Welcome Back! September 2021

Dear Families

I hope this message finds you all healthy, rested and having enjoyed a beautiful summer. By now you will have seen the plan put forth by the District regarding a safe re-opening for September 2021. It comes late this year due to many last minute changes from the Ministry of Education and Public Health units. I did not want to reach out to parents until more information was detailed and communicated to principals. As it stands, plans are changing daily so please make sure to check your emails regularly. It will take all of us working together to ensure that everything goes as smoothly and safely as possible. Here are a few updates for you and more detailed procedures are attached as we know them now.

· School begins for all students SK to Gr.8 on Tuesday Sept 7th (NOTE: JK students will have a staggered entry – more details will be communicated to those families shortly).

· In the coming days please look for an email from your child’s teacher. They will introduce themselves so that you will know who your child(ren)’s teachers are and they will include some basic guidelines to get us started including where to meet them on the first day. Please note changes could still happen with school organization or classroom teachers. Things are not truly firm until end of September and school organization could still change.

· On the first day of school students will immediately enter the school once they arrive and they will be directed by staff to their class and/or designated meeting area. It might be a bit chaotic the first day but the second day and the days that follow will go much more smoothly. NOTE: Parents will not be permitted on the school yard but there will be staff outside at the gates to help guide your children to their area. Look for an email from your child(ren)’s teacher to further direct you on the first day.

· In order to minimize contact and avoid sharing materials we are asking that each student comes with their own lunch, a water bottle that can be refilled and a pencil case filled with some supplies. Your child’s teacher will communicate what these items should include (eg. pencils, markers, scissors etc). We know it is late in the year so please do not panic about not having the proper supplies the first day or even the first week of school. There is time to gather any resources/supplies needed in the next few weeks.

· School Resources - If you have outstanding school resources and/or textbooks that your child(ren)’s teacher sent home for your use (eg. FSL, MATH, RELIGION textbooks) or computer devices please return them to school the first week in September as these are important and expensive resources our school needs.

More information regarding safe procedures can be found in the attached “RE-opening” document and in the District plan on our school website. This week (Aug. 31st to Sept 3rd) the school office will have limited office hours. Email is best for messages/questions as our phone system is currently not taking messages. You can email myself (afortunato@bhncdsb.ca) or Irene Bowden (school secretary) ibowden@bhncdsb.ca . Please continue to monitor our school and board websites and twitter accounts for updates. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to seeing everyone’s smiling ‘eyes’ on Tuesday September 7th.

Please read the Parent Guide for further details about the school Re-Opening plan.  It is under "School Information"   -   "School Plans". 

Anna Fortunato, Principal (St. Michael’s, Dunnville)