Refunds
Here is an update from Lunchbox Orders:
We wanted to share an update on the communication sent last week. Please note, Lunchbox Orders will be waiving the refund transaction fee for refunds processed with the extended school closures due to Covid-19. If a parent has paid the transaction fee in recent weeks, the fee will be returned to their payment card. Our team will be contacting those families directly to confirm the fee return.
New School Bus Rider Program
It may seem like it's a long way off - but it's really not! Below please see the information for the New School Bus Rider Program, that will be held on August 28th and 29th.
Kawartha Heights Family Dashboard
If you are looking for some alternate activities to do with your family, the Kawartha Heights Family Dashboard is for you! You can find the link below, but you can also access it any time in the top left corner of your child's classroom homepage on Edsby.
Pedal for Hope
- Several families have asked for the link to use if you want to donate to our team. We can be found at www.cancer.ca/pedalforhope. You don't have to be an "official" team member to support (although you're more than welcome). If you're able to support the team by donating even $5 or $10, it would be greatly appreciated. As of today, we're at 95% of our goal. Please help us to finish the last few kilometres to get our Cougar to Vancouver, BC.
- There are 3 special things happening this week:
1. We continue to accept any last student creations for 30 second promo videos for Pedal for Hope. One last video will be selected for our morning announcements on Friday.
2. IF we make our fundraising goal of $4,500, the students decided I have to wear everything backwards for one whole day! I'm game....but first we need about $150 more :)
3. Our top 3 fundraisers will be receiving a drive by parade from our staff and a few special invited guests on Thursday. We are unable to post the parade route, in order to ensure we are not going against Health Unit protocols. We will be heading out from the school around noon and will be on several main streets in our community. If you see us or hear our horns and celebrations, you know what it's all about! If you are outside when we pass by, please just ensure that any gathering of people does not exceed a group of 5.
Just one more thing....
During the past week, our world has continued to experience challenges that can lead to feelings of uncertainty and worry for our children. Focusing on statements like, “You’re safe. You can handle this. We will get through this together,” instead of dismissing with comments like, “Everything’s okay,” or “It’s not something you need to worry about.” is a wonderful approach.
Jennifer Sampson
Email: Jennifer_sampson@kprdsb.ca
Website: KawarthaHeights.kprdsb.ca
Location: 11 Kawartha Heights Blvd, Peterborough, ON, Canada
Phone: (705)742-7521
Twitter: @KawarthaHPS