Welcome back BPS Families! This will be the first of a few posts about Back to School – so please continue to check your emails!
We are very excited to welcome our new and returning students and families to school next week and to begin what promises to be an exciting school year. Staff have been hard at work getting ready for a strong start to the year. Please read our communications carefully and reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We want everyone to feel welcome and safe here at school!
This afternoon, you will receive information regarding class placement. For students participating in remote learning, google class code information will also be provided. Please note that we are not making any changes to class placements at this time. We anticipate needing to make a few changes the end of September and will look at things at that time. Our staff worked very hard to place all of our students in classes and groupings that will best support them with thier learning.
First Day of School
It is always exciting to meet and greet each other at the beginning of a new school year! For all Year 2 Kindergarten (SK) to grade eight students, the first day of school is Thursday, September 9th. Once again this year, students will be meeting their teachers outside at 8:40 a.m. in designated areas. Please look for your child(ren)’s class sign. Grades 1-8 will meet on the back tarmac. On the first day, parents/guardians may walk their child to the designated grade line, but we ask you to kindly maintain physical distance and leave immediately after dropping off and confirming dismissal routines. Parents/Guardians are not able to come into the school with the children.
Year 2 Kindergarten (SK) will meet at the kindergarten enclosures at 8:40 a.m. on Thursday, September 9th. Please ensure to remain physically distanced while waiting to drop your child off. Year 1 Kindergarten students (JK) will meet at the enclosure at 1:35 p.m. on September 9th. Please note that there is no bus service for Year 1 Kindergarten (JK) students on September 9th.The first full day for all Year 1 Kindergarten (JK) students is September 10th.
Students will spend the morning of the first day of school focused on health and safety, and ensuring in-person learners understand and are comfortable with health and safety routines. During this time, asynchronous learning activities will be available for remote learners to access. Remote learners will join their class virtually at 1:40 p.m. on that day.
Students will have designated entry and exit doors again this year. Staff will share this information with the students on the first day of school. We will also send a communication to families with the locations.
Daily Screening
As you are aware, our school has many new health and safety measures in place to help keep students and staff safe from the spread of COVID-19. But everyone, including families, plays a critical role in supporting health and safety in our school community. Families are required to use the screening tool daily AND confirm completion of the tool by completing a form linked to your child’s Gapps account.
Process:
•Step 1: Parents/Guardians of Elementary students are required to complete on-line self-assessment COVID-19 School and Child-Care Screening Tool on a daily basis, prior to their child entering the school.
•Step 2: Upon completion of the self-assessment, Parents/Guardians will complete the response to the question: “Have you completed the self-screening tool?” in the Confirmation Form, using their child’s GAPPS account login information.
Face Masks
Properly fitted masks (non-medical) are required for all students in Grades 1 to 8, including in hallways, during classes and on school transportation. Kindergarten students are strongly encouraged to wear a non-medical mask, as well. Students should have 2 extra masks with them daily should they need to change their mask while at school.
Lunches
This year, we will continue to ask that students remain at school for lunch. Please send all necessary food with students in the morning as we will not be able to accept lunch drop offs from family members or outside carriers. Only those students who are signed out by a parent or guardian will be permitted to leave at lunch. We are not currently offering hot lunch programs and will communicate any changes as they happen.
Guide to the School Year
The York Region District School Board has released its Guide to the School Year 2021-2022. This detailed guide provides important information about the York Region District School Board and its schools. It includes information about who to contact if you have a question or concern, and covers a range of information such as busing, homework and parental engagement, items dealing with health and safety, as well as many board policies and procedures. Please note that COVID-19 may affect some of the services or processes outlined in the guide. Please visit the 2021-22 School Year landing page for more information. A hard copy of this guide will also be sent home with your child on the first day of school.
School Year Calendar
The 2021-2022 Learning Calendar outlines the school year by identifying all regular school days, school holidays, professional activity and training days, and early release days. We hope this will help you as you schedule events in the weeks and months to come.
Medical Information
Each year, there are forms that must be completed annually for children with an anaphylactic and/or other medical condition. Please download any required medical forms and email the completed forms to bakersfield.ps@yrdsb.ca. If you have any questions regarding the forms, please contact the office at 905-731-8227.
- Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan
- Asthma Health Care Plan
- Diabetes Health Care Plan
- Epilepsy Seizure Disorder Health Care Plan
- Staff Administration of Medication
- Self-Administration of Medication
For students who are anaphylactic, please send your child to school with 2 epi-pens. One will be kept in the office and the other will remain with your child throughout the school day.
School Bus Transportation
If your child takes the school bus to and/or from school, please confirm their bus route and pick up / drop off times and locations at www.schoolbuscity.com as there are likely changes from last year. We assume all eligible students will be on the bus unless you communicate otherwise.
School and Home Communication
This year we will continue to use the blog, www.bakersfieldps.com and Edsby as our main form of communication. Families who are new to our school who have not yet created an account will receive an email inviting them to sign up with Edsby in the near future if you have not already. Please be sure to accept this invitation. We also recommend that all families set notifications in Edsby and register your email with our blog in order to be alerted to new posts. If you need assistance, please contact the school office. Teachers will be communicating through Google Classroom with regards to class assignments and news.
***Please use Edsby to report lates and any absences including holidays and appointments. You may also call the school to report if the online tool is not working.
We are really looking forward to seeing you next week! Enjoy the long weekend!