August 14, 2020 (updated August 17, 2020)
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To All Students, Families and Staff:
Like all of you, I share your concerns and hopes for the safest, measured and student-centered reentry into our schools in September 2020. I acknowledge right from the outset that the level of concern and uncertainty that remains in our community, and for our children and families as we prepare our schools for start-up has created challenges not before faced.
Today, we are as an organization are sharing our planning as best we can provide at this moment for elementary schools, secondary schools, special education, children's mental health supports and public health protocols. I reiterate at this moment, and with the most recent provincial government direction, we continue to plan and ready the entire HPEDSB for school start-up for all students and staff, now two weeks away. It is also very important to share with families, that direction from the Ministry of Education and guidance from public health may change at any time, causing us to reorganize our plans, as well.
To assist in school re-entry and to support consistency in messaging for all schools in our communities_and in conjunction with the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board and the Limestone District School Board_students will return to school on a staggered entry. By adopting a staggered entry, we will be able to identify potential classroom and school challenges we may not have considered nor planned for. It also allows for a gentle and measured return to school, with an emphasis on supporting our youngest learners and Grade 9 students who might already have a heightened level of anxiety after being out of school for approximately the last five months.
STAGGERED ENTRY TO THE START OF SCHOOL
Thursday, September 3, 2020
- First day of school for all JK-Grade 4 students who have indicated they will return to school in person
- These students will only attend school this day; their second day of school will be Tuesday, September 8
- For students in a 4/5 split class: the Grade 4 students attend on September 3 and the Grade 5 students attend on September 4
- First day of school for all Grade 9 students who have indicated they will return to school in person
- They will attend classes through a quadmester timetable
Friday, September 4, 2020
- First day of school for all Grade 5-8 students who have indicated they will return to school in person
- Their second day of school will be Tuesday, September 8, 2020
- First day of school for Grade 10 students who have indicated they will return to school in person
- They will attend classes through a quadmester timetable
- Second day of school for Grade 9 students
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
- First day of school for all Grade 11-12 students who have indicated they will return to school in person
- They will attend classes through a quadmester timetable
- Full return to school for all students
Please take the time to review the Return to School Plan and the relevant parts that apply to your family. As well, continue to monitor HPEschools.ca, @HPEschools social media, as well as school social media for updates.
We will continue to do our absolute best to communicate and inform you of changes that impact you.
Take care and stay positive.
Sincerely,
Sean Monteith
Director of Education