September 24, 2020 Update:

Good afternoon everyone,

The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division wishes to provide the following update regarding extra and co-curricular activities in our divisions schools:

Holy Spirit Catholic School Division remains committed to following the established health measures and guidelines that were implemented to ensure that the first number of weeks of school are filled with opportunities for students to feel welcome and safe while they settle into new routines. Though we certainly know that sports, fine arts, and other extracurricular activities are an important part of what makes school a great experience, our number one priority at this time is to provide excellent student learning in an environment that ensures student and staff safety. The Board of Trustees will continue to monitor and review plans and will revisit the potential to engage in extracurricular activities over the coming weeks and months, as the situation continues to evolve.   

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Sincerely, Anisha Gatner

Communications Coordinator/Executive Assistant

Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division

September 10, 2020 Update:

We are just about to end the second week of school, and although we have not had a perfect start to the year, we think it has been a very positive start of the year as we adjust to education during this pandemic. We want to thank our staff for their commitment and excellent work, parents for their patience and support, and students for their understanding and cooperation. We are very impressed with how students have adjusted to our muster points, recess/lunch breaks, and their willingness to wear masks.  As discussed, this school year will be very fluid and open to some changes. In this post, we intend to provide some information about some changes, or clarifications, about our pandemic response.

1. We will be starting daily announcements over the intercom again. These will be done approximately one hour into our day. Teachers will continue to start the day off in prayer and may start the day with O Canada in their classrooms.
2. Since we cannot continually clean our gym change rooms, they will be closed for students to change in. There will be one exception, our Jr. High complementary class using the gym will be allowed to use it as they are the last class of the day accessing the change room. Therefore the change room does not have to be sanitized right away.
3. Initially, students in grades 4 – 9 did not have to mask in the hallway when going to the gym or outside. Students were expected to practice social distancing in the hallway when this occurred. This past week it was clear that students are not social distancing in the hallway.  Therefore, students (Grades 4-9) MUST wear masks in the hallway at all times.  This includes going outside for PE and outside. If students are outside, they may remove their masks only if they are social distancing.  If they are standing or sitting together outside, masks are mandatory.
4. Jr. High – PM sign-out – We will be sharing some sign-out forms with pd 3 teachers.  Students that have parental consent (email or note to the school) to go home will sign-out from their pd. 3 classes.
5. Students are not allowed to have their hoods up anytime in the building.  Our school administration is currently reviewing the hat policy.
6. We have taken a lot of questions regarding what to do if your child is sick? We are planning to put together some clear instructions soon. In the meantime, here are the current expectations of our government:  https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/20d4bb45-0eb4-42cc-8553-94eafc34ee58/resource/46ed4b17-2989-412a-a70c-2bf1ddd3e239/download/edu-covid-19-student-illness-2020-0903.pdf

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we try our best to provide quality education in a safe and caring environment during this pandemic.

August 26, 2020

Preamble

Please note that these protocols are subject to change as we adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Thank you for your patience and understanding as we do our best to address together with the many issues that face us.

Guiding Principles for Re-Entry Planning

• The health, safety and well-being of students and staff is a priority.
• Holy Spirit Catholic School Division will attend to the protocols established by Alberta Health Services and Alberta Education in all aspects of schooling, with the main focus on student learning.
• We respect that parents are the first educators and primary decision-makers for their children.
• Students and staff who are vulnerable require attention to accommodations.
• Students will have quality learning opportunities that are guided by Alberta Education mandates and the provincial Programs of Study.
• Staff will have access to the professional learning, collaboration and support they need to grow the instructional practice in all potential methods of delivery.
• Consistency of program delivery over time is important for the sound allocation of staffing and resources.

Background and Direction from Alberta Education and Alberta Health Services

The provincial government considered three different scenarios when classes start again in the fall:

1. A return to near normal operations and routines in school (NEAR NORMAL OPERATIONS).
2. Schools are partially re-opened, with some level of restrictions. These restrictions will be determined by Alberta Health Services and Alberta Education. This means that a combination of in-school and at-home learning opportunities may exist (HYBRID OPERATIONS).
3. Schools remain closed, and students continue learning from home (AT-HOME LEARNING).

On July 21, 2020, the government decided on scenario 1.

Key Documents

Holy Spirit Catholic Schools documents https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/division/school_re-entry

Alberta 2020-21 School Re-Entry Plan documents https://www.alberta.ca/k-to-12-school-re-entry-2020-21-school-year.aspx#toc-2

Self-Screening Questionnaire

Questions and Answers

Please see this link for many common questions and answers   https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/division/school_re-entry

NEAR NORMAL OPERATIONS (Scenario 1)                    

Everyone Entering the School

• Daily Self-Screening Questionnaire 
  • If you are symptomatic, you are legally required to self-isolate and should be tested for COVID-19.
  • If you decide not to test for COVID-19, you must self-isolate for ten days.
  • For any positive COVID-19 case, the school will follow established guidelines from Alberta Heath Services.
  • If sick at school:
    • Please put on a non-medical mask and isolate in a separate room.
    • Please leave the school as soon as possible.
    • Please follow self-isolation and testing procedures.
• New sign-in procedure for permitted visitors
  • There will be a binder in the gathering space/office.  Please sign in every time you come to and leave school. 

First Week of School with Students

• Talk to your children about the new health measures.  Teach and practice these essential skills: 
• Washing / sanitizing hands
• Physically distancing
  • Although we will be doing our best to keep children and staff safe at our school we do want to remind everyone physical and social distancing will not be possible in all our classrooms.  Class sizes do not allow physical and social distancing. 
• Wearing a mask when physical distancing isn’t possible
  (Dr. Deena Hinshaw has created this video to teach how to put on/take off/wear masks properly) 
• Good respiratory etiquette
• Class Lists – Posted outside and emailed on Friday, August 28

Schedule for Week One – September 1-4

• To help limit the number of people on school grounds, we are requesting only one parent or guardian to be with their child when on school grounds.
• Although we will be doing our best to keep children and staff safe at our school we do want to remind everyone physical and social distancing will not be possible in all our classrooms.  Class sizes do not allow physical and social distancing. 
• The first day of school for students (Grade 1 to 9) will be Tuesday, September 1 (1/2 day only)
• All week          
  • No ELP
  • K orientation (scheduled by the school)
• Tuesday, September 1/Wednesday, September 2/Thursday, September 3
  • Students will attend half-days to help teach them the new protocols.  There will be no bussing in the middle of the day.  Bussing will be in the morning and at the end of the day.
    • Grades 7 to 9 – AM only – 8:40 am to 12:35 pm
    • Grades 1 to 6 – PM only – 12:10 pm to 3:25 pm
• Friday, September 4
  •  All Grades 1 to 9 attend to regular Friday times.  The start time is 8:40 am and dismissal is 1:15 pm for elementary grades and 1:00 pm for Jr. High grades.

Parents choosing to have their child educated by at-home learning

• Please click on this link for detailed information from our division https://gregkostiuk.com/2020/08/13/at-home-learning/
• Given the play-based nature of our Early Learning Program, it will only be provided directly within the school.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) – Masks

• It is mandatory for all Grade 4 to 9 students and staff to wear non-medical masks in common areas, hallways, and busses.  Since social distancing is not possible in our classrooms, non-medical masks for Grade 4 to 9 are mandatory for students while they are in the classroom.
  • Masks will be optional for all Kindergarten to Grade 3 students.
  • The government will be providing two reusable non-medical masks and some disposable non-medical masks.
  • The school staff will be provided with a face shield.  Wearing a face shield for staff will be optional.
  • Regular hand washing is essential in taking masks on and off.
  • How to wear a mask from Dr. Hinshaw https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=6MojzHFStNs&app=desktop

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) – Face Shields

• Please note that a mask is still required when wearing a face shield.

Student Arrival                                       

• Please do not arrive early to school as the school doors will be locked, and there is no supervision until 8:30 am.  Please plan to arrive just before 8:30 am.
• To help limit the number of people on school grounds, we are requesting only one parent or guardian to be with their child when on school grounds.
• Our playground equipment will be closed before school.
• Closed Campus
  • Father Leonard Van Tighem and all other Holy Spirit Catholic Schools will be closed to the public.  This closed campus includes parents/guardians.  Also, this means students are not allowed to leave the school grounds during the school day.
  • Parents/Guardians who need to come to the school will need to call the school first and be limited to going to the office.
• New parking lot
  • It’s a little different, especially at both ends.  Please do not park in the fire lane.  Also, when the school busses are present at the end of the day, please turn right (north) when exiting the parking lot.

• Muster points.  To assist with social distancing and limit hallway traffic, students will be entering and exiting the building from different doors.  Here are a summary and map:

West Exit	Lib Exit	North Exit	Main Exit	E Exit	SE Exit	S Exit
Rooms 41, 42, 43, 44	Rooms 17, 18, 19, 20	Rooms 03, 36, 49, 50	Room 34	Rooms 14, 16, 51, 52	Rooms 21, 22, 23, 24	Rooms 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
The new portable doors will not be available until September 7.  Rooms 25-29 will use the front doors.

*If there is inclement weather, the doors will be open, and students would report directly to their classrooms.

• Students walking to school
  • When walking to school and once you are on school grounds, maintain social distancing and go your muster point.  The playground equipment is closed before the start of the school.  Your homeroom or period one teacher will meet you at the muster point, organize you into a line, and bring you into the school.  Once you get to your classroom, you will need to sanitize your hands.  During the first period, students will be allowed to go to their lockers at staggered times.
• Students drop-off at school
  • Please do not park in the fire lane.  Maintain social distancing and go to your muster point.  The playground equipment is closed before the start of school.  Your homeroom or period one teacher will meet you at the muster point, organize you into a line, and bring you into the school.  Once you get to your classroom, you will need to sanitize your hands.  During the first period, students will be allowed to go to their lockers at staggered times.
• Students being brought to school by parents
  • To help limit the number of people on school grounds, we are requesting only one parent or guardian to be with their child when on school grounds.  Once on school grounds, maintain social distancing with other families.  Please go to your muster points.  Parents are not allowed to enter the building.  Your homeroom or period one teacher will meet you at the muster point, organize you into a line, and bring you into the school.  Once you get to your classroom, you will need to sanitize your hands.  During the first period, students will be allowed to go to their lockers at staggered times.
• Students taking the bus to school
  • Once you get off the bus, maintain social distancing and go to your muster point.  The playground equipment is closed before the start of school.  Your homeroom or period one teacher will meet you at the muster point, organize you into a line, and bring you into the school.  Once you get to your classroom, you will need to sanitize your hands.  During the first period, students will be allowed to go to their lockers at staggered times.

School Day

• Cohorts
  • Students will spend their day together as a homeroom cohort.  There will be no mixing of cohorts during the school day, lunch hour, and breaks.  Traditionally, some students move to other classrooms, especially Jr. High students.  This year, teachers will be moving from class to class, and students will stay in their homeroom.  There may be some minor exceptions to this rule for specific learning scenarios.
  • Although we will be doing our best to keep children and staff safe at our school we do want to remind everyone physical and social distancing will not be possible in all our classrooms.  Class sizes do not allow physical and social distancing. 
• Students will be taught all their regular subjects.  There will be a different process for Jr. High Options.
• Student breaks
  • Microwave – there will be no access to microwaves for students.  Students are not to bring food that needs a microwave.
  • To help limit student movement in the school and the sharing of materials, please ensure your child brings their utensils for their lunches.
  • Elementary nutrition breaks and recess breaks – although we are piloting the Balanced School Day approach, we will have to make some schedule adaptations.  Students will stay together in their cohorts and will be eating in their classrooms with no access to microwaves.  We hope to have limited access to our canteen.  Different homerooms may have different nutrition break times and recesses than other students.  The timing of the breaks will depend on the availability of staff supervision.  Students will have to social distance, and classes will have to follow a break schedule of time and location.
  •  JH lunch – students will stay together in their cohorts.  Students will be eating in their classroom with no access to microwaves, and we hope to have limited access to our canteen.  After students have eaten, they will take a break as a cohort.  FLVT is now a closed campus meaning students are not allowed to leave the school grounds during the school day.  The timing of the breaks will depend on the availability of staff supervision.
  • Students are not allowed to order food delivery for lunch (Skip the Dishes, pizza delivery).  Also, to limit the number of people in the school, we are asking parents not to drop-off fast food orders for their students.
  •  JH between class breaks – students will have to stay in their homeroom during this time.
• Locker Access
  • Student Lockers – To help with social distancing, lockers for Grade 1 to 9 will be spread out in their cohorts.  Rather than having all the lockers together by grade, they will be spaced apart.
  • Once students enter the building, they will be taken to their homeroom.  Students will be allowed at their lockers at specific times.
    • Period One – Students will access their locker during period one in three blocks of time.  Students are to gather all the learning materials they will need for the day.
      • 1^st 10 minutes after announcements – Grades 3, 6, and 9
      • 2^nd 10 minutes later – Grades 2, 5, and 8
      • 3^rd 10 minutes later – Grades 1, 4, and 7
    • Lunch Breaks – Elementary, and Jr. High teachers will allow students access to their lockers to get their lunches.  Teachers will coordinate with their peers about the timing to limit hallway congestion.
    • Elementary Recess – Students will have access to their lockers before recesses to get their jackets.
    • End of the day
      • Elementary – Teachers will coordinate with their peers about access to student lockers to limit hallway congestion.
      • Jr. High – During tutorial class, teachers will escort their students to their lockers.
• Hallway Movement
  • During the first days of school, students will be taught how to follow the floor decals and directions to assist with the flow of student traffic in the hallway.  As much as possible, everyone is to support social distancing practices.  Ideally, student lockers will be near their classroom, but often this is not possible.
  • Elementary recess – students will be entering and exiting by their muster point doors, therefore limiting hallway congestion.  Also, different classes may have different break times.
• Extra-curricular Activities and Events
  • Until further notice, there will be no extra-curricular activities of any kind in all Holy Spirit Catholic Schools; this includes sporting teams, fine arts productions (Aladdin Jr.), and clubs.  
  • Our primary goal will be to reduce contacts and ensure that students and staff feel comfortable before any of these activities resume. Also, our schools need to have all students and staff out of the buildings by 5:00 pm so that thorough cleaning protocols and sanitization can occur. 
  • Traditional, we do a school fundraiser in September to raise funds for a variety of events and programs at the school.  We have decided to put this event on hold for now.
• Common Areas
  • Canteen – Students will not be eating in the canteen.  We hope that our canteen will be able to be open for their usual services, except all purchases will have to be individual serving (no buffet-style like Taco in a Bag).  Students will need to enter via the south doors, exit via the west doors, and follow social distancing practices in the canteen.
  • Gym – The gym will be open for Physical Education classes.  When there are two classes in the gym, the middle curtain will be down.  Shared items will be disinfected after student use.  If this is not possible, the shared equipment will need to be set aside for later cleaning.  Physical Education teachers will be adapting lessons to limit the use of shared equipment.  All students will have to sanitize their hands before and after entering the gym.
  • The Mezzanine – Students will not be able to use the mezzanine individually, but cohorts may use this space throughout the day, especially as a break area.
    • Please enter the mezzanine using the east stairs.
    • Please exit the mezzanine using the west stairs.
  • Music Room – When needed, the music room will be available.  Music lessons will be adapted to follow COVID-19 guidelines, and students will have to sanitize their hands before and after entering the music room.  Shared items will be disinfected after student use.
  • Bathrooms – There will probably be an increase in bathroom use due to the need to increase the frequency of handwashing. Restrooms will be limited to a certain number of students (portable bathrooms – 5, other bathrooms 4).
  • Library – The library will be closed to student use during the first week of school.  We are currently developing a process for our librarian to deliver books to the classrooms rather than students going to the library.
  • Sick Room – Our current sick room will serve as an isolation room.  Once a student is in the sick room, parents will be contacted to pick up their child immediately.  Our sick room has a limit of two students, and if there are more than two students that need the sick room, ill students will be isolated in other areas of the school.  The sick room, or another isolation room, will be cleaned after a sick student has left the room.
  • Computer Lab/Carts – Electronic devices will be cleaned and disinfected after use.  We are awaiting further direction regarding this.  As we have limited on-site technology, we encourage our Jr. High students to bring their own device to school.
• Classroom
  • Teachers will be spreading out the desks/tables to encourage physical distancing as much as possible.
  • Although we will be doing our best to keep children and staff safe at our school we do want to remind everyone physical and social distancing will not be possible in all our classrooms.  Class sizes do not allow physical and social distancing. 
  • Students and staff will sanitize their hands when they enter and leave the classroom.
  • Teachers will place student desks, so students do not face each other.
  • Teachers will keep their classroom windows open as much as possible and take their classes outside when possible.
• Water fountains
  • Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school.  Over the summer, our school division installed more bottle filling stations.  We now have four.  These stations will be open.
  • All other water fountains will be closed to student use.
  • Classes with sinks, water taps will be available for use, provided there is a protocol for cleaning the faucets after every use.
• There will be no intramurals, assemblies, or large gatherings.  Students will be staying in their cohorts.
• JH Options
  • As JH students must stay in their homeroom cohort, JH Options are now JH Complementary Courses with no student choice.  JH teachers will determine what classes occur during the JH Complimentary Courses time.  We will review this format for Quarter 3 and 4.

Dismissal

• Muster Points
• Students will be dismissed and will be exiting the same doors that they entered.  Parents can meet their children at the designated muster points (see above map).  To help limit the number of people on school grounds, we are requesting only one parent or guardian to be with their child when on school grounds.
• The school playground will be closed after school hours.
• Students walking home
  • Once students have exited the building, following social distancing practices, they are to leave school grounds right away.
• Students getting picked up by parents
  • Once students have exited the building, they can meet their parents at the designated muster points.  Following social distancing practices, families are to leave the school grounds.
• Students taking the bus home
  • Once students have exited the building, following social distancing practices, they are to line up near their typical bus pick up.  Once on the bus, please follow the instructions of the bus driver.
• Afterschool Program – It’s a Blast program will continue to be at Children of St. Martha’s School.

Bussing

• Effective September 2020, Holy Spirit Catholic School Division will only be providing bus transportation to and from school for students who reside 2.4 kilometres or further from their designated school.  As we continue to deal with the challenges of COVID-19, we will no longer be able to accommodate bussing students less than 2.4 kilometres away from their designated school or those students who attend a school of choice.  Please note the distance between the student’s residence and school is determined by a specific program that determines the shortest walking distance to the school.
• Should your child have additional transportation needs, based on their current Individual Student Plan, our division’s Inclusive Education Team will be in contact with you to make appropriate arrangements when more is known. Also, families of students eligible for transportation can expect to receive a survey in early August 2020, asking if they plan to use the transportation services available to them. This information will help us to establish our rider lists and routes for eligible students.
• Please check out this link for more information about bussing https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/schools/transportation

Provincial and Divisional Assessments

• All students will be excused from Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs).
• For the Grade 3 Student Learning Assessment (SLA) in early fall, students will write the digital portion; the performance tasks are optional.
• Divisional Common Math Assessments (CMA) – The dates are yet to be determined.
• Teachers will continue to use Fountas and Pinnell as the divisional literacy assessment tool.

General

• Summary of Health measures will include, but are not limited to:
  • Appropriate hand sanitizing and handwashing, respiratory etiquette, physical distancing (when and where possible in schools and on buses), increased frequency of cleaning and disinfection, student cohorts, and having staff and students stay home when ill or are exhibiting any flu-like symptoms. 
• Teachers will organize their classrooms to increase learning space.
  • No fabric resources, furniture, or items not easily cleaned.
• The staff have limited access to the school, Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm.
• The staff room limit is 15 people.
• Student Lockers – To help with social distancing, lockers for Grade 1 to 9 will be spread out in their cohorts.  Rather than having all the lockers together by grade, they will be spaced apart.
• All cell phones are to be kept in student lockers during instructional time.  Here is our policy https://gregkostiuk.com/2018/12/06/away-during-the-day/
• Playground/fields
  • The school will be developing a schedule for student use of the playground and fields.  After students go outside to use the various facility, they will need to sanitize their hands.
• Fieldtrips – Only field trips within Holy Spirit Catholic Schools’ boundaries will be allowed.  No field trips that involve bussing will be permitted.
• Student Sign-in and Sign-out
  • Late arrivals – if a student is late to school, they are to enter by the front entrance and report to the office.
  • Leaving early – if a student is leaving early from school, they are to report to the office, sign-out and then proceed out the front doors.  Parents or guardians are required to notify the school either via a note or phone call.
  • Jr. High students leaving at noon? – Parents or guardians are required to notify the school either via a note or phone call.  
• New Portable
  • We should have access to our new portable on Monday, September 7.

Positive COVID-19 Cases

• If health officials confirm a case of COVID-19 in a school community, we will follow the process outlined by the province. Alberta Health Services provided additional guidelines on August 20 regarding this topic in the following document: COVID-19 in School (K-12) Settings: A resource guide for schools before, during and after a COVID-19 outbreak.
• We would follow strict confidentiality guidelines.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we do our best to adapt and live with COVID-19.