Welcome Back SMS Families

Dear SMS families:

We are welcoming all students back to school starting Monday January 10!

This staff have been working through the logistics to safely welcome students back to school, during the current COVID situation.  What we know concerning the Omicron variant is that it is highly transmissible and has a much lower incubation period.  We believe the safety procedures that we have been using to date are effective, but we will need to re-commit to them in the coming month.  These safety procedures at SMS include frequent hand sanitizing, organized movement throughout the building, and proper masking.

The good news:

• Students are returning to in-person learning!
• There are no plans to return to the cohort model which was in place last school year

Reminders:

• Students will continue to enjoy outdoor activities at lunch time and during PE classes. Please ensure children are wearing winter coats, boots, hats and mitts to school.
• Water bottle are required as there are no water fountains available at school.
• Students do not come to school unless the daily health check is completed at home
• Students will not remain at school when they become ill, the school will contact the family for pick-up
• Lunch programs will begin NEXT week (Tuesday January 18), please bring snacks, lunches 

New mask requirements:

Please read the letter from the superintendent regarding the new masking requirements that are being implemented in our school district (available on the SMS website).  Students are strongly encouraged to use 3 or 4 ply cloth masks or the disposable procedural masks for the next 30 days.  Parents are encouraged to send their children to school with these new masks.  If a student is wearing a single layer cloth mask at school, they will be asked to wear a procedural mask that is provided.  This is because the district is committed to doing all we can to keep our schools open to in-person learning.

In addition to these expectations for students, staff will be encouraged to wear N95 masks and required to wear procedural masks at a minimum.

A recommitment to existing procedures

When students return next week. 

1. Students will line up at their classroom door and cone starting Monday morning just before entering at the proper bell. Gr. 8s will enter at 8:20 and Gr. 6/7s will enter at 8:25.
2. Teachers will be asked to sanitize students’ hands at entry points
3. Students will be expected to wear their masks so that they cover both their mouth and their nose at all times other than when eating and drinking.  
4. On Monday, we will be holding school-wide assemblies using Microsoft TEAMs to review our protocols . In addition, classroom teachers will be reviewing their classroom rules regarding eating and drinking in class.  Please have a conversation with your child about this school expectation and the importance of proper mask use.

Thank you for your commitment to helping reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 within our school population.  I believe that working together through this next wave will allow your children and all others to enjoy education here at SMS together!

Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. 

Kind regards to you and your loved ones,

Sydney Griffith, Principal