RE-START PLAN 2020-21 - Abbotsford Christian School
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ABBOTSFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
RE-START PLAN 2020-21
GREETINGS ACS PARENTS,
As promised, the following is our communication to you as parents regarding the 2020-2021 school year. Since July 29 when the BC
Minister of Education made his re-start comments to the province, the leadership at ACS has been busy formulating plans and policies to
help guide us as we respond to the expectations of the government-mandated Stage 2 Opening of all public and independent schools in
BC.
As everyone knows, responding to the pandemic in terms of how to do school, has created heightened concerns on all sides of the
continuum. We recognize this and will do our best to respond to concerns, however—please note the following: ACS will, without
negotiation, respond in full compliance to governmental directives that put the safety and health of our students and staff first.
Given the above, although deeply concerned about the pandemic and continued outbreaks, government has made it clear that schools are
controlled environments—and that it is important we provide a place for all of our students K-12 (as well as preschool) to re-start school
this fall.
Before sharing the highlights of our safety and health plan, I will assure you that ACS’ staff have been, and will continue to be, dedicated
to partner with all parents in offering the quality of Christian education everyone has come to expect. Given this, there are a few
important items worth sharing:
1. CONSULTING WITH OTHERS: This plan has included consultation with many school associations and bodies including the Society
of Christian Schools in BC (SCSBC), the Federation of Independent Schools of BC (FISA), neighbouring school districts, and
neighboring independent schools.
2. ONLINE CLASSES: It is important to note that ACS is not a certified distributed learning school, and therefore, we are not permitted
to provide online classes. The emergency measures taken in the spring were specific to a special order signed by the government
(which has now expired). As such, ACS will not be operating in an online environment as its primary vehicle to educate.
3. STAGE 2: On July 29 government announced that all schools will re-start in September in stage 2. Stage 2 is a full return to in-
class instruction for all students for the maximum time possible within cohort limits. In a response to the pandemic, it is very
possible for a mandated move back to stage 3 or 4. ACS has built in a system that will allow us to seamlessly transition back into
these stages if need be.
4. COHORTS: More detail will follow in the campus specific information, but cohorts reduce the number of in-person, close
interactions a person has at school without requiring physical distancing to consistently be practiced. Cohorts can be composed of
students and staff. In the elementary and middle school, a cohort will be composed of up to 60 people. At the secondary, a cohort
will be composed of up to 120 people.
5. START DATE: As is our custom, ACS will start on Tuesday, September 8, the day after Labour Day.
6. SCHOOL HOURS: Although there will be alterations to the schedule during the day (see campus specifics), the beginning and end of
our school day will remain unchanged.
7. SCHOOL CALENDAR: Although many of our events will be altered to meet the new guidelines of the pandemic (for example we have
exciting plans for a different version of Meet the Teacher Night), families can expect the school calendar to go on as scheduled.
Please be sure to refer to the calendar on our website which will be the best source of the most up-to-date information. Each
individual event includes information about whether events have moved online, are confirmed in person or still tentative.
8. PRESCHOOL: The ACS Preschool will be open this fall. However, due to the regulations and expectations being governed
completely separately, the preschool department will be communicating separately from this communication.
9. STUDENTS WITH DIVERSE ABILITIES / DISABILITIES: Our school’s commitment to inclusion throughout this pandemic remains
unchanged. We are committed to having all our students attend full-time (based on need and ability) and have staffing in place
to support students with diverse abilities/disabilities. Diverse learners are included in cohorts with their peers as much as we
are able, including the staff that support them, and will continue to have increased access to health and safety supports that are
available through the school.
10. TUITION: As communicated previously, your investment in ACS to educate your child/ren is appreciated. With stage 2 being an
expectation of all students being educated all day every day, tuition will remain unchanged. If, however, we are mandated to move to
educating students at home (like last spring), ACS will revisit our tuition schedule and consider changes.
111. BUSING: Transportation to and from school will continue. Please read the ACS Safety and Health Plan for details. One specific
item worth stating: All shuttles between campuses, before and after school, have been cancelled until further notice. Parents who
count on this convenience should make other arrangements.
12. CONSTRUCTION AT MIDDLE/SECONDARY: TSI Construction will continue during the school year. All students will be completely
safe in the building at all times as most of the construction will happen outside of the learning areas. There will be some noise
hazards at times and staff and students will need to work around these infrequent occurrences. All COVID-19 safety and health
protocols and procedures will be vigilantly adhered to by construction employees.
13. COMMUNICATION: After this communication, ACS will continue its usual way of communication with parents via eNews emails.
SAFETY PLAN PREVIEW
Over the summer months, in response to the decision to return to school in the fall, the ACS Safety and Health Team finalized a new
COVID-19 Safety and Health Plan and Policy. This policy was designed while considering the Ministry of Education (MOE) guidelines, the
directives from the British Columbia Center for Disease Control (BCCDC), and expectations from WorkSafe BC.
Here are some highlights of this policy that all students and staff will be expected to adhere to:
SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING
There are many new procedures and protocols that need to be understood, adhered to, and enforced. All staff will be trained during the
week of August 31 and students will be trained on Tuesday, September 8.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) EXPECTATIONS
Staff: All staff will be expected to wear PPE (e.g. shields or masks), that cover their mouth and nose, at all times while inside the
building.
Students: Elementary students are not required to wear masks in any setting. All middle and secondary students will be expected to
wear shields or masks that cover their mouth and nose, while outside their cohort. This includes on the bus.
Visitors and volunteers: All visitors and volunteers will always be required to wear PPE (shields or masks), while inside the building.
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
All visitors and volunteers desiring to come into any of our buildings (including parents) will be required to pre-book appointments. We
recognize this will be difficult for some parents, especially early in the school year. We will do our best to accommodate your requests.
VENTILATION SYSTEMS
ACS has reviewed, recharged, and repaired all our ventilation systems at each campus to ensure they are running at optimal levels. Our
facilities team will monitor these systems with extra vigilance throughout the year.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING
We will have custodial teams in place to clean our buildings as per requirements from the BCCDC and WorkSafe BC.
HANDWASHING
The primary responsibility of adequate hand washing prior to school each day, belongs to parents. At school, custodial teams will
ensure adequate supplies of soap and paper towels are maintained in all school washrooms and in classrooms equipped with sinks.
Where hand washing is not possible, hand sanitizer dispensers will be available and monitored to maintain adequate supplies.
TRAFFIC FLOW WITHIN BUILDINGS
We have every intention to limit the amount of traffic that our students are involved in outside of their cohorts. However, movement
within our campuses will be directed with markings on the floors and walls, designed to provide the necessary safe distancing for staff
and students.
Hebrews 12:2-3 says: “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow
weary and lose heart.”
I love this verse in the context of the pandemic, and I urge all of us to fix our eyes on Jesus during this time. Life will be very different for
this school year as we respond to this global pandemic. As we navigate these times together as a community, may we all “fix our eyes”
on the one who is our True North, our Tower in the storm, our Saviour. This Saviour will work through us to the rise to the challenges of
this year! We’ve got this!
Thanks for your partnership.
On behalf of the Leadership Team,
Julius Siebenga
2ABBOTSFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
RE-START PLAN 2020-21
WELCOME BACK!
We’re thrilled that ACS will re-open on September 8 and are getting ready to welcome our students on campus and into our
classrooms! As you can imagine, there will be a lot of changes to the procedures and routines of school this year. Not only are
we deep into a building project at the middle/secondary and transitioning our grade 5’s to the middle school campus, we are
also navigating how to learn and flourish within the limitations of COVID-19.
Rest assured—one thing that has not changed is our commitment to Christian education and partnering with parents in our
daily efforts to engage minds, nurture hearts, and shape God’s world.
Our goal is to re-open our school in a way that is safe for all students, families, teachers, and staff. We know that returning to
school is important for the healthy development and well-being of children/teens and we also know that social relationships
play a critical role in learning. It is going to take a while for everyone to learn, and be comfortable with, being in school and
managing the risks. We ask for your grace and patience as we sort through the “new” and find a rhythm for our school
community that is safe and that supports our students in their learning.
To give you an idea of what school looks like, we’d like to share some details of what students and teachers will be doing on
campus to stay safe and minimize the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus.
Please read through this document in its entirety, as every detail is important. We know it’s a lot, but we hope it is thorough
and answers most, if not all, your questions.
If you continue to have questions, we ask that you email the appropriate campus and we’ll do our best to get back to you in a
timely manner.
Thank you for your partnership,
Karin Riemer, Elementary School Principal
Tym Berger, Middle School Principal
Mike Riezebos, Secondary School Principal
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS PACKAGE
ACS Health & Safety Plan
Important Things to Know (K-12)
Campus Specifics
• Elementary School: Day schedule, cohorts, special subjects, a “just for students” note, and drop-off/pick-up map
• Middle School: Day schedule, cohorts, special subjects, and a “just for students” note
• Secondary School: Day schedule, course schedule
Details and Comparison Charts
• Daily Activities
• Specific Building Locations
• Behind the Scenes
• How Parents can Help Keep our Community Safe
3ABBOTSFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
RE-START PLAN 2020-21
ACS HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
The following are health and safety policies, procedures, and guidelines that have been designed primarily in preparation
for the stage 2 re-start of fall 2020.
STAGE 2
As announced by the Ministry of Education on July 29, 2020, stage 2 is a full return to in-class instruction for all students
who are not ill, for the maximum time possible within cohort limits. Students with severe immune-compromised conditions
should assess the risk and be in communication with school authorities, and health-care providers. International students
who come from out of country must quarantine for 14 days prior to starting their schooling.
ILLNESS
The provincial health officer and the BCCDC have issued the following guidance regarding illness:
• Everyone must monitor daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory
diseases before coming to school.
• Symptoms include: fever, dry cough, fatigue, runny nose, and excessive sneezing.
• If a student develops symptoms while at home, parents or caregivers must keep their child home until they have been
assessed by a health care provider to exclude COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, and until their symptoms have
been resolved. Documentation from the provider will be expected.
• Anyone (staff or students) who has had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days must self-isolate at home until their
symptoms are gone.
• Students or staff may still attend school if a member of their household has a cold, influenza, or COVID-19 symptoms
provided this student or staff member are asymptomatic.
• If students or staff show symptoms while at school, they will be expected to go home as soon as possible.
• If students or staff have a pre-existing condition such as allergies (with supporting documentation), they are not
expected to go home if symptoms of this pre-existing condition become evident.
IF SYMPTOMS ARE EVIDENT AT SCHOOL
For students who show symptoms or signs of illness at school, the following is expected:
• Student will be sent to the front office of the school
• Student will be isolated as appropriate
• Front office staff will communicate with the home and parents/caregivers will be expected to pick up their child as
soon as possible
• Public Health may be notified of a potential COVID-19 case
• Disinfection of any area the student has been in will be implemented
For employees who show symptoms or signs of illness, the following is expected:
• The principal or supervisor will be notified
• The employee will be isolated
• A decision will be made on how the employee will get home
• Disinfecting of the employees’ main work area will take place
RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER ILLNESS
• Upon being symptom-free students and staff may return to work after being assessed by a health care provider.
Documentation from the health care provider will be expected.
• Upon being diagnosed with COVID, public health will be notified (see below) and ACS will follow all protocols regarding
returning to school.
4ACS HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
IF COVID IS DIAGNOSED IN ACS COMMUNITY (STUDENTS OR STAFF)
• Public Health will be notified immediately and ACS will work with them for contact-tracing.
• Public Health will work with school administration to determine what actions should be taken and if suspending in-
class learning is necessary.
• Parents will be notified immediately and be informed of the action steps that are decided
• Potential action steps:
• Close down entire school preschool – grade 12 until problem is solved
• Close down one campus (elementary, middle/secondary) until problem is solved
• Close down one cohort (see cohorts below) until problem is solved
• If any staff or student has been in immediate contact with a COVID-19 positive person, they will be notified by
public health officials and must self-isolate.
HAND WASHING AND HYGIENE
• Effective hand washing procedures will be posted throughout the campuses.
• Hand washing will be encouraged for staff and students at the following times:
• Upon first arrival to school
• Before going home
• Before eating or drinking
• After using the restroom
• After sneezing or coughing into hands or tissue
• Whenever hands are visibly dirty
• When moving between different learning environments (e.g. outdoor to indoor or gym to classroom transitions)
• Staff will assist younger students with hand hygiene as needed.
• If a sink is not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be made available.
• Hand washing supplies will be available at all times.
• Hand hygiene stations will be set up at locations throughout the school as appropriate.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING
FREQUENCY:
• General cleaning and disinfecting of all school premises will happen at least once during a 24-hour period.
• For all frequently used areas (see below), cleaning and disinfecting will happen twice in a 24-hour period.
• All garbages and recycling will be emptied once in a 24-hour period.
FREQUENTLY USED AREAS INCLUDE:
• Doorknobs, light switches, faucet handles, hand railings, toilet handles, tables, desks, chairs used by multiple people,
and water fountains.
• Water fountains will continue to be available, however students and staff will be encouraged to bring a personal water
bottle that is not shared. Staff and students will be encouraged not to put their mouths on the surface of the water
fountain.
• Shared learning items and manipulatives.
• Shared equipment (computer keyboards, tablets and/or mouses, glassware and testing equipment for science
classes, kitchen equipment for culinary programs, sewing machines and equipment for textiles programs)
• Appliances (microwaves, refrigerators, coffee pots, photocopiers, and laminators)
BODILY FLUID PRECAUTIONS (RUNNY NOSE, BLOOD, VOMIT, STOOL, URINE)
• Wear disposable gloves when cleaning up body fluids
• Wash hands before wearing and after removing disposable gloves
COHORTS
Cohorts reduce the number of in-person, close interactions a person has in school, without requiring physical distancing to
consistently be practiced. Cohorts can be composed of students and staff.
• In the elementary and middle school, a cohort will be composed of up to 60 people.
• In the secondary school, a cohort will be composed of up to 120 people.
5ACS HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
Cohorts are smaller in elementary and middle school due to the recognition that younger children are less able to consistently
implement personal measures such as hand hygiene, reducing physical contact, and recognizing and articulating symptoms
of illness. Unless they are part of the same cohort, staff and other adults should maintain physical distance of 2 metres from
each other at all times. This includes during break times and in meetings.
Students from different cohorts may be required to be together to receive beneficial social supports, programs or services.
Within these supports or services, it is expected that physical distances are maintained as much as is practical to do so,
while still ensuring that the support, program, or service continues. This does not apply to extracurricular activities where
physical distance between cohorts must be maintained.
SCHOOL GATHERINGS
School gatherings will occur within the cohort. Gatherings will not exceed the maximum cohort size in the setting, plus the
minimum number of additional people required (e.g. school staff, visitors) to meet the gathering’s purpose and intended
outcome. Whenever possible, ACS will seek virtual alternatives for larger gatherings and assemblies.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING STRATEGIES
The following strategies will be implemented wherever possible:
• Avoid close greetings (e.g., hugs, handshakes).
• Students and staff will be encouraged not to touch their faces.
• People should spread out as much as is practical to do so.
• We will consider different classroom and learning environment configurations to allow distance between students
and adults (e.g., different desk and table formations).
• For middle and secondary, we will consider arranging desks/tables so students are not facing each other and
using consistent seating arrangements.
• There will be steps made to reduce crowding at pick-up and drop-off times.
• We will attempt to stagger recess/snack and lunch, and limit class transition times to provide a greater amount of
space for everyone.
• We will encourage staff to take students outside for learning activities more often.
• Playgrounds are a safe environment. We will ensure appropriate hand hygiene practices before and after outdoor
play.
• For elementary students, we will adapt group activities to minimize physical contact and reduce shared items.
• For middle and secondary students, we will minimize group activities and avoid activities that require physical contact.
• Sharing of food or drink will be prohibited.
• Parents, caregivers, health-care providers, volunteers, and other non-staff adults (e.g. visitors) entering the school
will be prioritized to those supporting activities that are of benefit to student learning and well-being.
• All visitors will be required to sign in at the front office, provide appropriate contact information, and provide
confirmation that they have completed the requirements of a daily health check before entering.
• For any deliveries to the school, we will have designated delivery protocols and area signs posted.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extracurricular activities in middle and secondary schools including sports, performing arts, or special interest clubs can
occur if physical distance can be maintained between members of different learning cohorts and reduced physical contact
can be practiced by those within the same learning cohort.
Inter-school events like competitions, tournaments, and festivals are not permitted to occur at this time.
BUSING
Due to the fact that our buses are not considered to be a controlled environment like our schools, ACS will adhere to the
following for student transportation on school buses:
• Buses will be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with BCCDC guidelines.
• Buses will be loaded from back to front and offloaded from front to back.
• If space is available, each student will have their own seat unless sharing with a member of their household.
• Middle and secondary students will wear masks to cover their mouth and nose.
• ACS will consider a transparent barrier to separate the driver from the students.
• Drivers will assign consistent and assigned seating whenever possible.
• Until further notice – all shuttling between campuses will be cancelled.
6ACS HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) / MASKS
Although ACS recognizes that masks are not required by the CDC during the pandemic, out of an abundance of caution and
in order to allow for broader transitions in and out of cohorts for adults, we are requiring all employees (and adults who
enter the building) to wear PPE that protects/covers the mouth and the nose.
In a classroom setting, we will encourage staff to use PPE that does not cover the visibility of the face.
PPE will not be required for students if they remain in their cohorts. For students who are required to transition outside of
their cohort, there may be an expectation to wear PPE to cover the mouth and nose.
We will be providing PPE for all staff and will have limited amounts available for students with approvals from parents/
caregivers.
OCCUPANCY LIMITS
ACS will require occupancy limits for the majority of spaces being used at the campuses and provide clarity for staff and
students at each of the campuses. These limits will be posted in the spaces and enforced by admin.
Typical gathering areas in our schools include (but are not limited to): hallways, front lobbies, vending machines, gymnasiums,
shops, music rooms, kitchens, office areas, and staff rooms.
We will be addressing the staff rooms at each campus in terms of occupancy limits, food preparation, sharing of eating and
drinking utensils, etc. As a general rule, staff rooms will not be functioning like they were prior to the pandemic, and there
will be strong encouragement to gather as staff in small numbers, within cohorts, and outside as much as possible.
There will be multiple attempts made (staggered breaks, lunches etc.) to limit the amount of people in indoor spaces beyond
the required occupancy limits.
In the times when occupancy limits cannot be adhered to, there may be instances when students will be required to wear
PPE over the mouth and nose.
MENTAL HEALTH
ACS understands the additional strain and stress that the pandemic has put us all under and is committed to providing
ample mental health support for those who need it. Information regarding where to find mental health support will be
provided by each of the campuses for both students and staff.
TRAINING
To ensure that ACS remains a safe and controlled environment for all students and staff, ACS staff will be adequately trained
prior to school starting (and throughout the year as needed) on policy, procedures, and protocols specific to the COVID-19
Safety and Health Plan.
Students will receive necessary training from the staff during the first week of school, and then throughout the year, in order
for them to thrive in school.
PREPARED FOR THE MOVEMENT OF STAGES
Recognizing that it may be necessary for ACS to move back to Educational Stages 3, 4, or 5 (as laid out by the BC Ministry of
Education), ACS will be prepared to move to these stages as seamlessly as possible. We will set up our scheduling to allow
for this potential reality and will require teaching staff to continue to provide some level of online presence (through our
myLearning classroom sites) in each of the classes and cohorts, so as to allow for a relatively smooth transition, if required.
ACS SAFETY AND HEALTH TEAM
ACS has a safety and health team in place for the following:
• To provide policy and procedures for things like a COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan
• To provide a place for staff to voice concerns
• To review and update policies and procedures as things change between stages
Members of the ACS Safety and Health Team include:
• Chair of the Human Resources (HR) Team
• The staff representative from the HR Team
• Members of the Crisis Management Team (one VP from each campus)
7ABBOTSFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
RE-START PLAN 2020-21
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW (K-12)
CONNECTED LEARNING
• In March, when our school building closed, we pivoted to learning at home. We called this time “Connected Learning.”
During this period our primary communication tools included myLearning, Teams, Zoom, and FreshGrade (elementary).
• Throughout this year, myLearning will be used extensively to communicate between home and school throughout the
year. You can access this link on our website under Login / Parents.
• Recognizing that throughout the year there may be times when students need to learn from home again, staff will
continue to develop their skills with these digital platforms.
FRONT OFFICE AND VISITORS
• The front office will be closed for visitors. Adults (and students outside the start of the school day) requesting access
to the building will enter via the front doors and immediately report to the front office (due to the building project,
secondary students will report to the middle school front office).
• For visiting adults on campus (paraprofessionals, trained volunteers, exceptional circumstances) contact tracing
information will need to be completed at the office.
• Visitors on campus will need to wear a mask and complete proper hand sanitizing/hand washing.
• There will be a designated self-isolation area according to the Health and Safety procedures for when a student or staff
member shows symptoms of illness (see ACS Health and Safety Policy for process).
SCHOOL CALENDAR
• Although many of our events will be altered to meet the new guidelines of the pandemic, families can expect the school
calendar to go on as scheduled.
• Please be sure to refer to the calendar on our website which will be the best source of the most up-to-date information.
• Each invidual event includes information about whether events have moved online, are confirmed in person, or still
tentative.
LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES
• Learning support services will be arranged in cohorts whenever possible.
• When learning support staff work in several cohorts, they will practice physical distancing, use appropriate PPE, and
implement the use of barriers as needed.
• Due to the diverse learning needs within the learning support services programs, appropriate health and safety
supports will be evaluated and implemented on a case-by-case basis.
LATE START THURSDAY
• At this time, the elementary and middle campuses will not be able to offer childcare on Thursday mornings from 7:45
am - 9:00 am, except for children of ACS staff members.
• We will re-open this program to the ACS community as soon as it is safe to do so.
• At the secondary, we are unable to open our campus early to students before the start of the school day, with the
exception of those students enrolled in early morning Band 11/12.
8ELEMENTARY (K-4)
THE NEW DAILY SCHEDULE:
To accomodate the many changes that will need to occur at the elementary campus, the following is a detailed break-down
of our daily schedule and procedures.
MON, TUES, WED, FRI DETAILS THURSDAY
7:55 am Playground supervision begins (back of the school) 8:30 am
• Students may not enter the building.
• Bathrooms and library are closed until 8:15 am.
• At this time, no before school care is available on late start Thursdays.
8:10 am Parking lot greeters / supervisors begin 8:45 am
8:15-8:25 am Enter school at the designated door any time 8:50-9:00 am
• Bell rings at 8:15 am
• Students practice hand hygiene, hang up backpack and coat, switch to indoor
shoes, use restroom if necessary, and find desk or work area.
8:30 am Classroom instruction/devotions/morning meeting, etc. begins 9:00 am
• Bell rings at 8:30 am
• LATE arrivals: Please use (students only) the front door entrance and wait on
social distancing spots to be checked in by Mrs. Berger before walking to class.
Recess, regardless of the weather, will be primarily outdoors. Please dress accordingly.
Students will be outside with their cohorts as well as several other cohorts.
Students can socialize with a friend in a different cohort if they minimize physical contact.
10:25-10:40 am Outdoor Morning Recess, Grades K-2 10:25-10:40 am
• Bell rings at 10:25 am
• Students exit from designated entrances/exits.
• K students play primarily in the “little toy” area.
• Grade 1 and 2 students do not play in the “little toy” area.
• Supervisors blow a whistle to signal the end of recess.
• Teachers choose in-class time to eat snacks, based on their daily schedules.
10:45-11:00 am Outdoor Morning Recess, Grades 3-4 10:45-11:00 am
• Bell rings at 10:55 am
• Students exit from designated entrances/exits.
• Grade 3 and 4 students do not play in the “little toy” area.
• Supervisors blow a whistle to signal the end of recess.
• Teachers choose in-class time to eat snacks, based on their daily schedules.
12:10-12:40 pm Outdoor Lunch Recess, Grades K-2 12:10-12:40 pm
• Bell rings at 12:10 pm
• Details same as “Outdoor Morning Recess, Grades K-2” above
12:45-1:15 pm Outdoor Lunch Recess, Grades 3-4 12:45-1:15 pm
• Bell rings at 12:45 pm
• Details same as “Outdoor Morning Recess, Grades 3-4” above
2:50 pm Dismissal 2:50 pm
• Bell rings at 2:50 pm
• After hand washing, students exit their designated doors
• Bus students line up in their assigned bus line spots at the north side of the
school (by staff parking). Bus drivers walk students to their bus in order of how
they load/sit.
• Car line pick-up students wait on the island with members of their carpool/
family. Supervisors will manage congestion spots to minimize physical contact.
• Students who walk home with adults will wait for a supervisor to walk them to
the upper sidewalk on Old Clayburn Road where parents are kindly asked to wait
while maintaining a physical distance of 2 meters from others.
3:10 pm • Parking lot supervision ends. 3:10 pm
• Students who haven’t been picked up will wait outside the building
3:20 pm • No students on campus 3:20 pm
9ELEMENTARY (K-4)
COHORTS AND DESIGNATED ENTRANCE/EXIT DOORS
Students and staff will be grouped into cohorts of 60 people or less. Cohorts will enter and exit through specific doors only.
See map on following page for visual. Staff will be outside on the first day of school, helping to direct students to the correct
entrance. All entrances will be clearly labelled.
COHORTS DESIGNATED ENTRANCE/EXIT DOOR
X PRESCHOOL Classroom exterior door (room 223)
KA (Mon, Wed) Trent Classroom exterior door (room 201)
1 KB (Tues, Thurs) Minderhoud Classroom exterior door (room 201)
KC (Full Time) Wikkerink Classroom exterior door (room 207)
KD (Full Time) MacKenzie
2 Side stairwell, south entrance door, around the corner from room 201
KE (Full Time) Thompson
1A Notley Classroom exterior door (room132)
3
1B Dick/Kroeker Classroom exterior door (room130)
1C Dykshoorn Classroom exterior doors (room 227)
4
1D Yan Share 1C’s classroom door (room 227)
2A deWolde/Riezebos Classroom exterior door (room 102)
5
2B Fleming/Ritsema Share 2B’s classroom door (room 102)
2C Worsley-Brown Classroom exterior door (room 104)
6
2D Schmidt Classroom exterior door (room 106)
3A Millard Classroom exterior door (room 108)
7
3B Neudorf Classroom exterior door (room 128)
3C Stewart Side stairwell, upper north entrance door (side of the school)
8
3D Koster Classroom exterior door (room 134)
4A Johanson
9 Lower north entrance door (side of the school)
4B Brandsma/Mulder
4C Dirksen Classroom exterior door (room 137)
10
4D Drader Classroom exterior door (room 138)
X IT, Maintenance, Facilities & Janitorial Front doors
X Admin Office Front doors
X Learning Support Services Staff Front doors
X Student Health Front doors
X Teaching Specialists Front doors
SPECIAL SUBJECTS
MUSIC: In grades 1-4, Mrs. Rae, our music teacher, will come to the classroom for music twice a week for 45 minutes
(except for the portable classes, who will, as a cohort, travel into the music room). Mrs. Rae will be visiting other cohorts
and she will be practicing physical distancing and wearing PPE when she is in classrooms. Joyful Sounds and Joyful
Harmony choirs will not run initially due to COVID-19 restrictions on singing, and whether or not it will begin will be re-
evaluated at a later date.
FRENCH: In grades 1-4, Mme Langelaar, our French teacher, will come to the classroom twice a week.Mme Langelaar will
be visiting other cohorts and she will be practicing physical distancing and wearing PPE when she is in the classrooms.
LIBRARY: Once a week, classes will travel to the library to listen to a story, learn with Mrs. Groot, and choose books.
Students will wash their hands before they leave the classroom and again before they return. A new “DoorDash” book order
and delivery system will allow for students to borrow new books on days that it is not their turn to visit the library. Books
with plastic/laminated covers will be wiped down (cleaned) before being re-shelved. The librarians will be working with
other cohorts and will be practicing physical distancing and wearing PPE.
PE/GYM: Students will only be with their class or with their cohort class in the gym. Students will wash your hands before
they leave the classroom and again on their return. Gym equipment will be limited in quantity and limited to easy to clean,
non-porous items. At this time, extracurricular sports and intramurals will not be happening.
10ELEMENTARY (K-4)
INFORMATION JUST FOR STUDENTS
After digesting all of this information, the next page is just for our students. Feel free to read this with them to help them
understand what school will look like. We hope this helps alleviate anxiety and gets them excited for the start of a new
school year.
ACS ELEMENTARY
DROP-OFF, PICK-UP,
ENTRANCE & PARKING MAP
2A, 2B 2C
2D 4A 4C
3A
4B 4D
3D
KD
KE
UP
UP
3B 1B
1A
DOWN
KA KC
KB
UP
UP 3C
Front
Kindergarten parent door
waiting area
Preschool Bus line
1C up area
1D
Adult waiting area for
students walking home
OLD CLAYBURN ROAD
11JUST FOR OUR
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS (K-4)
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE FIRST DAY
• Teachers, the principal, vice principal, and educational assistants walking around outside, greeting students and families, and directing
them to their entrance doors.
• Proud parents and brave students saying goodbye outside classroom doors, in the parking lot, and in the drop-off zone.
• School buses unloading in the bus lane.
• Exterior doors with classroom names clearly labeled to help students find their entrance.
• Happy teachers welcoming students inside and showing them where to wash their hands.
• A day full of students and teachers creating classroom communities, seeing old friends, making new friends, learning, and practicing
new routines.
• A virtual chapel message to watch in class.
• An outdoor recess and lunch recess with some other classes, but not all classes at once.
• An organized chaos at dismissal time as we learn new line up spots, pick-up procedures, and practice minimal physical contact between
students and 2 metres of physical distance between adults.
WHAT YOU WILL SEE
• Teachers, adults, and some students wearing masks and shields at school.
• Hand sanitizing stations.
• Paper towels in the bathroom for drying your hands after washing them.
• Music and French teachers coming to your classroom.
• People cleaning computer keyboards, iPads, and technology that we use.
• A janitor using disinfectant and cleaning during the school day.
• Lines and arrows in the hallways and on the floors showing you where to walk.
• Round spots where you stand and wait your turn.
• Plexiglass shields in places like the library, learning support services, and the office.
• A new place to line up and wait for the school bus.
• Outside doors with class names on them for student entrances and exits.
• Lots of your own school supplies that you don’t need to share with others.
• Scheduled outside office hours with Mrs. Schuurman and Mrs. Berger.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds every time you leave and return to your classroom, when you sneeze, or when you eat.
• Wait your turn on “wait spots” when asked.
• Follow the arrows in the hallways.
• Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
• In class and on the playground, do your very best to keep your hands to yourself and give others some space (as wide as airplane arms).
• Use your own school supplies (pencils, markers, scissors, glue).
• Eat your own food and snacks. We won’t share things from our lunches or bring treats to share with others.
• Spend a lot of time with your classmates and sometimes students from one other class.
• Learn new things.
• Play with your friends & be kind to others.
WORDS YOU WILL HEAR
CLASS: Your own group, with your own class, where you spend most of your time, with the same teacher and same friends.
COHORT: Two classes that share an entrance and exit door, share some gym time, attend chapels together, and sometimes learn or do
activities together. At the elementary campus we have 10 cohorts, not including the preschool program.
HAND HYGIENE: This means keeping your hands clean. Washing for 20 seconds, using sanitizer, using our own supplies, and keeping our
hands to ourselves as much as possible.
WAITING SPOTS: You will notice round spots around the school. They are places where you wait your turn.
MINIMAL PHYSICAL CONTACT: Inside the building, when you are with your class or your cohort, you try to keep your hands to yourself, not
get too close to others, avoid hugs, high fives, and putting your arms around each other. Outside, we try to do this with everyone we meet
on the playground.
MINIMAL PHYSICAL DISTANCE: Inside the building, when we meet someone from another cohort or learn with an adult from another
cohort, we keep a healthy distance from them.
CARE GROUPS: Teachers won’t be meeting regularly in a large group for devotions or meetings or even for lunch in the staff room.
Instead they will meet, socialize, and spend time together in small, cohort-based, care groups where they continue to practice physical
distancing and wear their PPE.
ROOM PARENT: A mom or a dad who is a virtual connection/point-of-contact for parents in a classroom to stay connected to each other.
12MIDDLE SCHOOL (5-8)
THE NEW DAILY SCHEDULE:
To accomodate the many changes that will need to occur at the middle school campus, the following is a detailed break-
down of our daily schedule and procedures.
MON, TUES, WED, FRI DETAILS THURSDAY
7:55 am Supervision begins (front of the school) 8:45 am
• Students may not enter the building.
• Bathrooms and library are closed until 8:10 am.
• At this time, no before school care is available on late start Thursdays.
7:55 am Parking lot greeters / supervisors begin 8:45 am
8:10-8:15 am Meet your class in the designated area outside of the school 8:50-8:55 am
• Warning bell at 8:15am (8:55 am on Thursday)
• When warning bell sounds, enter the building and go directly to your classroom
• Wash your hands upon arrival in your classroom
8:20 am Bell rings: classroom instruction/devotions/morning meeting, etc. begins 9:00 am
• LATE arrivals: Please use (students only) the front door entrance and wait on
social distancing spots to be checked in by Mrs. Howard before walking to class.
Morning break, regardless of the weather, will be primarily outdoors. Please dress accordingly.
Students will remain in their cohorts during break times. Outside, students can socialize with
a friend in a different cohort if they practice safe physical distancing.
10:00-10:20 am Morning Break, Grades 5 & 8 only 10:00-10:20 am
• Students exit from designated entrances/exits.
• Supervisors blow a whistle to signal the end of recess.
• Teachers choose in-class time to eat snacks, based on their daily schedules.
10:45-11:05 am Morning Break, Grades 6 & 7 only 10:45-11:05 am
• Students exit from designated entrances/exits.
• Teachers choose in-class time to eat snacks, based on their daily schedules.
11:05 am • Bell rings to end break for grade 6 and 7 11:05 am
• ALL students begin their next class
12:35-12:50 pm Middle School Lunch Break (Part 1) 12:35-12:50 pm
• Bell rings at 12:35 pm
• Grades 5 and 8: Students eat and socialize in class
• Grades 6 and 7: Students spend time in assigned cohort areas
• Students exit from designated entrances/exits
12:50-1:10 pm Middle School Lunch Break (Part 2) 12:50-1:10 pm
• Bell rings at 12:50 pm to initiate switch
• Grades 5 and 8: Students spend time in assigned cohort areas
• Grades 6 and 7: Students eat and socialize in class
• Students exit from designated entrances/exits
• Bell rings at 1:10 pm to end lunch break. Afternoon classes begin.
2:50 pm Dismissal 2:50 pm
• Bell rings at 2:50 pm
• Students put on masks
• After hand washing, students exit their designated doors
• Bus students line up in their assigned bus line spots
• Car line pick-up students wait on the island with members of their carpool/
family. Supervisors will manage congestion spots to minimize physical contact
• Students who walk home with adults, will wait in a pre-arranged area. Parents
are kindly asked to wait while maintaining a physical distance of 2m from other
people.
3:10 pm • Parking lot supervision ends. 3:10 pm
• Students who haven’t been picked up will wait outside the building
3:20 pm • No students on campus 3:20 pm
13MIDDLE SCHOOL (5-8)
COHORTS AND DESIGNATED ENTRANCE/EXIT DOORS
Students and staff will be grouped into cohorts of approximately 60 people. Cohorts will enter and exit through specific
doors only. Staff will be outside on the first day of school, helping to direct students to the correct entrance. All entrances
will be clearly labelled.
COHORTS DESIGNATED ENTRANCE/EXIT DOOR
5A Scholing/Still
1 Front doors
5C van der Leek/Van Eerden
5B Thiessen
2 Front doors
5D Van Geest
6A Bakker
3 Front doors
6B Morrow
4 6C Williams Front doors
7A Friesen/Barthel
5 Portable entrance
7B Chowdhry
7C Erickson
6 Portable entrance
7D Verbeek
8A Borders
7 Portable entrance
8B Schut
8C Van Dop
8 Portable entrance
8D VanderEnde
X IT, Maintenance, Facilities & Janitorial Front doors
X Admin Office Front doors
X Learning Support Services Staff Front doors
X Student Health Front doors
X Teaching Specialists Front doors
SPECIAL SUBJECTS
MUSIC:
• In grade 5, Mrs. Richmond, our music teacher, will come to your classroom twice/week for 45 minutes each time.
• In grade 6, classes will travel to the secondary music room to see Mr. Workman twice/week for 45 minutes each time.
Students will be required to wear a face covering when they are in the hallways traveling to the music room.
• In grade 7, each cohort will be divided into band and music appreciation sections. One cohort will have band with Mr.
Workman in the music room, while the other cohort will have band in one of the portables with Mrs. Barthel. Likewise,
each cohort of music appreciation will meet in a different classroom with either Mr. Verbeek or Ms. Erickson.
• In grade 8, band students will travel to the music room to meet with Mr. Workman. There will be two cohorts of music
appreciation taught by Ms. Borders and Mr. VanderEnde.
• The extracurricular Knight Sounds program will not run initially due to COVID restrictions on singing, and whether or not
it can begin will be re-evaluated at a later date.
FRENCH:
• In grades 5 and 7, Mme. Letourneau, our French teacher, will come to your classroom twice/week and she will practice
physical distancing when she is in your classroom.
• In grade 6, Mrs. Morrow will come to your classroom twice/week and she will practice physical distancing.
• In grade 8, Mrs. Schut and Mrs. Friesen will come to your classroom twice/week and they will practice physical
distancing.
LIBRARY:
• In grades 5-7, once/week your class will travel to the library to learn and choose books with Mrs. Letourneau.
• In grade 8, the humanities teachers (Ms. Borders and Mr. VanderEnde) will take your class to the library to learn and
choose books.
• You will wash your hands before you leave and when you return to your classroom.
14MIDDLE SCHOOL (5-8)
• Books with plastic/laminated covers will be wiped down (cleaned) before being re-shelved
• The librarians (Mrs. Schwenneker and Mrs. Wilson) will work with other cohorts and will practice physical distancing.
• The library will be closed before and after school.
PE/GYM:
• When your class has time in the gym, you will be by yourself (your own class) or with your cohort class.
• You will wash your hands before you leave and when you return to your classroom.
• Gym equipment will be limited in quantity and limited to items that are easy to clean and non-porous.
• At this time extracurricular sports are on hold.
SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
NEWCASTLE TRIP: Our grade 7’s will not be able to travel to Newcastle Island during the first month of school. We hope
that this trip can take place in the spring if provincial health guidelines will allow for it.
SALTS SAILING TRIP: Our grade 8 sailing trips are planned for the spring, in the hopeful expectation that provincial health
guidelines will allow for it. As this trip take place one class at a time, there are less concerns regarding numbers of students
and physical distancing.
SERVICE PROJECTS: All off-campus service projects have been cancelled at this point. There is some possibility of working
in local parks and we will continue to work on this option. We will also consider how to implement service projects within
cohort groups if possible.
EXPLORATORIES: All of our exploratory programs will proceed as normal, with slight alterations to follow the ACS Health &
Safety Policy. Grades 6 and 7 will enjoy the first of four X-Blocks beginning in October, while grade 8 students will continue
with the typical program of rotating through textiles, tech-ed (woodworking), and foods. We are excited that our students will
still be able to explore the talents God has given them through this key middle school experience.
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
After digesting all of this information, the next page is just for our students. Feel free to read this with them to help them
understand what school will look like. We hope this helps alleviate anxiety and gets them excited for the start of a new
school year.
15JUST FOR OUR
MIDDLE SCHOOLERS (5-8)
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE FIRST DAY
• Teachers, the principal, vice principals, and educational assistants walking around outside greeting students and directing them to their
assigned cohort spots on the main field
• Parents and students saying goodbye outside the school building, in the parking lot, and even in the drop-off zone
• School buses unloading in the bus lane
• Teachers welcoming students at their assigned cohort spot on the field and then bringing their class into the building between 8:10 am
and 8:15 am
• A day full of students and teachers creating classroom community, seeing old friends, making new friends, learning and practicing new
routines
• A virtual chapel message to watch in class
• An outdoor break and lunch break with some other classes from their cohort, but not all classes at once
• An organized chaos at dismissal time as we learn pick-up procedures and practice minimal physical contact between students and a
2-metre physical distance between adults
WHAT YOU WILL SEE
• Teachers, adults, and students wearing masks and/or shields at school
• Hand sanitizing stations
• Paper towels in the bathroom for drying hands after washing them
• Teachers coming to your classroom for French, music, and other special subjects
• Students wearing masks as they move from their cohort classrooms to the gymnasium and band room for class
• Students wearing masks in the hallway before school and after school (when not in their cohort)
• People cleaning computer keyboards, iPads, and technology that we use
• A janitor using disinfectant and cleaning during the school day
• Lines and arrows in the hallways and on the floors showing you where to walk
• Round spots where you stand and wait your turn
• Plexiglass shields in places like the library, learning support services room, and the office
WHAT YOU WILL DO
• Bring and use your own school supplies (pencils, markers, scissors, glue). There will not be any sharing between students
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds or sanitize your hands every time you leave and return to your classroom, before and after you eat, and
every time you cough, sneeze, and blow your nose. Be sure to cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Wait your turn on “wait spots” when asked and follow the arrows in the hallways.
• Wear a mask when you are entering the building in the morning, leaving your classroom after school, and when you are traveling to the
gym or other campus areas away from your classroom.
• In class and on the playground, do your very best to keep your hands to yourself and give others space .
• Eat your own food and snacks. We won’t share things from our lunches or bring treats to share with others.
• Spend a lot of time with your classmates and sometimes students from the other class in your cohort.
• Learn new things.
• Play with your friends & be kind to others.
WORDS YOU WILL HEAR
CLASS: Your own group, with your own class, where you spend most of your time, with the same teacher and same friends.
COHORT: Two classes that share an entrance and exit door, share some gym time, attend chapels together, and sometimes learn together,
or do activities together. At the elementary campus we have 10 cohorts, not including the preschool program.
HAND HYGIENE: This means keeping your hands clean. Washing for 20 seconds, using sanitizer, using our own supplies, and keeping our
hands to ourselves as much as possible.
WAITING SPOTS: You will notice round spots around the school. They are places where you wait your turn.
MINIMAL PHYSICAL CONTACT: Inside the building, when you are with your class or your cohort, you try to keep your hands to yourself, not
get too close to others, avoid hugs, high fives, and putting your arms around each other. Outside, we try to do this with everyone we meet
on the playground.
MINIMAL PHYSICAL DISTANCE: Inside the building, when we meet someone from another cohort or learn with an adult from another
cohort, we keep a healthy distance from them.
CARE GROUPS: Teachers won’t be meeting regularly in a large group for devotions or meetings or even for lunch in the staff room.
Instead they will meet, socialize, and spend time together in small, cohort-based, care groups where they continue to practice physical
distancing and wear their PPE.
16SECONDARY (9-12)
THE NEW DAILY SCHEDULE:
A detailed weekly bell schedule will be provided on the first day of school. Classes begin at 8:15 am on Tuesday September
8, 2020. A tentative schedule can be found below. Please note that during the first week of school we will not have linear
classes or an independent learning day. From Tuesday-Friday we will run a Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday schedule.
GRADE 9 & 10
Thursday
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday
(late start)
8:15 Block A Block B 9:05 Block B 8:15 Block A
9:30 Break Break 10:30 Break 9:45 Break
9:45 Block A cont’d Block B cont’d 10:45 Block B 10:00 Block A cont’d
11:00 Lunch Lunch Grade 9 & 10 12:00 Lunch 11:30 Lunch
Independent
11:30 Block B Block A Learning Day 12:30 Block A 12:00 Block B
1:00 Break Break 1:30 Break 1:15 Break
1:15 Block B cont’d Block A cont’d 1:45 Block A 1:30 Block B cont’d
2:50 Dismissal Dismissal 2:50 Dismissal 2:50 Dismissal
GRADE 11 & 12
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:15 Block A Block B 9:05 Block B 8:15 Block A
9:45 Break Break 10:15 Break 9:30 Break
10:00 Block A cont’d Block B cont’d 10:30 Block B 9:45 Block A cont’d
11:30 Lunch Lunch 11:30 Lunch 11:00 Lunch
Grade 11 & 12
Linear Courses
12:00 Block B Block A 12:00 Block A 11:30 Block B
1:15 Break Break 1:15 Break 1:00 Break
1:30 Block B cont’d Block A cont’d 1:30 Block A 1:15 Block B cont’d
2:50 Dismissal Dismissal 2:50 Dismissal 2:50 Dismissal
17SECONDARY (9-12)
GRADE 9 & 10 COURSE SCHEDULE
QUARTER 1 QUARTER 2 SPRING SEMESTER
Block A Block B Block A Block B Block A Block B Block C Block D
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 & 4
• Grade 9 & 10 students will be in the quarter system for the first half of the year. This allows students to focus on two
courses at a time during peak cold and flu season (when we may have to change educational phases). This will allow
for a seamless transition for them.
• In the last half of the year students will be placed in a cohort and engage in a selection of academic courses (math,
science, French) that many students would find difficult in a quarter system due to the intensity and pacing of those
classes. ACS reserves the right to change the spring semester to a quarter system if any changes in COVID-19 phases
remain in place.
GRADE 11 & 12 COURSE SCHEDULE
QUARTER 1 QUARTER 2 QUARTER 3 QUARTER 4
Block A Block B Block A Block B Block A Block B Block A Block B
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
• Quarters for grade 11 and 12’s provide the opportunity for more student choice, as they only choose two classes at a
time instead of selecting four courses at a time in a semester.
• Each student will select a linear course that will occur every Wednesday throughout the school year.
• Students in grade 11 and 12 may take one study block during the year (if a course in their cohort doesn’t align with
their program). Students MUST be off campus during their study block.
• Students in grade 11 and 12 may be granted one online block (in addition to their study block) if they adhere to ACS’s
online study policy. (Online courses will not be provided by ACS.) Students MUST be off campus during their online
block.
COURSE SELECTIONS
• The secondary staff will reach out to all students within the next few days to assign / re-select their courses in order
to create their schedule for the year.
WEDNESDAYS
• Our grade 9 and 10’s will receive each Wednesday as an independent learning day to complete activities assigned
by their class teachers. In addition, some students may use this day to keep current on course work. Teachers
may require online ZOOM meetings or provide additional learning support on Wednesdays as well. This is a great
opportunity to ease the transition to half-day courses and give students every chance to be successful in this new
learning schedule. This will also give our junior students time and experience operating in an online environment so
that if a change in phase is required their transition will be easier.
• Our grade 11 and 12’s will each participate in a linear course on Wednesdays. These courses often require additional
time and by providing time on a Wednesday, teachers can be offsite or give students opportunities to explore learning
opportunities that may require additional time.
• Students will be automatically enrolled in a linear course if they previously chose a course that has been assigned
as linear. Students who have not been enrolled in a linear course will have the option to choose a course, as space
allows, during the first week of school.
LOCATIONS
• Grade 9 & 10: Second floor (divided into areas)
• Grade 11 & 12: First floor (divided into areas)
18You can also read
