May 26, 2020 WSS Newsletter

Westview Secondary School
NEWSLETTER

May 26th, 2020

 June 1st – Return to school (Stage 3)
As you are aware, the Ministry of Education announced there is an opportunity for a partial return to in-school learning on June 1st (Stage 3).  Our secondary schools have been collaborating with our senior management team and partner groups to create a plan that incorporates the Health and Safety guidelines outlined by our Provincial Health Officer, Worksafe BC and the Ministry of Education. In all of our planning, student and staff safety is the top priority.

Last week, parents had the opportunity to submit a district form indicating interest in having their student return to the building in June. We are aware that some parents may not have had the opportunity to complete this district form. If you are interested in having your student return to Westview, please complete the form linked here so we can most accurately plan for what June will look like. If you initially informed the district your child would be attending and now are choosing to keep them home, please email Steve Kater – steve_kater@sd42.ca – with this information.

Stage 3 – Return to School

• In-class learning for children of essential service workers, students with disabilities and students who require additional support, five days a week.
• Kindergarten to Grade 5 part time, two to three days a week, with 50% of students at a time in schools.
• Grades 6-12 one day per week, with 20% of students at a time in schools.
• Remote and online learning continues to be available for students.
• Parent/caregiver choice to return to in-class instruction.

School will understandably be different from how it was before Spring Break. In June staff will be supporting students in their online learning in person, not delivering new content. This will be done in a physically distant manner in larger shared spaces, not individual classrooms (for example the library and the multi-purpose room).

Students have the option to return to their school for time equivalent to one day a week (20%). All high schools in SD 42 have chosen to allocate this time as two mornings per week rather than one full day. This will equate to 20% of students’ learning plan. Students will continue to learn remotely for 80% of the time.

If your student chooses to attend in June, they will wait in a manner that conforms to public health guidelines outside the main doors. Beginning at 8:30, administrators will conduct a health screening and inquire on the subjects students will be working on in order to connect students with staff with expertise in these areas. Students will then be directed to the washroom to wash their hands. The vast majority of students will be working and have their learning supported in the library or MPR.

Students are divided into two groups for the return to school:

Group 1 – (A-K)

• Monday, June 1st – 8:30am-11:10am
• Wednesday, June 3rd – 8:30am-11:10am
• Monday, June 8th – 8:30am-11:10am
• Wednesday, June 10th – 8:30am-11:10am
• Monday, June 15th – 8:30am-11:10am
• Wednesday, June 17th – 8:30am-11:10am
• Monday, June 22nd – 8:30am-11:10am
• Wednesday, June 24th – 8:30am-11:10am

 Group 2 –  (L-Z)

• Tuesday, June 2nd – 8:30am-11:10am
• Thursday, June 4th – 8:30am-11:10am
• Tuesday, June 9th – 8:30am-11:10am
• Thursday, June 11th – 8:30am-11:10am
• Tuesday, June 16th – 8:30am-11:10am
• Thursday, June 18th – 8:30am-11:10am
• Tuesday, June 23rd – 8:30am-11:10am

This focused work time is NOT a time to connect with peers or socialize. Here is a link that outlines expected student behaviour, from our Superintendent with some recommendations as well for students entering into Westview in June (bring your own food and drink, no water fountains, no sharing of writing instruments, etc.) Cafeteria services and vending machines will not be available. Staff will be divided as to when they are supporting student learning at Westview and when they are supporting remote learning. Your teacher may not be available every day you are in the building, but all subjects will be represented every day.

Additionally, we are asking students to bring their computers from home if they have chosen to re-enter the building the week of June 1, as many of Westview’s devices were loaned out to students.

If your child presents symptoms of illness while on campus, they will self-isolate in a designated room with an adult. You will be contacted and required to come to campus as soon as possible to pick up your child. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and understanding with the protocols outlined for your child’s return to the classroom.

School Community
Basketball Academy did something pretty unique this past week – take a look at this link to see different members of the Basketball Academy reading children’s story books online!

Here is a great project completed by two of our Grade 8 Woodshop students. Take a look at this link and at this link to see submissions of a marble challenge using recycled materials. Well done!

Survey – Have a Question?
Have a question that you would like answered. If you fill in this form (LINK), we will ensure you receive a response.

Key Contacts
If you have any questions or need any supports for your learning, some key contacts are listed below.

Below are key school contacts:

• O’Leary (Counsellor – Gr. 8, 10 & 12s A-L)
  • lauren_oleary@sd42.ca
• Sharpe (Counsellor – Gr. 9, 11 & 12s M-Z)
  • shannon_sharpe@sd42.ca
• Kater (Vice Principal – Gr. 9 &11s)
  • steve_kater@sd42.ca
• Lindgren-Streicher (Vice Principal – Gr. 8 &10s)
  • karl_lindgren-streicher@sd42.ca
• Rowell (Principal – Grade 12s)
  • drowell@sd42.ca