Hello Westmount Wildcats!  We are so excited to see you very soon!  It’s been a long time since we all had to stay home to stay safe.  We know you’ve learned how to wash your hands and social distance – you will be experts now!

 

For all of our families and students, there are some expectations that we need EVERYONE to follow and respect this year in order for us all to remain safe and healthy at Westmount school.  We are asking all families to read the following list and encourage one another to cooperate and support one another in following these expectations upon our return to school.  

 

This year will be very different.  It’s a different kind of school experience.  Our focus is keeping everyone safe and healthy while they are learning.  The following list of expectations has been developed based on Public Health, Ministry of Education and our School Board directives.  We are grateful for your ongoing patience and support.  We know this is not easy and there may be a lot of angst.  When we all work together, calmly and patiently supporting one another, we will make it a fantastic school year!

1. If you are sick, do NOT come to school.  We want you to stay home and rest until you feel better.  We want you to feel better for 24 hours BEFORE you come back to school.

2.  Everyone is expected to wear a mask when you come onto school property.  Families, we hope you have taken some time to find some comfortable, fun masks for your child.  Please put their name on their mask and if you can, send an extra mask each day (just in case!).  Your child does not have to wear their mask when they go outside for recess or are in gym class.  Where will your child keep their mask at that time?  You could practice with your child where s/he should keep their mask so that it isn’t lost.

3.  Parents and visitors are asked to not enter our building at this time.  We are working to minimize traffic and keep the building super clean for our students and staff.  

4.  Please do NOT drop off items for your child throughout the day if they forget things (ie., their lunch, a water bottle or a raincoat).  We have extra food if your child forgets their lunch and will take care of their needs.  

5.  Please try to make all appointments (doctor, dentist, counselling, etc.,) OUTSIDE of the school day.  Picking up your child mid-day is not ideal.  Please try to avoid this.  If you must attend an appointment, consider coming the next day to school instead of returning/coming to school late.

6.  Students MUST come on time to school this year.  School begins at 9:00am.  Students will meet teachers at their designated meeting place and then enter the building.  If you can not make it to school on time, perhaps you use that day as an at-home learning day and join us the next day.  

7.  We are asking parents not to congregate on the playground.  As you and your child settle into routines, we would ask that you consider meeting your child at a place offsite or away from the playground.  Please move as quickly as possible off the playground when you have all of your family members.  Social distancing must be respected at all times.  

8.  The parking lot is only for staff.  We are encouraging all students to walk to school.

9.  The playground structure is CLOSED during the school day.  It is not available immediately before and after the school day.

10.  Students are only required to bring one set of shoes.  They will wear these shoes inside and outside of the school right now.  If it rains and they wear rain boots, they are welcome to bring a pair of shoes to wear inside the building.  They will take both the boots and shoes home that day after school.

11.  We are asking students to minimize what they bring to school.  Please leave all toys at home.  All that is required is a backpack, lunch and perhaps several water bottles for the day.  These should be labelled with your child’s name.  

12.  Water fountains are closed.  Our water bottle filling stations are available but ours require touching to make them work;  they are not censored.  You may want to send several water bottles with your child to get them through the day in order to avoid touching the filling stations.

13.  Staff will be communicating with families via online classrooms.  Please make sure your teacher has your email address.

14.  Given the protocols that we have to follow if your child becomes ill during the day, we are asking that you please make an extra effort to ensure that the school can always reach you.  We will need you or someone to come immediately to pick up your child if we call.  

 

This is quite a list, yes?!  We are excited to be back together again but it is necessary to strictly follow the above guidelines for us all to remain safe.

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your classroom teacher online.  They will be more than happy to support you in any way they can.  Our office staff and administration are also available to answer questions.  We want you to feel safe and comfortable that your children are being cared for and supported.  This will be a different year, but a special one.  We look forward to partnering with you in supporting your child’s growth and development in 2020-2021!

 

Take good care,

 

Westmount Staff