Notre Dame Families,
It is hard to believe that we have completed another quadmester. It has been amazing to see the life of our school building come back. Thank you to all of staff and students for ensuring a successful return to in – person learning. We are excited to finally be moving back to a normal 4 period day in a semester schedule. As we turn the page on a new chapter Monday, February 7th, we wanted to highlight some important points for our school community.
- Daily School Screening: The Ontario Government has updated their School Screening Tool for students and staff with significant changes that apply not only to symptomatic individual, but also their household members. Please continue to be vigilant in monitoring for symptoms and completing the COVID-19 School Screening Tool each day. Students attending in – person instruction will be required to show daily proof of confirmation of screening. Families will receive a daily reminder via school messenger. Please do not send students to school ill, even if they have mild symptoms. Students who do not pass their school screening and/or who are isolating, but feel well enough to participate in their classes, will be able to access their classes online.
- Daily Schedule/Student Schedules: Students now have access to their second semester schedules. Student schedules can be found in both My BluePrint and PowerSchool. We have attached for you our daily schedule and instructions on how to access the student schedule. Please note that the official start time of the school day is 8:20am and the official end time is 2:25pm.
- Virtual vs. In – Person Expectations: Students may choose to move from in – person to remote learning at any time during a semester. Students may move from remote to in – person learning at one of the designated re-entry dates: March 21st (after March Break) and April 22nd (after Parent Teacher Interviews, end of Term 1). If your child is a virtual learner, they are not to be in the building.
- Extra – Curricular Activities: As the province of Ontario begins to slowly lift restrictions, currently there is still a pause for all extra – curricular activities at Notre Dame. The return of extra – curricular activities is dependent on the school board and Halton Public Health. As new information begins to come in on returning to extra – curricular activities we will share that information with you. We look forward to brighter days ahead running with our full complement of Irish athletics and clubs.
- Student Lockers/Cafeteria/Water Bottle Reminders: Students who cleaned out their lockers/and or brought their locks home prior to Christmas break are reminded that they require a lock to access their locker. Backpacks will not be permitted in classrooms. Students are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle with them daily as access to water fountains will be restricted to bottle filling stations. At this time, we do not have a definitive date as to when our cafeteria services will resume. Students are asked to bring a lunch with them if possible.
- Access to Washrooms: In January yet again there was a rise of students meeting their friends and socializing in the washrooms, often without their masks being worn. This looked like students meeting before school and on breaks, sitting on the floor eating snacks, and students vaping. Washrooms have a specific purpose and should not be used to socialize. Students are reminded that each washroom has signage containing the maximum number of students allowed in a washroom; there are multiple bathroom options available for students. We ask you to please speak with your child/ren about the appropriate access to washrooms. Moving forward, our response to students who meet to socialize in washrooms may be subject to our progressive discipline policy, this is inclusive of multiple students found in the same stall.
- School Uniform: Students are reminded of the importance of wearing our complete school uniform throughout the day, this includes during breaks and the lunch period. The school uniform speaks to our school tradition and helps to foster a sense of community and belonging. It is also an important safety component for our school community. Students are reminded that a track pant is not a part of the uniform. We encourage students to wear the school pant if they are feeling cold. This is also a safety issue during cold weather. If the fire alarm is triggered, students will not be able to access clothing from their locker. Fire regulations demand that when the fire alarm goes off all must immediately leave the building. Since we have upgraded the uniform pant, more and more students are choosing to wear them daily. Students who choose not to be in full school uniform will not be permitted to class.
- Return of Materials: As the quadmester ends, we kindly ask that students return all borrowed learning materials that they do not require. These materials will be re – distributed as students take new courses. It is imperative that students return all borrowed textbooks and library books. Also, if a student has borrowed technology (Chromebook) that they do not require any more, they are asked to return it. Please note that all technology that was borrowed during the school year must be returned by June 30th the latest. This also includes the Chromebook charger.
- Extended Absence Forms: Students are required to complete and submit an Extended Absence Form if they are going to be away from school for an extended period. Parents/Guardians must sign this form at least three days in advance of the student’s extended absence from school. This form is to be filled out by the student’s teachers and their respective Vice Principal. For absences 15 days or longer a Program of Study Form must be signed and returned or else the student will be demitted. The Extended Absence and the Program of Study forms can be found on our school website under the PARENTS tab.
The Notre Dame Staff is so excited to see you on Monday, February 7th, as we begin our second semester.
Thanks,
The Admin Team