South March Public School - SMPS Family Update - Monday, March 1, 2021 Proud, Positive, Powerful Penguins - OCDSB
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South March Public School
SMPS Family Update - Monday, March 1, 2021
Proud, Positive, Powerful Penguins
Welcome to another great week at South March!
Parents are required to screen their children daily for symptoms of COVID-19
BEFORE SENDING THEM TO SCHOOL. Use this o nline tool provided by Ottawa Public Health
to do daily screening. We all need to work together, to ensure our school remains safe.
SMPS Families,
I’m finding it hard to believe that we are entering the month of March already. It has been a
long YEAR! On Tuesday, the SMPS school community raised $ 738 for the Education
Foundation @EFOttawa. Great job! You can still donate through the school until March 1st.
https://ocdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ After that you can go directly to the Education Foundation website to make a
donation - anytime!
On Wednesday, SMPS students and staff recognized “PINK SHIRT DAY”. A day to recognize the importance of
friendship, compassion, kindness, inclusiveness, and to promote anti-bullying. Mme Szucs put together another video
to promote this message. Check out the video: h
ttps://youtu.be/JdNWbRmaNIo
A HUGE thank you to SMPS School Council for their thoughtful and uplifting gesture of
encouragement and appreciation last week. These treats were enjoyed by all staff
including teachers, EAs, ECEs, custodians, bus and van drivers, as well as
crossing-guards. What an awesome community!
“March Break” Spirit Week - Looking ahead to the week on March 15-19, SMPS will
hold a Spirit Week to shake things up during this long month. P
lease see the attached
flyer for more information.
Preparing for September 2021
The OCDSB is planning for the safe return to in-person learning in September 2021.
Parents will be asked to confirm whether their child will return to school in-person or
attend virtual school for the 2021-22 school year. Please see the attached information
flyer. An email from the school will be sent out to families soon.
NEW- Single-Symptom Screening:
Last week, Ottawa Public Health updated their COVID screening tool for students to reflect stricter requirements from
the provincial Ministry of Health. Students and children with any new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19, even
those with o
nly one symptom, must stay home (self-isolate) until:
● They receive a negative COVID-19 test result, their symptom(s) are improving, they have no fever, and they are
feeling well enough to go to school;
● OR, if the child does not get tested, it has been 10 days since the onset of their symptom(s), symptoms are
improving, they have no fever and they ae feeling better.
● They receive an alternative diagnosis from a heralth care professional.
As a school community we have been doing REALLY WELL ensuring that students are not sent to school ill and in the
rare case when a child shows signs/symptoms while at school, families have been great at picking up, isolating and
having their child tested. Let's keep this trend going to ensure our school is safe to teach and learn.
If you have any questions about whether you should send your child to school please follow the OPH screening tool
and e rr on the side of caution.
● The updated OPH screening tool can be found here: OPH daily screening tool for students
● An information sheet can be found here: U
pdated COVID Screening.pdf
Student Drop-off and Pick-up
A reminder about student drop-off and pick-up – please park in designated areas, wear a
mask, maintain physical distancing and do not linger afterwards.
In the school parking lot I have a few concerns that I need your help with...While in the
parking lot please:
➔ Spread out while waiting for your child
➔ Do not congest/block the pathways so that people can safely get to their destination
➔ Wear your mask while on school property
➔ ENSURE YOUR CHILD IS NOT PLAYING ON THE SNOW HILLS, especially near the
parking area. This is unsafe.
➔ Leave as soon as you have your child Unfortunately, the school yard is not open for
playing before/after school, including the snow hills on school property. I would ask
that you proceed to the city park or other green spaces. Much appreciated.
2020-2021 School Year Calendar Update
The Ontario government, based on the advice of health experts, has delayed the
March Break until April 12-16. As a result, school will continue for all students the
week of March 15-19. To view the updated calendar, visit OCDSB’s Elementary
Calendar webpage.
Free Access to French Online Homework Help K-12
FSL Students (Core and Immersion) can get access to Voilà Live’s Virtual Immersion Campus. Every evening from
Monday to Thursday students have access to live Ontario certified teachers online to practice their French and get
homework help in French, English and Math. The Virtual Immersion Campus will be open Monday to Thursday from
5:00 pm. to 8:00 pm. for homework help and French practice.
For Parent/Student registration:
1. Visit h
ttp://voilalearning.com/en/free-online-tutoring/
2. Click on ‘My school board is registered.
3. Complete the form and use the code: OCDSB0.
4. You will receive a link to download the platform the next day. Learn more here.
=
Toronto,
CANADA
Hockey Jersey Day
Florida, Montego Bay, Dublin, Paris, Sydney,
USA JAMAICA IRELAND FRANCE AUSTRALIA
Disney Day Tie Die Day St-Patty’s Day Dress Fancy Day Beach Day
Friday, March 12th: The 1st stop of our weeklong trip is Toronto, Canada, home of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Today, you are invited to wear your favorite hockey jersey to show your Penguin Pride. Monday, March 15th: Our 2nd stop is Florida, USA, home of Disneyworld! Today, you are invited to wear your favorite Disney clothing or costume. No costume masks, props or face paint please. Tuesday, March 16th: Our 3rd stop is Montego Bay, Jamaica home of tie die fashion. Today, you are invited to wear all things tie die to show your Penguin pride. Wednesday, March 17th: Our 4th stop is Dublin Ireland home or the Irish. Today, you are invited to wear your best green, white, and orange clothing as well as your favorite St-Patty’s Day accessories to show your school spirit. Thursday, March 18th: Our 5th stop is Paris France home of Haute Couture. Today, you are invited to wear your fanciest clothing, but please remember, you will be going outdoor for activity breaks, so dress warmly. Friday, March 19th: Our last stop is Sydney Australia, home of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Today, you are invited to wear your favorite but school appropriate beach attire. Don’t forget, to dress warm for activity breaks.
WE’RE READY —
SEPTEMBER 2021
SUPPORTING ELEMENTARY PARENTS IN THE RETURN TO SCHOOL
At the OCDSB, we are looking forward to welcoming students and staff safely back to in-
person learning in September 2021. We know that for some families, the return to in-person
learning may be challenging. The Ottawa-Carleton Virtual School is an option that families
can consider. Here is some information and thoughts for consideration as you and your child
determine the best learning path for the 2021–2022 school year.
IN-PERSON LEARNING VIRTUAL LEARNING
• All elementary programs will be • 50-50 Bilingual Kindergarten, English,
offered Early French Immersion programs will
• COVID-19 safety procedures in place be offered
— distancing, masks, hand washing, • Middle French Immersion and
protective equipment for staff Alternative Program will not be offered
• Cohorting of students and emphasis • Students enrolled in specialized
on smaller class sizes where possible, program class students who opt for
• Staff rotate to classes to reduce virtual learning will be integrated in
student movements regular virtual classroom
• Specialized Program Classes will • School day parental supervision required
be offered • Larger class sizes than in-person
• Extended Day Programs available • Multi-grade groupings more likely
• Students receive 180-225 minutes of
online (synchronous) instruction/day
YOUR CHILD AS A LEARNER
Does your child learn better in an online environment or in-person? Although many aspects of
learning can be replicated in an online environment, the social development, peer interactions
through recess, informal interactions can be quite different.
Think about your child’s learning style, their relationships and their need for social interaction.
Consider how their learning and social needs can best be met.
PARENTAL SUPPORT FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING
Parental support is always important to learning. However, virtual learning through OCV requires
parental supervision and more direct support during the school day, especially for younger learners
and for some students with special education needs.
Families should consider the schedule and needs of your household and what conditions you must
have in place to support virtual learning.
YEAR LONG COMMITMENT
We’re planning for the full school year with as few transitions as possible. Mid-year changes
will be extremely limited; only under the most extenuating circumstance would a move from
virtual to in-person or vice-versa be considered, and this would be space permitting.
Families should determine which learning option best meets their needs for the entire school year.
PROGRAMS
The OCDSB offers a full range of programs and all of these will be available for in-person
learning. In OCV, only three programs will be offered;
• 50/50 bilingual kindergarten,
• English Program (Grades 1-8) and
• Early French Immersion (Grades 1-8).
The EFI program will provide 50% French language instruction in Grade 1-8. English
Alternative and Middle French Immersion will be only provided in person.
Consider the age and grade of your child, their current program and how it meets their needs,
and what impact, if any, a change in program might have.
CLASS SIZES
Class sizes are based on Ministry requirements and the average class size is calculated ac,
not by school. Similar to this year, class sizes will be larger in OCV in order to help maintain
physical distancing for in-person classes. Kindergarten classes will be up to 29, grades 1-3 up
to 23 and classes in grades 4-8 up to approximately 28 students in combined grade classes
and up to 35 in single grade classes.
Families should consider the learning needs of their child and their experience with class size.
SCHOOL DAY
Elementary students attending school in-person will follow the regular school day schedule.
For elementary students in OCV, the school day will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.
There will be 90 minutes of scheduled nutrition breaks and recesses supervised by families.
Families should consider the school day schedule, other childcare requirements to assess
which best meets the needs of their family.
SYNCHRONOUS SCREEN TIME versus CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
Students will use technology in both in-person learning and in OCV. Virtual learning is based
on live video instruction with an educator (synchronous learning) and that requires more screen
time. Students in OCV must complete a fixed number of daily online minutes of learning.
• In Kindergarten - there will be 180 minutes of synchronous learning and 120 minutes of
asynchronous time;
• In Grades 1-8 - there will be 225 minutes of synchronous and 75 minutes of asynchronous time
There will not be any synchronous opt out. Families should consider how their children learn, the capacity to work independently, ability to maintain focus for shorter or longer periods and whether and how the learner is affected by extended screen time. TECHNOLOGY The use of technology is essential to virtual learning. Families requiring a Chromebook for their child will be provided with one. Families should consider the student’s comfort level using technology for their learning and the capacity to support technology issues during the school day. SPECIALIZED PROGRAM CLASSES This year we have learned that the needs of students in specialised program classes are best met through an in-person model. Specialised program classes (both special education and ELD) will be offered in-person only. Families of students presently enrolled in Specialized Program Classes who wish to attend OCV will be integrated into a regular OCV classroom with online support through an Education Assistant, Learning Support Teacher and/or Learning Resource Teacher. The support will be provided as their Individual Education Plan, or through English as Second Language/English Language Development (ESL/ELD) support. CONNECTION WITH SCHOOL COMMUNITY Creating a sense of school community is important. Next year, there will be increased focus on building an OCV school community. Students learning virtually will be registered with OCV, and will join with other OCV students across their family of schools to create an OCV community of learners. Where possible, Grade 8 students will have the opportunity to participate in leaving ceremonies with their peers in their home school. Families should consider their connection to the school community and whether that is a factor in their decision about learning for the 2021-2022 school year. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES As the school year begins there will be limited opportunities for in-person clubs, teams and events in any of our schools. As we move through the 2021/2022 school year and the COVID situation changes, our goal will be to resume in-person extra-curricular activities incrementally and as it is safe to do so. OCV students and staff will be encouraged to pursue virtual and online opportunities for OCV learners, but will not engage in in-person extra-curricular activities. Families should consider their child’s extra-curricular interests and how those needs can be addressed outside of the school day. COMPLETE THE FORM Between March 4th and 14th, the school will send a form by email. Please complete one form for each child and return by 11:59 p.m. on March 14th.
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