PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
We are so pleased to have students back at school, as it has been quite some time since we have had regular schooling for students. Our school start-up has gone well to date, and students are adjusting to the new safety rules and regulations that have been set out by Public Health.
You will notice that some schools have different practices in place, and these differences are unique to each school. However, all schools are following the Public Health directives. Safety is our first priority at Greater Gatineau, and our goal is to have a safe, educational and fun school year.
IF YOUR CHILD IS SICK
We have been issued strict directives from Public Health regarding children and staff coming to school when they are sick. We must follow these directives, for the safety of all.
If your child has any of these symptoms, they MUST stay home (the same is true for staff):
- Fever
- Stomach Ache
- Vomiting
- Cough
- Sore Throat
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Aching muscles
- Intense Fatigue
- Major loss of appetite
- Loss of smell
Please keep your child home if they are experiencing any of these symptoms. They may return 24 hours after they are symptom free for all symptoms except fever. If they had a fever, they must remain home 48 hours after the fever is gone.
If your child has any of these symptoms at school, they will be isolated in our “Covid Rm” until someone can come and pick them up. This requires pulling a staff member from their duties to get into protective gear and wait with the child until they are picked up.
NEW – If your child is sent home from school because they are sick – you will be required to fill out a form for them upon their return.
We understand that this is disruptive to parents, but we are obliged to follow these Public Health Directives. Please be patient and understanding if we call you to pick up your child.
NEW – Public Health has advised us that as of today, if a child is sick – their sibling can come to school if they are not experiencing any symptoms.
NEW PICK UP TIME 2:25 P.M.
Starting Tuesday September 15, our pick up time at the back field on rue Guillemette will start at 2:25 p.m. (instead of at 2:20 p.m.)
WASHROOM RENOVATIONS
Our main washrooms are still undergoing renovations and should be complete in early October. Until this time, we have a portable washroom trailer that will be used by some classes. They have flush toilets, and sinks for washing hands. We have a staff member assigned to supervise these washrooms throughout the day.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Classes are reviewing and practicing our emergency procedures: Fire Drill (lock-out) and Code Red (lock-in). we will be practicing these drills school-wide this month.
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
On Wednesday September 15th at 6:00 p.m., we will be hosting our virtual “Meet the Teacher Night”. At 6:00 p.m., please check the email from your child’s homeroom teacher, and you will find the curriculum and information regarding your child for the year. It is very important that you review this information.
GOVERNING BOARD GENERAL ASSEMBLY – VIRTUAL
The Governing Board: A True Decision-Making Team. Bill 180 created a form of partnership between users of the school (i.e. parent) and the school staff and also recognizes that the school must maintain links with the community. The Governing Board makes important decisions regarding the school, and gives input to the School Board about their policies. The Governing Board meets approximately 5 times a year in the evening.
Elections for Governing Board will take place on September 16th at 7:00 p.m., via Zoom. Please come to the meeting to run for a position, or to elect a parent member. We will also be nominating a parent for the school board special education advisory committee (SEAC). Any parent of a child with an IEP can put their name forward for this committee and one parent will be elected.
If you would like to attend the virtual Governing Board General Assembly, please send Mr. Tremblay an email, asking for the link to join the meeting.
Please indicate your name, as well as your child’s name in the email:
MASKS
As you are aware, Public Health has directed that grade 5 and 6 students must wear masks on the bus, and in all common areas. The WQSB strongly recommends that all students wear a mask while travelling on the bus. Please remember that it is very important to wash your child’s mask (re-useable) daily. The mask is only effective if it is washed. The blue/white medical masks are effective for a period of 4 hours.
TRIBES REWARD
We are proud to announce that our Tribes Popsicle stick bucket is full! Students have been doing a wonderful job of following the Tribes Agreements during recesses. The reward for students will be Pajama Day and Rice Krispies Treats (individually packaged), on Thursday September 17th, 2020.
Congratulations to all students!
ORANGE SHIRT DAY
September 30th is a day when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada and learn more about the history of those schools. We invite everyone to wear and orange shirt on September 30th.
MEDICATION
It is the policy of the Western Quebec School Board that no medication is to be given to any student without a doctor’s authorization and written consent of parents indicating the time of administering the dosage. Parental Authorization Forms are available at the office or on the website. Medication must be delivered to the school office by a parent or guardian and must be in the original prescription bottle/container. Over the counter medication can’t be dispensed by school staff unless there is a doctor’s note.
DAYCARE
We are still accepting registrations for our before and after school daycare program. If you would like more information either on PD days or to register your child, please call Jennifer at (819) 643-6365 or e-mail jplaxton@wqsb.qc.ca.
The deadline to secure your spot at daycare is September 30th.
SHOES/RUBBER BOOTS
If it is raining and you would like your child to wear rubber boots, they can bring their running shoes in a plastic bag that day. They will leave their boots outside of their locker/cubby and put on their shoes. Students won’t put their boots in the locker, as we are reducing the number of contact points that students touch, as per Public Health Directives.
ELECTRONICS/PHONES/SMART WATCHES
These devices are NOT permitted at school, or on the school bus. Please ensure that your child does not bring an electronic device to school.
COVID UPDATES
To date, we have not had any confirmed cases of Covid at the school. If we do have a case, we will be notifying parents as per the Directives that Public Health will provide.
ALLERGIES
We have a few different types of allergies in our school. Specific letters will be going home to those classes affected.
However, our whole school still remains a peanut /nut free school.
COMMUNICATION
The two forms of communication we will use this year are:
- The “REMIND” app, where information will be sent to all parents (you must sign up for the free app: http://greatergatineau.wqsb.qc.ca/parent/remind-app/
- Email from your child’s teachers (please check email daily).
At times you may receive the same information twice (ie – newsletters), we apologize for the inconvenience.
SUBWAY LUNCHES
We will be offering Subway lunches in October for all parents who wish to purchase. Meals are individually wrapped and prepared following all of the guidelines from Public Health. More information will follow.
TRIBES AT HOME
Mutual Respect
What does it look like, sound like and feel like to respect others, yourself and things around you?
Talk about this with your family to set the tone for the school year.
Appreciations
Give compliments not putdowns to others. This applies at school and at home.
Share ways you can do this with your family.
Attentive Listening
Show people you are listening by stopping what you are doing and looking at them when they talk.
Listen to understand not to respond.
Participation
Things are better when everyone participates. What does each person need in order to take part? Do you need to modify things in the environment or the activity itself?