BACK TO SCHOOL INFO - DIVISION 2
September 2020 Start-up and Covid-19 Questions
Please visit the ECH website for more information about the 2020 Start-up Plan and Covid-19 related questions.
School supplies
This year, school supplies were purchased by the PAC for all students. There is $20 fee to pay for the supplies and the PAC started to collect the money in June. If you haven't yet paid for the school supplies, please send a cheque payable to the ECH-PAC as soon as possible or e-transfer to ecolechpac@gmail.com (no password necessary, but do include your children’s names in the memo area). School supplies will be distributed to students during the first week of school and as needed throughout the year.
Pencil cases: Please note that I did not order any pencil cases for students in the school supply order because the pencil cases that were available were of poor quality. I thought that most students probably already have pencil cases at home that they can bring to school for the duration of the school year. Please send a pencil case from home if this is possible.
Pencil cases: Please note that I did not order any pencil cases for students in the school supply order because the pencil cases that were available were of poor quality. I thought that most students probably already have pencil cases at home that they can bring to school for the duration of the school year. Please send a pencil case from home if this is possible.
Proper clothing and footwear for outdoor learning & physical activity
As we are moving into fall and rainy weather, it is very important that all students keep a pair of clean inside shoes at school. Please send inside shoes to school as soon as possible if you haven’t done so yet.
Daily physical activity, indoor and outdoor, is a mandatory aspect of the BC curriculum. Students should always wear clothing and footwear that is appropriate for running, climbing, rolling, and all forms of moving! Please leave fancy shoes and flip-flops at home, and wear comfortable clothing every day.
Outdoor learning and outdoor physical activity will be integrated in our daily routine all year. We will go outside everyday, rain or shine. Students are responsible for arriving prepared for outdoor activities everyday. However, I would like to ask for your cooperation in ensuring that they have waterproof gear (footwear and jacket please) on rainy days.
Daily physical activity, indoor and outdoor, is a mandatory aspect of the BC curriculum. Students should always wear clothing and footwear that is appropriate for running, climbing, rolling, and all forms of moving! Please leave fancy shoes and flip-flops at home, and wear comfortable clothing every day.
Outdoor learning and outdoor physical activity will be integrated in our daily routine all year. We will go outside everyday, rain or shine. Students are responsible for arriving prepared for outdoor activities everyday. However, I would like to ask for your cooperation in ensuring that they have waterproof gear (footwear and jacket please) on rainy days.
Healthy and Sustainable Lunch Box
Throughout the first term, we will learn a lot about healthy eating as part of our Health & Physical Education curriculum. We will analyze the nutritional content of various snacks and learn how to select food options that feed our brains and body the important nutrients that we need in order to learn. Students will be invited to share their ideas for healthy snacks and lunches throughout the year, as well as ways to pack eco-friendly lunches.
Junk food, sugary food (candy, soda pop, etc) and highly-processed food can negatively affect students’ ability to focus, to self-regulate and to learn. In order to maintain a proper learning environment as well as promoting healthy eating habits, I do not allow these items to be eaten in class. Please keep sugary treats for after school and encourage your child to eat a healthy breakfast before school. This will set him/her up for success at school!
As per the Ecole Cobble Hill Handbook: “We encourage students to bring litter free lunches." Reusable containers help to reduce waste, whenever possible. Students who have recyclable plastic containers in their lunch are encouraged to either bring them home for recycling, or to wash them at school and place them in the plastic recycling bins.
Junk food, sugary food (candy, soda pop, etc) and highly-processed food can negatively affect students’ ability to focus, to self-regulate and to learn. In order to maintain a proper learning environment as well as promoting healthy eating habits, I do not allow these items to be eaten in class. Please keep sugary treats for after school and encourage your child to eat a healthy breakfast before school. This will set him/her up for success at school!
As per the Ecole Cobble Hill Handbook: “We encourage students to bring litter free lunches." Reusable containers help to reduce waste, whenever possible. Students who have recyclable plastic containers in their lunch are encouraged to either bring them home for recycling, or to wash them at school and place them in the plastic recycling bins.
Staggered arrival and Punctuality
School starts at 8:30 everyday. Punctuality is very important as learning starts right away. Late arrivals disrupt the class' learning and negatively affects a child's learning, especially if they happen regularly. Please plan enough time in your morning routine to ensure that your child arrives to school on time every day and try to respect the staggered arrival schedule if you are dropping your child off in the morning.
Staggered drop-off has been organized to reduce congestion and limit close contact between students in the beginning of the day. The school is kindly asking parents to respect these suggested timelines as best as they can, according to the first letter of children's last names:
Staggered drop-off has been organized to reduce congestion and limit close contact between students in the beginning of the day. The school is kindly asking parents to respect these suggested timelines as best as they can, according to the first letter of children's last names:
- A-K: drop off between 8:00-8:15
- L-Z: drop off between 8:15-8:30
Library
Our weekly library block will be on ––––––––––––. In order to protect our library books, our school librarian asks that all books be carried in a bag that is reserved for library books. Please send a cloth or plastic bag to school labelled with your child's name to serve as a library bag.
Communication
Agenda: Your child’s planner/agenda is where we will write down homework assignments and important reminders. Students are expected to bring their planners to school everyday. I will stamp your child's agenda, indicating that your child has correctly filled-in the day's agenda. I might use the planner to communicate with you (if there was a mild behaviour problem, incident, late work, etc). Please check (and sign) your child’s agenda daily for homework, reminders, permission slips, notes, etc.
Website: I have created this website for our class to post general information, to keep you updated on what we are working on, and to facilitate communication. I will update the website as the year progresses in order to keep you all in the loop! I will use monthly blog posts in lieu of newsletter and email you when a new blog post is published.
Emails: I use emails to communicate reminders and information, and to notify when the classroom blog and website is updated with new material. I try to limit the amount of emails sent to parents and to link to the website as needed. Please let me know during the year if there is any change to your email address.
Teams: While we are hoping to spend the entire year learning in the classroom, there is a possibility that COVID-19 will bring more school closures and changes to the learning situation during the year (remote learning or hybrid model like we saw in June). There will also be a lot more student absences this year, as students are asked to stay home if they display any sign of illness. To prepare for the eventuality of remote learning and to support students in staying up to date with the class learning if they have to miss school, I will create a virtual classroom on Teams (Office 365). Students will practice using Teams in class and for homework right away to become familiar with this platform. For more information on Microsoft Teams and how it will be used to promote continuity of learning, please visit our Teams page.
I am always interested in learning more about your child or discussing any question or concern that you might have, at any point during the year. If I have any concern or question about your child, I will contact you to schedule a phone call or meeting. On occasion, I might also write you a note in your child’s agenda. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any reason whatsoever:
I am looking forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
Nathalie Boulanger
Division 2
Grade 6/7
Website: I have created this website for our class to post general information, to keep you updated on what we are working on, and to facilitate communication. I will update the website as the year progresses in order to keep you all in the loop! I will use monthly blog posts in lieu of newsletter and email you when a new blog post is published.
Emails: I use emails to communicate reminders and information, and to notify when the classroom blog and website is updated with new material. I try to limit the amount of emails sent to parents and to link to the website as needed. Please let me know during the year if there is any change to your email address.
Teams: While we are hoping to spend the entire year learning in the classroom, there is a possibility that COVID-19 will bring more school closures and changes to the learning situation during the year (remote learning or hybrid model like we saw in June). There will also be a lot more student absences this year, as students are asked to stay home if they display any sign of illness. To prepare for the eventuality of remote learning and to support students in staying up to date with the class learning if they have to miss school, I will create a virtual classroom on Teams (Office 365). Students will practice using Teams in class and for homework right away to become familiar with this platform. For more information on Microsoft Teams and how it will be used to promote continuity of learning, please visit our Teams page.
I am always interested in learning more about your child or discussing any question or concern that you might have, at any point during the year. If I have any concern or question about your child, I will contact you to schedule a phone call or meeting. On occasion, I might also write you a note in your child’s agenda. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any reason whatsoever:
- If you have to contact me for something urgent during a school day, the best way is to call the school's office, as I don't usually check my emails or phone during the day.
- For non-urgent matters, you can email me. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
- I am usually available before or after school for scheduled meetings, but please let me know in advance if you wish to stop by and chat with me so I can plan accordingly.
I am looking forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
Nathalie Boulanger
Division 2
Grade 6/7