Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Please note the following information:

Morning Arrival at School
  • Parents will not be allowed entry into the school or onto any of the designated school yards.
  • Parents are strongly encouraged to walk their child(ren) to school.
  • Staff will be at the Lyall path, Front Gate and in the West lot (former Convent property) to assist with the students as they arrive.
  • If you are driving, please note that there is No entry or parking in Notre Dame / Church lot. Parking on Lyall is discouraged.  Drive to the Lyall Ave. pathway entrance, allow your children to exit and a staff member will be there to guide your child into the yard. allowing for traffic flow.
  • Drive-through entry into the West lot (Convent lot) will be provided.  You will not be able to park but staff will be there to receive your child.  Cars will drive in, staff will greet your child and you will loop around to exit.  Please be patient and courteous as we want to maximize smooth traffic flow.
ONLY STAFF WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARK IN THE CONVENT LOT
- As you exit the lot, please turn right onto Kingston Rd. to avoid traffic in the lot.
- KINDERGARTEN PARENTS ONLY:  Your children will gather in the front yard – facing Kingston Rd. Staff will be at the front gate to greet your child and direct them to their designated area.



First Day Guidelines
  • Parents will be notified today via email/phone who their child’s teacher is this school year. Your child’s teacher will be in the assigned area by 8:30 to welcome your child.
  • Staff on yard supervision will assist your child in locating their assigned area.
  • Students will line up, with appropriate social distancing, and students will be asked to show their signed Self-Assessment form (COVID-19 Passport) to their teacher while in line outside.
  • Teachers will have hand sanitizer ready for your child to use prior to entry into the building
  • Classes will then enter the building as directed by their teachers, respecting social distancing, along the right side of the staircase.



St. John AM and PM Recesses
  • All students will have snack and break in their classes (10:12 – 10:27 and 1:40 – 1:55)
  • Students are to remain in their seats during this time.
  • Staff will supervise rooms during this time.
  • Classroom teachers will select 2, 15 minute blocks (one in the AM and one in the PM) for recess.
  • The recess blocks will allow teachers to select a time that fits best within their daily schedule and will have a maximum of 6 classes in the various zones in the yard at one time.
  • Classroom teachers will supervise their own class outdoors.
  • Students will hand sanitize before re-entry.

St. John Lunch Hour – 11:15 – 12:15
  • Lunch will be staggered to allow for physical distancing and students will eat in their cohort classrooms and bring their own food (no sharing will be permitted).
  • Lunch will be divided into 30 minute sessions with half of the school eating while the other half is outdoors for recess.
  • Boomerang lunch
  • No lunches to be dropped off
  • Students are to remain at school for lunch.
  • Protocols for lunch will be enforced to ensure student safety.

St. John End of Day – 3:00 PM
  • Masks to be worn until off school property and students must not remain on school grounds after 3 pm.
  • No parking in the Notre Dame lot – walk only
Kindergarten Classes: Pick up from front yard
Grade 1 - 3: Classes will be located at the trees near the N.D parking.
Grade 4 - 8: Students will be dismissed and expected to leave the yard promptly.  Parents may want to determine a designated meeting spot off school property if needed.
After Care: Aftercare staff will gather students as per previous years
Bus Students: Will be called to a designated area as in previous years



Entering, Moving Throughout and Exiting the School
  • Classrooms will be organized to encourage the maximum space between students.
  • Floors will be marked with decals to designate a one-way traffic flow and identifying 2 metre distances in key areas.
  • Signage will be placed throughout the building to reinforce safety protocols.
  • Entries/exits will be dedicated to classes/cohorts.
  • Signage about hand washing and proper respiratory etiquette will be posted.
  • Schools will significantly limit visitors, including parents/guardians. Any essential visitors to the school will be required to conduct a COVID-19 health screening at the designated school entrance (front office), sign in and out and will be required to wear a medical mask while on school property.  Visitors will sanitize hands upon entry.
  • Late arrivals and early pick ups will use the front door only. 
  • Parent /guardian will ring the bell and wait for a staff member to bring the child to you or greet your child
  • Office staff will meet you at the front door, as required, to sign out student.
  • Alcohol-based sanitizers will also be available throughout the school and at designated entry and exit points.

Consideration with the Learning Environment
Program Specialty Subjects:
Core French will be taught in the cohort classroom.  Students will not travel to different rooms.
Physical Education will be taught outdoors whenever possible, following safety practices in place for students entering and exiting the building and students. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.
Gifted: Details to follow.

Notre Dame Students at St. John
  • Staff and students from Notre Dame will enter and exit St. John using the stairwell located at the front of the school – using the blue door directly to the left of the main doors. They will walk directly to the 3rd floor to minimize contact with St. John staff and students.
  • Number of classrooms used has been reduced to 3
  • N.D. students will use the single use washroom in their designated area.  If absolutely necessary, use of the washroom on the St. John side can be used / or return to N.D main campus


Warm regards,
Ann DeAgazio
Principal
St. John School