Hello parents,

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work with our teachers preparing for your kids’ return to Ecole Meridian Heights School next week. If you have had the opportunity to review our Parent Re-Entry Handbook you will have learned about our staggered recesses and school arrival and departure processes (if you have not yet been able to do so, I will summarize these processes near the end of this post); however the handbook does not address our procedures for the first two staggered entry days.

Staggered Entry Dates

As a reminder, all students whose last names start with the letter A-K will attend on Monday, August 31st with all students whose last names start with the letter L-Z attending on Tuesday, September 1st. All Ecole Meridian Heights School students will be attending on Wednesday, September 2nd.

Teacher Welcome Letter

You will have received a welcome back email from your child’s teacher either today (Thursday) or tomorrow (Friday) which will outline classroom specific procedures such as which door to enter the school from, sanitizing protocols, their picture and much more.

Upon Arrival Monday or Tuesday

When your child arrives at school on Monday or Tuesday, you can expect to see many staff on the front sidewalk of the school wearing our supervision vests and ready to welcome your children back to our school. At that time, we will help your child learn which door they should be entering the school in. If they do not know where their door is, they will be escorted by a staff member to that entrance and into their classroom (if necessary) where their teacher will be waiting to welcome them!

Student Drop Off on the 1st day

If you are dropping your child off at school on the first day, in order to adhere to the EMHS protocols and PSD protocols, you will not be able to enter the school with your child. We realize this is a big change for some of our parents, especially those of our youngest kids, but rest assured that we will help them find their way and make sure they are cared for!

In order to further reduce congestion, if you are able to drop your child off between 8:40 a.m. and 8:55 a.m. it would be much appreciated. For those who are unable to do so, we absolutely understand. We would also ask that when possible if you are dropping your child off please do so on either 43st in front of the school or on 44 Ave beside the school. For some of our younger students who need to be escorted to the front of the school by parents, please ensure you maintain social distancing while doing so. If at all possible, please remain in your car and allow your child to walk to the supervisor at the front of the school where he/she will be assisted. As has always been the case, please do NOT enter the bus lane until after 8:35 a.m. when all buses have departed.

Student Drop off  Procedures after Staggered Entry Days

When possible, please drop your children off between 8:40 a.m. and 8:55 a.m. to reduce congestion. If your child arrives between these times, he/she can enter in the main doors of the school and proceed directly to their class without a late slip as attendance will be taken at 8:55 a.m.

Where possible, please remain in your vehicle when dropping your children off at the school. If they require an escort, please bring them to a supervisor or to the front doors of the school. Parents are not permitted at this time to escort their children to their classrooms.

Student Pick Up Procedures after Staggered Entry Days

All students will be dismissed in stages near the end of the school day to reduce congestion inside and outside of the school. Children walking home or being picked up will be dismissed as the last groups with students with last names A-K exiting at approximately 3:15 p.m. after buses have departed and students with last names L-Z departing at approximately 3:20 p.m. If your child MUST leave prior to that time please indicate this to his/her teacher and we will be happy to accommodate.

When picking up your child, where possible, please remain in your vehicle. If your child needs to be accompanied to your vehicle please come get them from the front of the school while maintaining social distancing.

Please keep your eyes out for the next post coming out which will show pictures of our school and many of the measures being taken!

Mr. S. Patras