Wednesday August 26, 2020
As we approach the new school year, we are working hard with the Ministry of Education and the Local Health Units to adequately prepare for the safe reopening of our schools. Building a safe, effective learning experience with new parameters for our students who come with diverse learning needs and identities is a key priority. Given the complex nature of the planning required and the focus on keeping students safe, we are planning a staggered start for our schools this year.
As health guidelines and information continue to be shared with schools, we are staggering the first day of school for students to give our staff time to familiarize themselves with new policies and ensure proper implementation to avoid making mistakes once students return. This means that different grades will return to school on different days (see chart below). A staggered response is essential for students to have the space and flexibility to practice their new routines and familiarize themselves with how to safely move around the school without every other student doing so simultaneously.
We understand that there are urgent requests for normalcy and a simple return to the old status quo. However, to ensure our community is as prepared and confident as possible, we ask for patience and support during this year’s reopening. We are all eager to see our students back in the classroom and reconnect with their friends and peers, but we must take extra steps to prioritize everyone’s health and well-being.
Staggered Entry Start Schedule
| Day | K-6-School | K-8 School | 7-12 School | 9-12 School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tues. Sept. 8 | – | – | – | – |
| Wed. Sept. 9 | SK-2 | SK-2 | 7-8 | 9 |
| Thurs. Sept. 10 | 3/4 | 3/4/5 | 9-10 | 10 |
| Friday Sept.11 | 5/6 | 6/7/8 | 11/12 | 11/12 |
| Schools have the option to stagger JK re-entry with all students in attendance by Tues. Sept 15. | ||||
