Welcome Back to Parkview P.S.!

On By Parkview PS

Welcome back to the 2020/2021 school year!  Whether you and your family will be returning to in-class learning at Parkview P.S. or have opted for Virtual Schooling, we have missed you and hope your summer has been one of rest and good health.

We are planning for a school year like none other. COVID-19 has significantly impacted how we operate and we have been busy thinking about how to navigate these circumstances as we prepare to welcome our students and staff back to Parkview P.S. Much of our direction is based on guidelines from the Ministry of Education and York Region Public Health and, of course, the York Region District School Board. Above all else, in planning for the start-up of this school year, we are striving to ensure a consistent approach to learning and prioritizing the health and safety of students and staff. We will have to remain flexible and recognize that circumstances may change depending on the evolution of COVID-19. We are committed to providing students with regular and meaningful learning opportunities as well as connectivity to staff while also maintaining a safe environment for the entire school community.  We do not know what this year has in store and we will need to be responsive to ensure the safety of our students, staff and community. This may mean changes to the way things work at Parkview Public School throughout the year. We recognize the challenges and anxiety that this uncertainty can bring, but one of the principles that is guiding our planning, and will continue to guide us as we move forward, is our commitment to our students and community members. We encourage you to continue to look at YRDSB’s website for specific board wide information. 

Thank you to our amazing educators who have worked endlessly to support reopening plans.  Parkview P.S. will look different this year.  The installations of decals and signage and the modification of learning spaces has been necessary to ensure students and staff can be learning together in conditions that are as safe as possible.  

We have emailed a slidedeck that contains important information relating to our supportive entry this week and our reopening plan at Parkview P.S.  Detailed information about our procedures for the first days of school, recess and lunch, as well and important health and safety items can be found within.  We ask that you take time as a family to review this information ahead of your child’s first day of school.

You have recently received an email indicating the rotation (grades 1 – 8) and/or group (FDK) for your child’s specific dates to support a safe, staggered entry. Please know that you cannot come in on a different rotation and the dates provided must be adhered to. 

We ask that students remain at home and do not enter Parkview P.S. if :

  • Parent(s)/guardian(s) are concerned that they have been exposed to COVID-19, or have any symptoms of COVID-19, respiratory illness. Even if symptoms are mild, please get tested at one of the local COVID-19 Assessment Centres. 
  • Parent(s)/guardian(s) have been tested and are waiting for results;
  • Parent(s)/guardian(s) have been told to self-isolate by public health or their medical practitioner;
  • Parent(s)/guardian(s) have been diagnosed with COVID-19;
  • Parent(s)/guardian(s) have recently returned from travel that requires a 14 day period of self-isolation. 
  • The use of a mask is not an acceptable measure to attend school for those who are symptomatic/
  • For an up-to-date list of all symptoms, visit  york.ca/covid19

Masking

Students in grades 4 – 8 will be required to wear non-medical or cloth masks while in school, (with the exception for those with a medical condition-you will need to  speak to administration prior to school reopening if this is the case), as mandated by the Ministry of Education. Parents are expected to supply  3-4 masks for their children. Students without a mask will be provided with one upon entry to the school. If a child chooses not to wear their mask, without valid medical concerns, parents / guardians will be phoned for further conversation and may be asked to pick up their child. Students in Kindergarten – Grade 3 are strongly encouraged to wear a mask. Correct mask wearing procedures will be taught (donning and doffing), and reinforced through signage and verbal reminders. Students are encouraged to bring either a paper bag or breathable cloth bag in which to store their masks at their desks during recess times.

Staff will make an effort to provide students with some relief from mask wearing by taking the learning outdoors and offering wellness breaks outside where practical and possible and while maintaining physical distancing in their cohorts.

First Day Procedures

Your child should not arrive prior to 8:15am. At 8:15am staff (wearing safety vests)  will supervise students until entry time, therefore we are asking that parents/guardians depart the premises in order to allow for adequate distancing and avoid crowding once their child has found their teacher. Just a reminder, while dropping your child, please ensure that you maintain a physical distance from others and wear a mask.

On the first day of school, once the bell rings, your child will be greeted outside by their classroom teacher. Staff and students will enter the building wearing masks, following our school entry protocol in order to practise distancing and ensure safety.

Kindergarten students will be  greeted in the kindergarten area at the west side of the school. Please walk your child to the kindergarten side gate. Parents/guardians are NOT allowed to enter the gated area in order to ensure safety and distancing.

  • Students in grades 1 and 2 will be greeted by their teachers  at the north end of the primary wing.
  • Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be greeted by teachers by the junior doors (large tarmac area).
  • Students in grade 6 will find their teachers outside Portable 1 and Portable 2.
  • Students in grades 7 and 8 will find their teachers by the intermediate doors (east side of the tarmac).
  • Please ensure that you provide dismissal information to your child’s classroom teacher.

Emergency Contact Information:  We require updated contact information for each child at Parkview P.S.  Parents must provide accurate and up-to-date emergency contact information to the main office as soon as possible, including individuals authorized to pick up your child from school.  Index cards will be sent home for review and we ask that each family have a plan should their child become ill and needs to be picked up.

All communication from the school comes via:

We would like to remind all of our families that our goal is to work together to support the well-being of all our students. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to working in partnership with our Parkview Community.

Please visit our School Website for all up-to-date school information.