August 28th, 2020

A warm welcome to all our students and their families for the 2020-21 school year.

This past year has been a good reminder about the importance of relationships, kindness, and compassion.  I have had time to reflect and appreciate what school means and the benefits of hallways filled with smiling faces, daily check-ins, and enthusiastic displays of friendships- we’ve missed them!  This new year may bring with us some different outlooks, but it will also bring our Trillium family back together, and for that, we couldn’t be more excited.

School Year Start:

For those students attending Trillium for in-person classes we hope to see you either Tuesday, September 8th (last names starting with A through L) or Wednesday, September 9th (last names starting with M through Z). The start of the school year is staggered across the WRDSB.

For those of you enrolled in the distance learning portion information should be coming from the WRDSB sometime next week.

A Day in the Life- What School will look like:

Things will look a bit different at Trillium this year and you can help prepare your child by talking to them about what to expect.  Teachers will be working hard to get things ready and training to ensure everyone stays safe and healthy.  Here are some of the things you and your children can expect in the coming weeks:

Before School

  • Make sure your child has the items they will need for the day
    • Mask.  (Please come on first day with a mask.  We will hand out 5 reusable/washable masks, but you will need one to enter on the first day)
    • Packaged lunch –Students are asked to stay on school property and not be signed out at lunch.  We also will not accept fast food/hot deliveries in the office to reduce health and safety concerns.
    • Reusable water bottle, labelled with your child’s name on it for bottle filling station (water fountains are not available)
    • Items not needed for school should be left at home as there will be limited space for students to store items- consider sending just a lunch bag and pencil case.
    • Students do not require an extra pair of indoor shoes in September
    • Be sure you have completed screening your child for COVID-19 symptoms. If your child is showing any symptoms, please keep your child home. This must be done EACH day.
  • When dropping off students at school, only one parent or caregiver should bring your child(ren)to school to limit the number of people at the school and to support physical distancing.
  • The Board has indictated that we will not be able to have parents enter the school in order to keep the number of contacts to a minimum. If you need to speak to a staff member, please call the office to set up an appointment with the teacher.

Arriving At School

  • Children who walk to school are encouraged to arrive at school as close to the start time as possible and they should arrive at school with their mask on.
  • Children who take the school bus to school should keep their masks on when they get off the school bus
  • Children will have a pre-arranged arrival location at school. We ask that parents do not accompany their children onto school property.  Kindergarten parents may do so until their child has been greeted by their teacher, but MUST adhere to physical distancing.
  • Teachers will greet their students in the designated area
  • Before entering the school, teachers will provide hand sanitizer to students. Teachers will bring their students into the school in a physically distanced way- each class will have their own designated entry/exit door.
  • If a student arrives late, we will have a touch free sign in process for the student at the front entrance

During Class

  • Students will remain in their classrooms for most of the day and with their own class cohort
  • For those schools with specialized teachers (ie for Phys Ed, French or Music) subject teachers will be coming to the students as much as possible
  • Students will have access to the essential learning materials they will need for the school day
  • Bathroom breaks are available for students when needed

During Lunch

  • Students will have an opportunity to clean their hands before and after they eat
  • Students will eat their lunch in their classroom and at their own desk
  • Please ensure that students are able to open any food containers on their own and bring their own utensils

During Outdoor Time

  • Weather permitting; students will enjoy their outdoor time throughout the school day and with their classroom cohort. Do your best for dressing appropriately for the weather.
  • Students will not be able to play on playground equipment in order to support health and safety
  • Outdoor time will be staggered to help minimize the number of students outdoors at one time
  • Students will not have to wear masks while outdoors, if able to practice physical distancing
  • Before entering the school, teachers will provide hand sanitizer to students. Teachers will bring their students into the school in a physically distanced way.

After School

  • During the last period of the day, staff will help students walk to the appropriate dismissal area.
  • Parents or caregivers are asked to pick up students at a common meeting place.
  • Parents and caregivers are again reminded to wear masks and ensure physical distancing while on school property and picking up children.

FAQs

We are working as a team to meet all Ministry and Public Health requirements and will continue to adapt to the situation as it unfolds.  Your child’s teacher will reach out to connect and work with you and our students to make sure everyone feels comfortable.  Our goal is for staff, students and our parents to feel connected and engaged in a safe learning environment.   Feel free to check out the School Board’s Frequently Asked Question section

We have never had a start up year like this in our lives, but we promise to work hard to reduce risks and to guide and teach with compassion and understanding as we take on these challenges.  We look forward to working together to make this year amazing!

Mrs. S. Shonk