Friday, September 3, 2021
To All KPR Families,
We’re almost there! School starts this Tuesday, September 7. We are excited to be able to gather in person with most students and staff once again! We also look forward to working with students and families who chose virtual learning for September.
This week’s update includes new resources flowing from the Return to School Plan we shared August 19.
I would like to share a personal video message with everyone. Please take a minute to watch this back-to-school video. We approach the coming year with hope and optimism, while ensuring that we follow all required COVID-19 protocols in our gradual return to the many activities that enrich school life.
The first day of school is one of the most exciting days of the year for many staff, students and families. To celebrate, we welcome you to share first day pictures, using #kprfirstday on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. We can hardly wait to see your posts!
Attached are several posters about our COVID protocols, based on provincial guidelines. We hope you will find these useful for self-screening and preparing for school each day.
The Minister of Education has asked us to share a message with families today as well. Please click here to read it.
Enjoy the long weekend and see you next week!
Sincerely,
Rita Russo
Director of Education
Updated School Screening Tool
The provincial government has updated the school screening tool. It now includes shortened COVID symptom lists that are specific to students versus employees and visitors; a reduced timeline for isolation in case of possible COVID exposure (10 days instead of 14); and guidance for individuals who are fully vaccinated. The screening tool is available online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
If your child is ill, please keep them at home. If your child has any of the symptoms listed in the screening tool, please follow the directions provided about isolation and testing. The attached posters include a screening tool summary with the new symptom lists and our illness protocol. They also outline how we will communicate with families about COVID cases in schools.
Please be sure to complete the screening every day for every child in your family.
Vaccination
As part of the province-wide COVID-19 vaccination campaign, health units are coordinating voluntary walk-in clinics at select KPR schools during September and October. Appointments will not be required. See details here. We also will send details on nearby clinics via School Messenger to local school communities. All vaccination clinics will take place toward the end of the school day and into the evening. Students, staff, families and local community members are able to attend the clinics.
While the province has not made vaccination mandatory for students or staff, it does require staff to disclose their vaccination status to their employer. Staff who decline vaccination must complete rapid tests at least once a week, and more often if needed.
Ventilation
All KPR classrooms and learning spaces will be serviced by portable HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter units or mechanical HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) air exchange systems. In addition, all Kindergarten, Learning and Life Skills and music classrooms, as well as childcare spaces will have portable HEPA units.
More information about ventilation in schools is available on our website. You can access it here.
COVID Protocols
We continue to receive provincial guidance about COVID protocols and to work collaboratively with our four local public health units. KPR is taking a gradual, cautious approach to resuming school activities during September, to ensure health and safety while we monitor the local public health situation.
Please note the following:
- Grades 1-12 students and all staff must wear masks indoors and on school buses; Kindergarten students are strongly encouraged to wear masks. Please send students with an extra mask in case one gets dirty.
- Music, field trips, nutrition programs, cafeteria use, clubs, extra-curricular activities and inter-school sports may resume gradually, with safety protocols including masking, distancing and capacity limits.
- There will be no indoor assemblies at this time. Outdoor gatherings can take place, with health and safety protocols in place.
- Volunteers and regular visitors are not permitted at this time while we work through the new vaccination disclosure guidelines. Scheduled parent meetings and orientations with staff may continue.
- Enhanced cleaning procedures remain in effect
- Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette are very important! Please see attached resources for reminders to share with students.
- Students do not have to remain in their class cohorts while outside and do not have to wear masks outdoors. Students will be permitted to use playgrounds and outdoor equipment; hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette will be emphasized.
- Students can share learning materials in the classroom; students will be reminded to wash or sanitize their hands when using shared items.
- There will be no high-contact sports played indoors at this time (for example, basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, wrestling), but these activities may continue outdoors.
- Should there be a confirmed case of COVID, the health unit will oversee all case and contact management, and identify steps students and staff must take, such as testing, self-isolation or self-monitoring; families and staff will be informed of confirmed cases, as soon as possible.
- If exposed to COVID, fully vaccinated individuals may not be required to isolate, provided they have no symptoms; local health units will make these decisions in each case, and communicate with those directly affected.
If you have not yet done so, we encourage you to review our Return to School Plan .
Free Mental Health Parent Conference
All KPR parents, caregivers and staff are invited to join us online at our free, 20th Annual Virtual Parent Conference:
Saturday, October 16
9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Featuring Dr. David Templeman
You’ve Got This! Mental Health After COVID: Getting Back to Normal
While the event is free of charge, registration is required. Please register here.
Registrants will receive a link to the virtual presentation, and benefit from practical advice on supporting your child's or teen's mental health from Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. David Templeman. He is an engaging speaker and author of A Teenager's Guide to Life: The Secret to Living Life and Being Happy.
This year’s event also marks the Parent Conference’s 20th anniversary. As we “Celebrate 20 Years of Learning!”, we have a special surprise for KPR registrants. Attendees who provide their contact information also will be eligible to win one of five copies of Dr. Templeman’s book.
We offer sincere thanks to the Parent Involvement Committee for their invaluable input and support of the conference each year.