NURTURING A Parent Guide for the Reopening of our HOPE Schools Hamilton?Wentworth Catholic District School Board Believing, Achieving, Serving Message from the Chair and Director Over the past several months, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board has been planning for the safe return to in-school learning in the age of COVID. Despite the provincial mandate on July 30 announcing the return to conventional learning for elementary students and a hybrid delivery model for secondary students, the school reopening will be far from conventional as we know it. What we hope to provide is a school year that is as close to normal as possible while ensuring the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff. Schools in the HWCDSB are taking all steps possible to create a safe learning environment for students and staff based on the Ministry of Education guidance and advice from Public Health professionals. This Parent Guide for the Reopening of Our HWCDSB Schools has been prepared to provide parents and guardians with an understanding of what the new conventional and remote learning will look like and to outline the various safeguards, structures and protocols that have been put in place to keep our students and staff safe. This guide is intended to provide answers to your questions and assurances that every effort is being made for a safe return to school. We remain committed to working with you, listening to you and communicating with you as we prepare for the start of the new school year and all the experiences and opportunities that come with it. We want to recognize the commitment and efforts of trustees, employee group representatives, system and school leaders and staff who have worked so hard with regard to our school reopening plan. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school in September and pray that our Lord Jesus Christ showers you, your families and our dedicated staff with all of his blessings. Patrick J. Daly Chairperson of the Board David Hansen Director of Education 1 Timeline June 19 Ministry of Education releases Approach to Reopening Schools for the 2020-2021 School Year July 28 Board of Trustees approves HWCDSB School Reopening Plan July 30 Ministry of Education releases Guide to Reopening Ontario’s Schools July 31-Aug 28 July 4-8 HWCDSB launches ThoughtExchange Consultation into School Reopening July 30 Ministry of Education announces School Reopening Plans July 31 Discussion with Ministry of Education to review preliminary plans Operational plans, protocols and guidelines finalized August 10-17 Parent survey regarding return to school intentions August 24-28 “Drop and Add” period for secondary school students August 28 Sept 1-3 Professional Activity Days – Faith Formation & Staff Training Registration deadline for students new to the HWCDSB September 8 Students return to school 2 ThoughtExchange Consultation on the School Reopening What are the most important things that the HamiltonWentworth Catholic District School Board should consider in developing plans to reopen schools in the fall? The question, part of the HWCDSB’s recent ThoughtExchange consultation into the reopening of schools, generated 10,545 thoughts and 170,533 ratings from 6,765 participants over a 5-day period, July 4-8, 2020 with parents/guardians accounting for 91% of the participants. The ThoughtExchange survey platform invited stakeholders – parents, guardians, students and community members – to share their thoughts on the three possible school reopening scenarios that school boards were asked by the Ministry of Education to consider for September: • a return to conventional in-person learning with enhanced health and safety requirements; • an adapted return based on smaller class sizes, cohorting, alternative day delivery and a blend of in-class and online learning; and, • a continuation of enhanced remote learning with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online instruction. More than half of the respondents “thought” that students should return to school full-time while 32% said they were uncomfortable with the idea. One quarter of parents were comfortable with their children taking school bus while 39% of respondents preferred to drive their children to school and 11% indicated that their children would walk or bike to school. What we heard Eight main themes emerged from the consultation. These included: • • • • • • • The need for parents to return to work and for childcare support; Regular and timely communications with parents/guardians; Enhanced health & safety; Clearly delineated protocols & procedures in the event of an outbreak or COVID-19 positive testing; The need for children to return to in-class learning; A focus on mental health & well-being; and, Special Education support. Input from the ThoughtExchange was carefully reviewed and considered by the board in the development of its Approach to School Reopening for the 2020-2021 School Year. 3 Guiding Principles In developing a return to school plan for HWCDSB staff and students, priority has been given to the following: • the health and safety of students and staff; • excellence, faith formation, academics and co-curricular/extra-curricular opportunities; • equity in educational opportunities – including particular consideration for the preferential treatment for students with special education needs and socio-economic disadvantaged students; • student and staff wellness (mental, spiritual, physical, emotional); • flexibility and adaptability to support individual schools in making decisions that best meet the needs and circumstances of their communities; • ongoing and regular communications with students, families, staff, parishes and community members; and, • regular and effective consultation with employee group/union representatives. Glossary of Terms Asynchronous learning: Asynchronous learning is when students engage in learning that is not delivered in person or in real-time. For example, this could include students watching pre-recorded video lessons, completing assigned tasks, and contributing to online discussion boards. Cohorting: Cohorting is the practice of keeping students together in a small group throughout their school day with limited exposure to multiple teachers or a wide variety of classrooms. Distancing: Distancing means keeping a safe space between persons. Online Learning: Online learning provides students with a fully online learning experience. Lessons and activities are designed to leverage the strength of a learning management system such as myClass. Teachers design opportunities to build community within the class and all support is provided at a distance both synchronously and asynchronously. Online learning leverages pedagogies that are developed with the idea of students and teachers only interacting online. Remote Learning: Remote learning is course content and learning provided for students who normally participate in face-to-face learning. Remote learning attempts to bridge the gap in times of face-to-face disruption but is not intended to replace the face-to-face experience. Remote learning frequently involves the substitution of face-to-face activities in a virtual space. Synchronous learning: Synchronous learning is the use of text, video or voice communication to allow teachers, educational assistants, early childhood educators and other members of the school or board-based team to connect with students in real-time. Synchronous learning supports the well-being and academic achievement of all students, including students with special education needs, by providing educators and students with an interactive and engaging way to communicate. It also facilitates immediate feedback for students and peer-to-peer interaction. 4 Types of Learning On June 19, 2020, the Ministry of Education released its Approach to Reopening Schools for the 2020-21 School Year. School boards were asked to plan for three alternative models for September. The three models are: 1. Regular in-person learning – all students return to school with physical distancing and enhanced health and safety protocols; 2. Adapted learning model – with smaller than usual class sizes, students receive partial learning in person at school and partial learning at home synchronously; and, 3. At-home learning with remote delivery – combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning at home. The Ministry has indicated that Boards/schools should be prepared to move back and forth between the models depending on local public health conditions. School Reopening What teaching delivery method will be implemented in September? On July 30, 2020, the Ministry of Education released plans for the safe reopening of schools. As a result of the Ministry directive, HWCDSB students will begin school on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 with the following returnto-school models: Elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 8): Elementary schools will reopen with regular in-person learning of teaching and instruction with enhanced health and safety protocols. Note: Actual bell times are specific to each school. All elementary students, including those with Special Education needs: • will attend school 5 days per week, with one cohort for the full day; • may see changes in the timing of school entry, recesses, lunches and bathroom breaks as they are staggered; • will be able to leave their classrooms to receive additional supports; • will adhere to enhanced health and safety protocols; and • will be taught hand washing, hygiene and other health measures. Secondary (Grades 9 to 12): After further discussion with the Ministry of Education and school principals, the secondary schools will reopen with an adapted model in which students will study one course at a time with enhanced health and safety protocols: • The school year calendar will contain 187 days; • Each student can be scheduled for up to 8 courses throughout the year; • Teaching blocks will consist of 23 days; • Students will be divided into cohorts of 15 students for each class (e.g., Cohort A/Cohort B) and attend school on alternate days; and, • Students who stay for study hall will be supported by teachers. 5 Secondary Sample Weekly Schedule (Actual bell times are specific to each school): Monday (sample) 8:30 – 10:00 10:00 - 10:05 10:05 – 11:35 11:35 – 12:15 12:15 – 1:30 1:30 – 2:15 Cohort A Period 1: 90 minutes of instruction at School Cohort B Asynchronous Instruction at Home Cohort C Asynchronous Instruction at Home Break Period 1: 90 minutes of Asynchronous InstrucAsynchronous Instruction instruction at School tion at Home at Home Lunch Periods 1: Study Hall or At-Home Learning – Asynchronous Instruction Online (Teacher Planning Time) Periods 1: 45 minutes of online synchronous instruction Students in Study Hall or At-Home Learning Tuesday (sample) 8:30 – 10:00 10:00 - 10:05 10:05 – 11:35 11:35 – 12:15 12:15 – 1:30 1:30 – 2:15 Cohort A Asynchronous Instruction at Home Cohort B Period 1: 90 minutes of instruction at School Cohort C Asynchronous Instruction at Home Break Asynchronous Instruction Period 1: 90 minutes of Asynchronous Instrucat Home instruction at School tion at Home Lunch Periods 1: Study Hall or At-Home Learning – Asynchronous Instruction Online (Teacher Planning Time) Periods 1: 45 minutes of online synchronous instruction Students in Study Hall or At-Home Learning Wednesday (sample) 8:30 – 10:00 10:00 - 10:05 10:05 – 11:35 11:35 – 12:15 12:15 – 1:30 1:30 – 2:15 6 Cohort A Period 1: 90 minutes of instruction at School Cohort B Asynchronous Instruction at Home Cohort C Asynchronous Instruction at Home Break Period 1: 90 minutes of Asynchronous InstrucAsynchronous Instrucinstruction at School tion at Home tion at Home Lunch Periods 1: Study Hall or At-Home Learning – Asynchronous Instruction Online (Teacher Planning Time) Periods 1: 45 minutes of online synchronous instruction Students in Study Hall or At-Home Learning Thursday (sample) 8:30 – 10:00 10:00 - 10:05 10:05 – 11:35 11:35 – 12:15 12:15 – 1:30 1:30 – 2:15 Cohort A Asynchronous Instruction at Home Cohort B Period 1: 90 minutes of instruction at School Cohort C Asynchronous Instruction at Home Break Asynchronous Instruction Period 1: 90 minutes of Asynchronous Instrucat Home instruction at School tion at Home Lunch Periods 1: Study Hall or At-Home Learning – Asynchronous Instruction Online (Teacher Planning Time) Periods 1: 45 minutes of online synchronous instruction Students in Study Hall or At-Home Learning Friday (sample) - would alternate: Week 1: Cohort A, Period 1 (F2F); Week 2: Cohort B, Period 1 (F2F), Week 3: Cohort A, Period 1 (F2F) etc. 8:30 – 10:00 10:00 - 10:05 10:05 – 11:35 11:35 – 12:15 12:15 – 1:30 1:30 – 2:15 Cohort A Period 1: 90 minutes of instruction at School Cohort B Asynchronous Instruction at Home Cohort C Asynchronous Instruction at Home Break Period 1: 90 minutes of Asynchronous Instruction Asynchronous Instrucinstruction at School at Home tion at Home Lunch Periods 1: Study Hall or At-Home Learning – Asynchronous Instruction Online (Teacher Planning Time) Periods 1: 45 minutes of online synchronous instruction Students in Study Hall or At-Home Learning School Pre-registration Why am I being asked to pre-register my elementary and/or secondary child(ren) this year? The Ministry of Education has indicated that returning to school will be voluntary. Parents/guardians will be required to respond to an HWCDSB survey to indicate if their child(ren) will attend school (elementary – regular return; secondary – adapted model) or learn at home (remote learning). This information will be important as limits on class sizes and hiring of staff will be directly influenced by parental/guardian responses. Note: Since staffing requirements need to be in place prior to the school’s opening, once a model of learning has been chosen there will be restrictions on changing between in-school and home learning. Students will be able to rejoin in-school learning after Thanksgiving, Christmas and the March or at the start of the next course in secondary school. To revert back to in-home learning, parents should consult with their child’s school principal. 7 Registration options Parents/guardians with children in elementary schools have two options for September 2020. Elementary learning options for the beginning of school: CHOOSE EITHER REGULAR IN-PERSON LEARNING AT SCHOOL All students return to school with physical distancing and enhanced health and safety protocols. The regular school day would occur with the following adjustments: • Students will attend 5 days a week; • The length and structure of the school day will be as close to normal as possible; • Student movement from the classroom will be minimized; • Careful cohort and contact tracing will occur; • Access to the school will be closely monitored to minimize visitors; • Procedures that support physical distancing, hand hygiene, enhanced cleaning and the use of PPE for staff and students will be implemented; • To the greatest extent possible, start and end of day bell times will be maintained; however, this will be driven by HWSTS transportation services and the bus cohorts that are developed; • Recess and morning entry may be staggered to reduce the number of students on the playground; and, • Lunch will be held in the classroom (elementary). 8 AT-HOME LEARNING Students stay at home every day using a computer/ laptop/ tablet/smartphone and the internet to access the HWCDSB myClass learning management system. • Attendance will be taken daily; • Students are expected to commit to a 5-hour instructional day; • Since the student’s teacher is teaching class throughout the day, students that choose to stay home will have access to: o Synchronous learning from a different teacher with a group of students from across the HWCDSB that are also choosing to do at-home learning; and, o Asynchronous learning - access to pre-recorded lessons, assignments and assessments through the myClass system. Students will post assignments on myClass. Parents/guardians with children in secondary schools have two options for September 2020. Secondary learning options for the beginning of school: CHOOSE EITHER ADAPTED LEARNING Secondary schools will adopt a one-course at a time approach. This means that students study one course at a time. Students are divided into cohorts, i.e., Cohort A and Cohort B with approximately 15 students in each cohort. Students attend on alternating days as per the schedule assigned. This model entails face to face instruction and then time for learning at home. Students can leave at lunch or remain for study hall to complete independent work. Opportunities for synchronous learning will be provided on a daily basis. AT-HOME LEARNING WITH REMOTE DELIVERY Students stay at home every day using a computer/ laptop/ tablet/ smartphone and the internet to access the HWCDSB myClass learning management system. Students will have access to a teacher and opportunities for synchronous instruction at certain times during the day. What happens to the current learning model if the Ministry of Education adds more or reduces restrictions throughout Ontario? Elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 8): In the event that the Ministry of Education moves to a different phase of quarantine, the following two learning models can be applied to the HWCDSB elementary schools: REGULAR AT SCHOOL (Current Elementary Plan) ELEMENTARY ADAPTED LEARNING MODEL AT-HOME LEARNING WITH REMOTE DELIVERY (A) ELEMENTARY ADAPTED LEARNING MODEL – In the event the Ministry of Education limits the number of students in the school per day: • Each class split into cohorts of approximately 15 students; • Each cohort will attend school on alternate days (M/W/alternate Friday or T/Th/alternate Friday); • When not in school students will participate in at-home learning with synchronous and asynchronous instruction; • Some students with Special Education, English Language Learner needs may attend 5 days a week; • Start and dismissal times will vary from school to school. Daily Minutes: 300 instructional minutes; • Primary Program Teacher (PPT) times are sample times and would vary throughout the day; • At-home synchronous time with a teacher (recorded for students unable to attend). Includes 180 - 270 minutes of Synchronous learning/ week; and, • Students remaining with at-home learning all week: Students will be assigned to either Group A or Group B and will follow that same schedule. For the days that say “In School,” the Classroom Teacher and PPT Teachers will have synchronous learning sessions throughout the day. The recorded synchronous learning sessions will be posted on LMS for students who are unable to attend the synchronous sessions. 9 SAMPLE ADAPTED LEARNING TIMETABLE TIMES WHEN STUDENTS ARE INSCHOOL 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. Staggered arrival 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Language/Math 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Language/Math - in school and home groups 10:30 & 10:45 (schedule 15 min recess half school at a time)   11:00 - 12:00 p.m. Primary: Language/Math WHEN STUDENTS ARE AT HOME Check-in LMS for announcements/activities Language - Online (20 mins) LMS (40 mins) Language or Math - Class Lesson (30 min synchronous) (10:30) Snack break (10:45) Arts Teacher - Online (20 mins) and/or LMS activities Junior/Int:Science/Social Studies/ History/ 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. 12:50 - 1:20 p.m. 1:20 - 1:35 p.m. 1:35 - 2:15 p.m. Geography Staggered Lunch Religion Recess/snacks Primary: Lunch Religion - Synchronous Snack Break French Science/Health 2:15 - 3:20 p.m. Jun/Int: French Primary: Social Studies Jun/Int: Physical Education 10 Including daily physical activity (B) ELEMENTARY AT-HOME LEARNING WITH REMOTE DELIVERY (In the event that the Ministry of Education closes all schools again or for families that have requested at-home learning for September): Students stay at home every day using a computer/ laptop/ tablet/smartphone and the internet to the HWCDSB myClass learning management system. A HWCDSB teacher will use a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. • • • • • • all strands of the curriculum will be taught, assessed and evaluated; students shall have 30-60 mins of independent work per day; and, synchronous learning will take place in small group or whole class 30-minute blocks by the classroom teacher; the Teacher/Librarian will support literacy either synchronously or asynchronously where possible; religion class will be taught daily in a live synchronous lesson; and, many lessons will be pre-recorded and posted on myClass. ELEMENTARY AT-HOME LEARNING WITH REMOTE DELIVERY 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. myClass Check-in - announcement/activities 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Synchronous - either Language or Math 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Language 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. 11:30 - 12:00 p.m. 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. Break Arts Religion Lunch Language or Math Language or Math 2:00 - 2:40 p.m. 2:40 - 3:20 p.m. French (Gr 4-8)/(K-3 Activity) Daily Physical Activity/Physical Education Synchronous Whole class twice a week. Small Group 3 times a week. Teacher/Librarian - synchronous or asynchronous   Synchronous or asynchronous Synchronous   Synchronous Student independent work teacher available online Synchronous Asynchronous (Pre-recorded activities) 11 In the event that the Ministry of Education moves to a different phase of quarantine, the following two learning models could be applied to the HWCDSB secondary schools: Secondary: In the event that the government moves to a different phase of quarantine, the following two learning models could be applied to the HWCDSB secondary schools: ADAPTED LEARNING MODEL (Current Secondary Plan) ADAPTED LEARNING MODEL – increased face-toface instruction AT-HOME LEARNING WITH REMOTE DELIVERY Secondary – Fully Online • Students will follow the “one course at a time” model (same as adaptive model) supported by synchronous and asynchronous instruction from the classroom teachers; • Not all courses will be available for fully online and my require a timetable change. Are there any changes to academics this year? Elementary Specific: • Assessments will be provided to identify students’ strengths and gaps in learning to help build fundamental skills that may have been missed since the school closure in March 2020; • Students in Grade 3 and 6 will not participate in EQAO assessments in the 2020-21 school year; • All subjects including French and the Arts in elementary will be taught; • Adaptations may be needed for some subjects/courses to ensure the safety of students, in line with current public health recommendations; and, • Music Programs: In elementary schools, music will continue to be delivered during the first phase of return to school. At this time, students will receive lessons that focus on theory and music appreciation. Instruments will not be distributed. There will be no singing or performances at this time. Health and safety protocols, including physical distancing, continue to be applied. Secondary Specific: • Assessments will be provided to identify students’ strengths and gaps in learning to help build fundamental skills that may have been missed since the school closure in March 2020; • Timetabling of pre-requisite Grade 12 courses will consider post-secondary application and admission deadlines; • For those students graduating before February 2021 who have not yet met the literacy graduation requirement, they should be enrolled in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) or an adjudication process; • Graduating students will also need to meet the 40-hour Christian Service graduation requirement and can do so virtually; • Adaptations may be needed for some subjects/courses to ensure the safety of students, in line with current public health recommendations; • Music classes - There will be no singing or performances at this time. Health and safety protocols, including physical distancing, will be in place and modifications will be made to in-class programming; and, Technological education classrooms will be designed to meet all physical distancing practices as well as health and safety precautions. 12 Health and Physical Education: In elementary and applicable secondary Health and Physical Education courses, efforts will be made to address the overall expectations of the Active Living and Movement Competence strands outside, whenever possible. Direction will be provided by Hamilton Public Health Services. • • • • Where possible, consideration will be given to holding physical education classes outside; Gymnasiums will only be used where physical distancing measures can be followed; Capacity in change rooms will be limited; Physical activities that support physical distancing while also limiting the use of shared equipment will be chosen; and, • Shared equipment will be disinfected regularly and students should be encouraged to practice proper hand hygiene before and after participating in physical activity and equipment use Cooperative Education and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) All cooperative education and OYAP students can attend work placements provided the procedure that has been developed is strictly followed. The procedure includes: • pre-placement health and safety modules, including a focus on COVID-19 preparedness; • co-op placement employers must complete the Province of Ontario’s Employer COVID19 workplace safety plan which must be approved by the Health and Safety Manager before the student begins his /her placement; • the HWCDSB Placement Assessment Form which is to be completed by the Co-op Teacher during a workplace site visit in advance of the placement; and, • the HWCDSB Informed Consent Form, signed by the parent/ guardian. Additionally, sector-specific training and certification will be provided prior to the work placement for OYAP Special Education Elementary: Elementary-aged students with special education needs will attend school on a daily basis and receive the programming indicated in the Individual Education Plan (IEP). Some students with special education needs who meet specific criteria for enhanced health and safety needs, and who require intensive intervention and teaching support, may be assigned to a specific cohort. With parent/ guardian consultation, these students may be assigned to one class. Duration will depend upon the student meeting the transition goals outlined in the IEP. Families will be contacted by the school Principal or Special Education Resource Teacher where this placement is most appropriate. Students whose parents choose to keep them at home will receive virtual, on-line instruction in an asynchronous and synchronous model. 13 Secondary: Secondary-aged students with special education needs will attend school in the adaptive model, e.g., will be assigned to a cohort (A or B) and will attend on alternate days. Some secondary-aged students with special education needs who meet specific criteria for enhanced health and safety needs, and who require intensive intervention and teaching support, will have the opportunity of attending on a daily basis. Families will be contacted by the school Principal or Special Education Resource Teacher where this opportunity is most appropriate. Students whose parents choose to keep them at home will receive virtual, on-line instruction in an asynchronous and synchronous model. Supports for students with Special Education needs: (Subject to individual student learning needs and meeting the goals of the IEP): • Accommodations and/or modifications and/or alternative programming will be implemented as outlined in the IEP; • School and system personnel, including but not limited to school Special Education Resource Teacher, Central Resource Teachers, Social Workers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Child and Youth Workers, Board Certified Behaviour Analysts, Itinerant and Central Educational Assistants, school based Educational Assistants, etc.; • Technology to support IEP goals, e.g., assistive technology, software/applications, FM systems, etc.; • External health partners, e.g., Occupational Therapy, nursing support, etc.; and, • Programming for medically fragile students will be developed in accordance with information and recommendations from Public Health, the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), student medical and other team(s), HWCDSB staff, and parents. Mental Health & Well-Being Students struggling with mental health issues, exacerbated or initiated from COVID-19 and school closure, will be supported by: • School social worker assigned to the school to provide either in-person or virtual, synchronous counselling and services; • School educators provided with resources from Ontario School Mental Health to support students in the classroom (mentally healthy classrooms, responding to student and parent questions/needs, etc.); • Child & Youth Workers (CYWs) to provide support for behaviour and socio-emotional well-being in the school; and, • Board website to provide resources to parents, including addressing children’s concerns at home, pathway to school service, etc. Remote Learning: • A focus will be placed on ensuring mental health supports are available for all students; • These supports will be available in a virtual manner if face-to-face is not possible; and, • School social workers, Student Success teachers, Chaplaincy leaders etc. will be provided supports/professional learning to assist students. 14 Enhanced Health & Safety protocols and Protection Strategies Screening: Ensuring that students and staff are symptom free before entering any of our schools is of critical importance to us. Parents must assess their child(ren) daily and inform the school if they are experiencing any signs of illness. Parents must keep their child(ren) home if sick and report any absences to the school. Parents will be provided with a checklist to perform daily screening of their children before arriving at school. These checklists are available in many different languages, including Arabic, Punjabi, Chinese and Spanish. All staff will be required to complete a self-assessment on a daily basis. Any staff member failing the selfassessment must stay at home, self-isolate and contact the HWCDSB for further direction. Signage: A large amount of signage is being installed in our schools to promote health and safety measures. Signs are posted on all accessible exterior doors as a reminder that self-assessments are to be completed prior to entering the building. Signs on proper hand washing techniques and reminders to students to physical distance are posted throughout the school. Floor decals to indicate spacing and arrows to indicate traffic flow are being installed throughout the schools. All classrooms are being provided signage on proper respiratory techniques, physical distancing and hand washing techniques. Some examples of signage: FEELING SICK? TELL SOMEONE WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER AVOID TOUCHING EYES, NOSE OR MOUTH NO MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE IN ELEVATOR 15 Ventilation: The HWCDSB recognizes that ensuring circulated building air is filtered to the greatest extent possible, that heating, cooling and ventilation equipment are inspected frequently and maintained to the highest standards and that introducing the maximum achievable fresh outside make-up air to the buildings is of the utmost importance in promoting the respiratory health of our students and staff. To that end, the following measures have been undertaken to achieve this: • All of the several thousands of air filters employed within our HVAC equipment have been upgraded; • All of our HVAC equipment is closely monitored and inspected regularly. Coil cleaning and filter changes are done on a rigid preventive maintenance program. The equipment stock has been updated with newer more efficient and effective models on a disciplined capital replacement program ensuring that reliability is very high; • School classrooms with non-sealed windows will be encouraged to open these for free flowing fresh classroom air; and, • Ventilation of buildings in preparation for daily occupancy will be set to begin two hours earlier each morning and will be prolonged an extra two hours after daily occupancy ends. School start/arrival: Elementary: Principals will direct their schools on the process for the first day of school. Information will include: • • • • • • the students’ teachers and classrooms; the designated entrance doors to use; protocols for drop-off/pick-up; physical distancing procedures for entering and exiting the school; procedures for parents/guardians (remaining in vehicles at drop off, no entering the school); and, encouraging students to use active transportation (e.g., walking, cycling) to reduce vehicle congestion at schools. Secondary: Students will be able to access their timetable through mypathtosuccess. The procedure for logging in to myPath is as follows: • Go to myPath.pathtosuccess.ca or to the app on the cell phone; • Log in with student email and password. (Note: If students are registering for the first time, information will be available soon on the school website); and, • The dashboard (or home screen) will appear and the timetable will appear on the left under the student name and information. Entrance and safety protocols will be communicated to students and parents by the school principal prior to the start of the school year. 16 Adapted school environments Schools are being changed both physically and operationally to support the enhanced health and safety strategies that are being implemented. Maintaining proper physical distancing between students and staff whenever possible is extremely important. At the elementary school level, classes will resume according to a conventional model. When students are not in their classrooms, all efforts will be made to ensure that students maintain appropriate physical distancing. Schools are removing unnecessary furniture and spacing desks to allow students to physical distance and provide teachers with as much teaching space as possible. Floor decals are being placed underneath desks so that students know where their desk should be positioned to continue to maintain physical distancing. At the secondary level, class sizes will be limited to approximately 15 students, except in those instances where the physical classroom size allows for a greater number of students with proper physical distancing measures in place. Principals will review the specific design of their buildings and ensure that controls are in place to maintain distancing in hallways, washrooms and any common areas. This will include: • staggering start and/or end times for classes to avoid crowded hallways; • posting signs and marking traffic flow directions on floors and walls; • monitoring halls and washrooms; • limiting the use of washrooms; • reducing the number of students permitted inside the washrooms at one time for physical distancing purposes; and, • eliminating the possible use of facilities that are side by side to ensure physical distancing. Drinking fountains will be bagged and disabled along with every other sink and urinal in school washrooms to support physical distancing measures. Principals will review their school office area and formulate a plan that will ensure the safety of office staff if physical distancing is not possible. This may include protective barriers, face shields, etc. Gymnasiums may be used for additional classroom space if necessary, 17 Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette: Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective strategies to prevent the spread of most respiratory viruses, including COVID 19. Soap and water are considered the best way to effectively clean hands. All school washrooms will be equipped with soap dispensers and paper towels. Students and staff will be encouraged to wash their hands regularly, practice proper respiratory etiquette and avoid touching their face, eyes, nose and mouth. Regularly scheduled hand hygiene breaks will be incorporated into the school’s routine, e.g. regular time intervals throughout day, before/after eating food, after using washroom, before/ after outdoor play, entering/exiting classrooms. Wall mounted and/or free-standing hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed at entrances and exits, and in all portable classrooms where hand washing is not readily available. Sanitizer will also be available in all classrooms. Parents are encouraged to send their children to school with personal hand sanitizer if possible. Educational materials will be displayed in every classroom on hand washing techniques and proper respiratory etiquette to educate and remind students on how to protect one another. 18 Suspected cases and positive test results: The HWCDSB is working with our partners at the Hamilton Public Health Services to develop procedures and protocols that are based on the most recent data and evidence to monitor and respond to reports of COVID-19 symptoms. Any student who experiences symptoms of illness while at school will be immediately separated from others in a separate room where possible. Isolated students will be supervised, physical distancing maintained, and personal protective equipment provided. Schools will notify parents/caregivers immediately and they will be asked to pick up their child from school immediately. Parents will be directed to consult their health care provider. Parents or guardians should immediately inform the school if their child has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be attending school. The HWCDSB will follow all recommendations from Hamilton Public Health should a case occurs at any one of our schools. If a staff member develops symptoms of illness, they will be directed to return home and seek medical attention. If they cannot leave immediately, the staff member will be isolated in a specific area until they are able to leave. Schools will report any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the school to Hamilton Public Health. To support successful case and contact management, schools will keep records of classes including seat plans, transported students including seat plans, and logs of visitors to the school and are readily available to be provided to public health for contact tracing purposes. In the event that a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, HWCDSB will provide Hamilton Public Health Services with the required information to assist them with contact tracing and managing the situation. Persons who test positive may not return to school until they are cleared according to public health guidance. School Boards must report on a daily basis any suspected or confirmed cases within the school community to the ministry. Principals are responsible for communicating with the school community consistent with ministry guidance and relevant privacy legislation. A thorough cleaning procedure has been developed and approved by Hamilton Public Health Services where a case of COVID-19 has been confirmed. 19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Students in Grades 4 to 12 will be required to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, including in hallways and during classes. Outdoor times like recess can be used as opportunities to provide students with breaks from wearing masks within their cohorts. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be strongly encouraged to wear masks in indoor spaces. Students are encouraged to practice wearing masks and learn what type of mask is most comfortable for them. Students may wear their own masks, and cloth masks will also be made available for students. Reasonable exceptions on the requirement to wear masks, based on the advice of a medical practitioner, will apply. Masks with political statements and/or inappropriate messages and graphics are not permitted. The Board’s safe schools policy will be applied to students who refuse to wear masks for other than exceptional reasons. Medical masks and eye protection (e.g., face shield) will be provided for all teachers and other staff of school boards. All school-based staff will be required to wear masks, with reasonable exceptions to medical conditions. School-based staff who are regularly in close contact with students will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment. Students and staff will be instructed to perform hand hygiene before putting on and after touching or removing their masks. 20 Cleaning: Cleaning protocols are being enhanced as a method of maintaining sanitation and cleanliness in the schools. Focus will be on cleaning and disinfecting touch points, with special emphasis on most often and commonly touched surfaces including railings, doorknobs, sinks and other horizontal surfaces. Cleaning plus disinfection of high touch point surfaces will be done at regular intervals throughout the day. A room-by-room analysis has been completed and any area rugs, soft furnishings or other items that cannot be easily cleaned and disinfected will be removed and stored. Students and staff will also be encouraged to promote constant and good cleaning practices. Spray bottles with disinfectant, gloves and paper towels will be provided in all classrooms for staff to wipe down any surfaces, laptops/tablets/keyboards or other equipment. All classrooms will also be provided with hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes. 21 School High Touch Surfaces High Tatum Surfaces DH Fahd: um: sum killings Penn ?llulener ?ash&Tuble his ?In" ran-'1 T'nlI-c'm' . IIJ r' i - Desk Top Door Handle Light Switch Pencil Sharpener Keyboard Mom-.- Tounh Surfaces Transportation Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services (HWSTS) is working with the HWCDSB and HWDSB to develop a return to school transportation plan that will align with each of the boards’ return to school plans. Active forms of travel (e.g., walking and cycling) and private transportation by parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged wherever possible to ease pressure on the transportation demand. A transportation survey is being developed for parents whose child(ren) are eligible for transportation services to indicate whether their child(ren) will be taking the bus to school or will be using another means of getting to and from school. The results of the survey will help to inform the transportation plan. Students will be required to wear face coverings/masks while riding the bus. School bus drivers will be provided with face coverings/masks and eye protection/face shields. School buses will have increased disinfecting protocols for frequently touched surfaces. Siblings will be expected to share single seats. Seating plans will be developed and will be shared with families in advance of school start up. This will assist with contact tracing in the case of a student or driver contracting COVID-19. School bus service will be available at the start of the school day and at the end of the school day, in accordance with the school’s bell times. Bus schedules will be available online for all eligible students during the last week of August. Further details to follow. As a result of the additional operational requirements, loading restrictions and uncertainty about the extent of the bus driver shortage, empty seat/courtesy transportation cannot be considered at this time and will be revisited by Christmas and subject to the circumstances at that time. Staff at the Board and at HWSTS are working hard to ensure that your children will be transported to school in a safe manner. Please be patient with your driver and schedules in the fall. It is not expected to be perfect, but most issues should be addressed in the first several weeks of school. Field trips To align with physical distancing, schools will not plan field trips and activities requiring group transportation at this time. 23 Extra-curricular activities Schools may offer clubs and organized sports if physical distancing is possible and equipment and spaces are cleaned and disinfected between each use. Further planning will be required with consultation with public health. Food Services To the greatest extent possible, students will eat their snacks and lunch in the classroom with their cohort to ensure minimize the risk of contact and COVID-19 transmission. Further, with respect to eating and drinking at the school it is expected that: • Staff and students will perform proper hand hygiene before and after eating; • Students will have their own individual meal or snack with no common food items and no sharing of food/ snacks; • Students will be required to bring their own drink bottle that is labeled, kept with them during the day and not shared; • Use of water fountains is not permitted. Hydration stations will be allowed to be used to fill personal water bottles; • Schools will remove all self-serving food items and microwave use will not be permitted; • Multi-use utensils will be cleaned after each use; • Schools will not plan non-instructional activities that involve students in preparing or serving of food. Third party food services, including nutrition programs, will be delivered in a way that any student who wishes to participate can do so in a “Grab and Go format”; and, • All surfaces, bins and containers for food will be disinfected prior to and after each use. Additionally, the use of common spaces such as cafeterias, learning commons, and auditoriums will be scheduled by the principal when/if required. Please note that established Snack or Breakfast Programs will be modified to offer students prepackaged or individualized snacks. Parent volunteers who would typically oversee the programs will not be needed at this time. Such programs will be maintained by school staff. Contactless payments To reduce the handling of cash, schools will be using School Cash Online. Personal Belongings Personal belongings brought to the school should be minimized, e.g. for elementary students, a backpack, clothing, sunscreen, water bottle, food. Personal items brought to school should be labelled and stored separately in cubbies/ designated areas or the student’s backpack. All personal belongings must return home at the end of the day so that proper cleaning procedures can be conducted. In secondary, the use of lockers will not be permitted. Students will carry their backpack to their class with only what is required to engage in their learning (e.g. Pencil, notepads, textbook as well as food, water bottle). 24 Recess & Playgrounds Elementary students will have opportunities to enjoy outdoor physical activity throughout the day. Outdoor activity times will be staggered to support cohorting. Playground structures will be closed to students until further notice. Hand hygiene will take place prior to and following outdoor activity times. Visitors At this time, only essential visitors will be allowed to enter the school and may do so only through pre-arranged appointments. Parents will not be allowed to enter schools except in case of emergency. Communication between parents and teaching staff or administration will be through phone calls or email. Visits to ensure school safety, such as inspections by fire prevention officers or by public health, will continue to take place. Any visitors to a school will be required access the HWCDSB website and perform a self-assessment and to wear a medical mask while on school premises. Child Care and Before/After Care The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board supports licensed child care delivered by non-profit operators for children between the ages of 0-3.8 years of age and 6-12 years of age. We continue to work collaboratively to ensure that licensed childcare and before and after school programming are available and accessible to support children and families. If you are seeking childcare services, you are encouraged to contact the childcare providers directly and inquire about availability. More information can be found on the Board’s website at https://www.hwcdsb.ca/support/childcaredevelopment/ Community Use of Schools All community use of our schools has been cancelled and will be re-evaluated at a later date. 25 NURTURING A Parent Guide for the Reopening of our HOPE Schools Hamilton?Wentworth Catholic District School Board Believing, Achieving, Serving