February 16th-19th, 2021

School Reopening

On Wednesday, February 3, 2021 the Minister of Education announced schools in York Region will re-open for in-person learning on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. York Region District School Board and York Region Public Health are working closely together and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community. This includes updating our screening guidance and implementing more stringent protocols. Please visit york.ca/safeatschool for up to date information on public health measures related to school reopening.

Updated Screening Guidance

Effective immediately, all students and staff are required to complete a York Region Public Health school and child-care screening tool. Staff will be required to confirm that the screening is completed prior to entering the school. Keeping Parkview safe is a shared responsibility between home and school, parents/guardians MUST complete the screening daily for their child, this is the way to ensure everyone’s safety at Parkview.

Effective Immediately:

·If a student or staff member has ONE symptom of COVID-19 they are required to stay home from school and child-care and get tested for COVID-19 at an Assessment Centre

·If anyone in a household has travelled outside of Canada, everyone must stay home from school and child-care until the 14-day quarantine period has finished, except for essential reasons

·If anyone in your household is sick and has not tested negative for COVID-19, or does not have an alternative diagnosis from a health-care provider, all others in the household must stay home from school and child-care until the results are known or an alternative diagnosis is provided

·If someone in the household is identified as a high-risk/close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, the whole household is required to stay home from school for the 14-day quarantine period, except for essential reasons**

Health and Safety Measures

·Three Layers Masks are to be worn at Parkview by students in Grades 1-8 and are strongly encouraged to be worn by our kindergarten students

·Masks are now required outdoors, during recess as well as common areas, in addition to in-class.

·Students are discouraged from congregating before and after school..

·Families dropping off and picking up their children at school are reminded to wear masks and not congregate while on school property.

·Please continue to reinforce hand hygiene practices

It is important that you take time to review our school Parent Handbook that will be emailed out families this weekend

What happens if there is a case of COVID-19 in my child’s class?

Any staff or children who have had close contact with a probable or confirmed COVID-19 case in a school will receive a letter from York Region Public Health advising them to stay at home for 14 days. Certain individuals may receive more instructions from Public Health if the investigation reveals the student/staff/essential visitor is at increased risk of exposure. These individuals will receive a phone call from Public Health to outline any additional requirements, including isolation of household contacts. The identity of any person who contracts COVID-19 is protected under privacy legislation and cannot be shared. Please refrain from contacting the school to inquire about an individual’s identity. You would want this same privacy if your family was affected. We remain committed to respecting the privacy of all students and staff.

We are all looking forward to seeing students in-person. It is our commitment to continue to prioritize safety and well-being for all students and staff.

Inclement Weather

Families are reminded that, in the event an inclement weather day is declared, schools will be closed to in-person learning and learning will take place remotely. Virtual School students are not affected by inclement weather days.

Technology

If you have borrowed a chrome book from Parkview during the lockdown, please ensure that it is returned to school once face to face learning resumes on February 16th. This will ensure that our students have access to technology in class when required. If you have selected EVS and require technology for March 3, 2021 please email the school to request this.

March Break

The Minister of Education announced that they are postponing the March Break to April 12-16

Black Excellence

Celebration of Black History/African Heritage Month has been a part of Canadian society since the 1950’s. Lieutenant Governor Hal Jackman declared February as Black History month in Ontario in 1993, and it was in 1995 that the Honorable Jean Augustine made the same declaration in the House of Commons in Ottawa. These declarations set the stage for acknowledgement of the contributions of peoples of African Heritage to the cultural, economic, political and social fabric of Canada dating back to the early 1600’s. They also increased our awareness that people of African Heritage are an integral part of Canadian history. During the month of February we deliberately reflect upon the legacy of African history in all its various forms, and we join all Canadians in celebrating Black History/African Heritage month. By contemplating on persons of African heritage, famous and not so famous, who have been of significant influence through their ideas, words and actions, we appreciate the place of African history in the history of the world.

YRDSB Presents Black Excellence: Then and Now

YRDSB Presents Black Excellence: Stories from Our Youth