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Belle River District High School

Return to School Planning

September 2020

Welcome Back!

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

Getting Ready for School: What do families and Students need to know?

□ Reopening Plan and resources – Back to School Plan for Reopening

□ Reopening Video – Reopening School Video

□ Health resources – Windsor Essex County Health Unit

□ How can I get answers to my questions – Frequently Asked Questions □ Message your teachers and VP on Edsby when schedules are released

□ School Year Calendars – School Year Calendar (Please note this is to be updated)

□ The New School Year at the GECDSB video - Dealing with HAZARDS 2020

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GENERAL INFORMATION FROM SCHOOL

□ Adapted In-School Day (A and B Cohorts) - Secondary

The Greater Essex County District School Board will open its secondary schools with a hybrid model that combines in-person and remote learning. Courses will be delivered in a "quadmester" format, which involves a four-semester school year. Students will have the opportunity to earn two credits at a time, and each quadmester is approximately 45 days of instruction.

We are in compliance with the three Ministry of Education requirements for secondary education:

300 minutes of instruction each day direct and indirect student contacts are limited to approximately 100 students in the school secondary school students are in a maximum of 2 in-person class cohorts

Students will be split into an "A" cohort and a "B" cohort (approximately 15 students in each cohort). Cohort A will attend in-person every Monday and Thursday. Cohort B will attend every Tuesday and Friday. Wednesdays will be split between the two cohorts equally (see chart below). Families will be provided with a calendar that will inform them of each cohort's in-person schedule.

Students will have a 225 minute block of in-person instruction provided each morning on days they are scheduled to be in school. They will then be dismissed to go home and have lunch before participating in a mandatory 75 minute period of on-line, synchronous instruction in the afternoon. On the alternate home days, there will be 225 minutes of asynchronous learning available for student engagement stemming from the previous in-person days' learning.

The school schedule will be as follows:

8:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Cohort A: In class learning, with scheduled nutrition breaks and washroom breaks  Cohort B: Asynchronous learning remotely  12:00 – 1:00 p.m.  Students dismissed to home (staggered exit)

1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Synchronous learning at home for other class

□ First week of school – will feature a staggered start. See chart below On September 14 and 15, all 11s and 12s will follow a typical day with the first period class being 225 min, and after a 60 minute lunch, they will do their second period class for 75 minutes. Both classes will be on-line for grades 11s and 12s on Sept. 14 and 15.

Full details in. Back to School Plan for Reopening

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□ After the first week - we will be following a 4 week quadmester schedule. Where only one cohort will be attending only 1 class per day. Please check the schedule and only come to

school on your days. See chart below describing the schedule. Full details in. Back to School Plan for Reopening

□ Bus Protocol- STEPS buses run as assigned. Students likely enter one at a time, move to the

very back, and fill seats forward as marked/directed. Students must wear masks on the bus. More details may be forthcoming from the bus companies. http://www.buskids.ca/

□ ROOM #, TEACHER/CLASS ASSIGNMENT, TIMETABLE, COHORT –Check your Edsby

Account (still pending)

□ If sick or exhibiting symptoms at school see page 25 in Back to School Plan for Reopening

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□ MASK WEARING - All students and staff are required to wear masks while in the school. Assigned staggered eating times and enforced physical distancing will allow students to remove their masks while eating. Students are encouraged to bring several masks in case one gets soiled or wet. In emergencies, non-medical masks will be provided to students. Students not wearing masks without a medical exemption will be sent home.

Pages 27-31- Back to School Plan for Reopening

□ HAND WASHING – Students must wash or sanitize their hands when entering the building,

entering the classroom, and when coming or going to assigned areas like the washroom. Hand sanitizing stations were installed at entrances and exits plus classrooms without a sink.

Pages 27-31- Back to School Plan for Reopening

□ SOCIAL DISTANCING – All staff and students must maintain a physical distance of two meters

whenever possible or one meter with a mask and precautions. This includes the classroom and offices but always two meters in halls and common areas.

Pages 27-31- Back to School Plan for Reopening

□ Parent drop off and pick up procedures during school day– Only the front entrance will be available once school day has started. Parents are not allowed to enter the building. Please call the front desk and we will bring your child out 519-728-1212.

□ ATTENDANCE – late and absence processes LATE – Classes start at 8:15. Students that arrive late are to report directly to class. The

teacher will mark them late if it is not a parent approved excused late (for example morning appointment or flat tire. Leave early in poor weather, as that is not an excuse).

Students who are habitually late may be referred to the vice principal for counselling and progressive discipline

ABSENCES – Parents / guardians must contact the school as early as possible but no later than 1:00 PM on the day of the absence. Unfortunately, at this time we cannot accept notes. Two methods for contacting the school:

1. Create a planned absence in Edsby using your Edsby parent account. 2. Call the school, 519-728-1212 ext. 1. Leave first and last name, spell it please,

date, and basic reason for the absence. If for only part of the day, leave the times as well.

Students that come after 8:30 or leave before 12:00 pm due to appointments Parents / guardians – please, call 519-728-1212 ext. 1 or submit an Edsby planned absence prior to the start of the school day. The teacher will confirm the absence in the computer or contact the office to clear the absence. The absence must be cleared before the student is allowed to leave the classroom

□ QUAD DATES AND OPT IN/ OPT OUT DATES Quad 1 – September 8 to November 9

Change model for Quad 2 deadline is October 26

Quad 1 Exams on November 10 and 11 Quad 2 – November 12 to January 27

Change model for Quad 3 deadline is January 18

Quad 2 Exams on January 28,29, and February 1 Quad 3 – February 3 to April 16

Change model for Quad 4 deadline is April 6

Quad 3 Exams on April 19 and 20 Quad 4 – April 21 to June 23

Quad 4 Exams on June 24,25 and 28

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□ Visitors- Are not permitted at this point. Please call the school to schedule an appointment if you

feel you need one 519-728-1212. Please realize we will be doing most appointments virtually or over the phone.

□ Locker Materials- Those students who did not pick up locker belongings at the end of the school

year will have their belongings brought to the door of their class over the first few weeks of the quadmester to be taken home that day. Please be patient as this will take time to go through.

□ EDSBY is the main communication tool for Belle River DHS. This includes students, staff, administration, and parents / guardians. Information for students is posted in Belle River Announcements. Parents / guardians that have provided an email address will automatically be sent an invite to activate their Edsby account if they do not already have one. If you did not provide an email then please, contact the school so we may add it. Phone messages may be sent using School Messenger.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

□ Make sure it is your day to come to school!! Only come if your cohort is scheduled that day. □ Conduct a self-assessment- use either listed below

Daily Assessment tool-- Self-Assessment Tool Daily Checklist—Daily Checklist

□ If you show symptoms – PLEASE STAY HOME

□ Lockers will not be used so students should bring needed materials and coats directly to their

classroom. Backpacks are acceptable in all rooms.

□ Bring notebook/binder, textbooks if assigned schools supplies, and required personal items.

□ Snacks, light lunch, water, and drinks are acceptable as long as you can eat them at your desk in the classroom. Please bring a refillable water container. Water fountains are covered but the refill stations work so you may refill your water container. Microwaves and Vending machines are not in service. The cafeteria and lunchrooms are not available. No food or drink deliveries are allowed. Nutrition and washroom breaks are allowed and will be scheduled.

□ Sign out when leaving the class for washroom or appointments and use the assigned washroom. This is required for contact tracing. Check with your teacher for the assigned washroom and use this washroom only. No Wandering.

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

□ Doors open for students at approximately 8:00 AM or shortly after.

□ Do not be shy to ask staff for directions. We will be in the halls to welcome you.

□ Classes begin at 8:15 AM.

□ Students must put on their mask before entering.

□ Students must enter at the front entrance by the office or the entrance by the cafeteria.

□ Students must follow social distancing and directional signage as posted

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□ Students proceed directly to their classroom and sit where assigned.

□ Always maintain a safe distance of two meters. If the classroom is occupied or closed – wait by the locker outside the door and maintain two-meter distance as more students line up.

□ Do not congregate in the halls, common areas, or visit with friends. Stay only with your classroom cohort.

DISMISSAL FROM SCHOOL

□ Classes end at 12:00 PM.

□ Students leave will their class by grade level and exit the building respecting social distance. If you

are not riding a bus, please leave by the closest exit to your class.

□ Students are not to congregate in halls or common areas. The building must be cleared by 12:15 PM unless you have an appointment with a staff member

School and Board Safety Plans pertaining to specific classes:

Gym, Physical Education Classes, Sports and Weight

Rooms

Weight rooms will be closed until further notice.

All Change rooms will be shut down until further notice.

Sports with a high degree of physical contact such as wrestling, rugby, football and basketball as well as tag are not to be played due to lack of physical distancing until further notice and direction.

At this time, Physical Education should take place outdoors and not inside gyms. Classroom cohorts must be separated in a gym by a physical barrier.

Maintaining physical distancing, hygiene (hand washing), and hygiene etiquette and minimizing contact with high touch surfaces. Cleaning and disinfecting. No sharing of equipment.

Classes should take place outdoors. Participation in activities outdoors does not require masks or face coverings, but should support physical distancing and also limit the use of shared equipment unless, absolutely necessary.

Music Classrooms

The playing of wind instruments such as woodwinds and brass are off limits until further notice. Singing is limited to outdoors or in larger venues where physical distancing can be implemented. Most music rooms in our system cannot accommodate the required physical distancing. The focus will be on teaching theory. Percussion and string instruments may be utilized but have to be cleaned and disinfected before and after usage and between Cohorts. No sharing between students Maintaining physical distancing, hygiene (hand washing), and hygiene etiquette and minimizing contact with high touch surfaces. No sharing if possible, cleaning and disinfecting between users. PPE as prescribed.

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Science Classrooms and

Labs

The focus will be on covering curriculum expectations with a focus on theory, as well developing student knowledge and understanding through critical thinking, problem solving tasks and teacher demonstrations.

If lab experiments are to take place the students must physically distance, utilize all applicable PPE as prescribed, cannot share equipment or lab coats, all such equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before and after usage and between Cohorts.

Maintaining physical distancing, hygiene (hand washing), and hygiene etiquette and minimizing contact with high touch surfaces. No sharing, cleaning and disinfecting between users. PPE as prescribed.

Technology Classrooms, Shops and Programs

The focus will be on covering curriculum expectations with a focus on theory, as well developing student knowledge and understanding through critical thinking, problem solving tasks and teacher demonstrations.

While participating in technological shop classes, completing projects, etc., students must physically distance, utilize all applicable PPE as prescribed, cannot share equipment or shop coats / coveralls / chefs coats, rags, gloves, shop PPE, etc., all such equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before and after usage and between Cohorts.

Maintaining physical distancing, hygiene (hand washing), and hygiene etiquette and minimizing contact with high touch surfaces. No sharing, cleaning and disinfecting between users. PPE as prescribed.

Theater Arts and Art Classrooms

(Drama, Dance and Visual Arts)

The focus will be on covering curriculum expectations with a focus on theory, as well developing student knowledge and understanding through critical thinking, problem solving tasks and teacher demonstrations.

While participating in theater arts, art classrooms, drama, dance and visual arts, etc., students must physically distance, utilize all applicable PPE as prescribed, cannot share equipment, props, makeup or costumes / clothing, all such equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before and after usage and between Cohorts. Laundering of costumes and clothing would need to occur if utilized.

Maintaining physical distancing, hygiene (hand washing), and hygiene etiquette and minimizing contact with high touch surfaces. No sharing, cleaning and disinfecting between users. PPE as prescribed.

No large gatherings, assemblies, sporting events with spectators, choirs, singing, woodwind instruments and brass, non-essential visitors, fans, ceiling fans, lockers, weight rooms, and cafeteria services.

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