Letter from the Principal: Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year

August 28, 2020

Hi and welcome to the 2020-2021 school year.

Hello Everyone:

We look forward to seeing your child/children on Thursday, September 10.

The SMS September start-up is unique. We realize that home learning in March and hybrid learning in June was challenging for families across the province. Thank-you for your patience, support, and kindness. We will continue to communicate with staff and families as we meet this phase in student learning.

I am impressed by the care and commitment that the SMS staff demonstrated last year. I was able to meet the staff in June and I am humbled and honoured to be leading this caring and committed team of professionals as we prepare for the start of the school year.

 This school year will look different. School District 83, following the direction of the Ministry of Education and Dr. Bonnie Henry, has developed a return to school safety plan that SMS will be implementing and designing to meet the specific needs of our students and the physical setting we all work and learn in each day.

The plan is different than the plan in June. Prior to students arriving, staff will be meeting, learning, planning and implementing the numerous protocols based on SD83 direction from our Senior Leadership Team. As you may have already noted, the return to school information is frequently being updated and will require parents to visit the school website or the SD83 website to best feel informed. There is quite a bit of reading — but it will help parents understand what is being done.

 At this time, I would like to share the following:

• Students will begin school on Thursday, September 10.

• This will be a full day of school. Buses will run regular schedule this day.

• Students from grades 6-12 will be required to wear masks while riding the school bus, as directed by the Ministry of Education. Masks will be available on buses and at school for those in need. Please see Transportation Information posted on our website.

SMS students will be required to wear masks, at times, when inside the building and at any time they are away from their cohort. Students will be organized into cohorts of 60 students as per BC Ministry of Health ministerial orders.

• All SMS staff will be at school on Tuesday, September 8 and 9 carefully learning and implementing our school return plan.

• Parents / caregivers are to conduct at home health checks each morning prior to sending their child to school. A form will come home with other start up items for parents to complete online. (Parent Connect)

• It is mandatory for students to stay home when sick.

• Regular handwashing will continue throughout the day. Hand sanitizer is available for students at every entrance and students may also bring their own.

• Students are not allowed to share food.

• Students need a water bottle; fountains are closed but we have more than one filtered bottle filling station. Water bottles should be labeled with the students first and last name.

• Parents/caregivers – Students need labels/names on their personal items.

• Students will not be allowed to share personal items.

• Additional cleaning will be provided throughout the day as we have daytime custodial.

There will be more information to follow next week!

Kind regards,

Sydney Griffith,

Principal