The 2020 year at Ethelbert School is going to look a little different because of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. We will be back to full time programming for all students but the school day and routines will change as we incorporate social distancing and hygiene protocols.
Ethelbert School will be divided into two cohorts. Kindergarten to Grade 6 will be one cohort and students in grades 7 to 12 will make up the second cohort. The Cohorts will be located in opposite areas of the school.
The cohorts will remain in their designated areas and classrooms for the school day. Staff will be moving within the different cohorts for most classes.
***(Important) Prior to leaving home***
Students will need to self-screen at home before going to school. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that self-screening measures occur prior to the student arriving at school. https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/ . If you child does not feel well do not send them to school.
Parents and guardians must ensure that the student has an alternate means of transportation if the student were to become ill at school. The student cannot be transported by bus or staff if they become sick.
Bus drivers will be contacting families to let them know which bus their child will be riding. All buses have assigned seating to allow for social distancing. Students must remain in their assigned seat.
Arrival time – 8:40 am for all students. Staff will meet the buses for staggered unloading. Students will proceed directly to their designated classroom.
Departure – 3:30pm. Students will be directed by staff to proceed for departure. Dismissal will start with staggered loading of bus cohorts, followed by the dismissal of town students. Parents who are picking up their child must inform the office. Pick up will be at the main orange doors.
Recess for the K to 6 cohort is scheduled at the regular times and will be outside, weather permitting. Supervisors will monitor the social distancing of students. Play structure and equipment use will be scheduled. Each classroom will have staggered departures and designated exit/entry areas.
The K to 6 cohort will have lunch in their classrooms. Students are encouraged to bring non microwaveable food as microwaves will be limited or possibly not accessible at this time.
The grade 7 to 12 cohort will have lunch from 12:00 to 1:00pm in the multipurpose room. Grade 7 and 8 students who are town students will be allowed to go home for lunch with parent permission. Town students in grade 9 to 12 are encouraged to have lunch at home.
The gym will be closed during the lunch hour for the grade 7 to 12's. Students must remain in the designated area(multi purpose room) during the lunch hour.
Water Fountains – only touch less water fountains are available for student use. Students will need to bring a water bottle to school..
Students in all grade levels other than kindergarten will have individual desks.
Students will be reminded to maintain physical distancing when in the hallways and are only allowed in designated hallways and open areas. Staff will remind student during recess time to maintain proper distancing.
Another important strategy to prevent contracting or spreading COVID -19 is to wash or sanitize hands regularly. Students in K to 6 have access to hand washing facilities in most classrooms. All classrooms will have hand sanitizer available for use. Teachers will incorporate opportunities for regularly scheduled hand washing/sanitizing throughout the day.
Currently, it is mandated by the provincial government that all students in grades 4 to 12 must wear a protective mask. Masks will be provided by the school to students who do not have one. Masks are to be worn by students who are riding the bus.
Students' supplies will be kept in a designated area within the classroom to be accessed only by that individual student. Lockers are currently not available for use for the grade 7 to 12 students. Students are encouraged to bring a backpack to school to use as a place to store loose belongings.
The above information is taken from the Ethelbert re-opening plan and is provided to give a snapshot of what to expect come September 8th. Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions regarding the upcoming school year.
Warren Heschuk
Principal.