I ain’t going to lie. This first half week back has been THE HARDEST of my career. I have not been THIS tired in a really long time. Being out the classroom for 6 months, living in self-isolation, and having my two youngest at home with me 24/7, has really taken a toll on my energy. I am having a hard time staying awake past 2:00 pm – and having a hard time waking up each morning. It will get easier, right?
One of the best things about going back to work was seeing my co-workers! My summer, probably much like yours, wasn’t a typical one. We didn’t travel or go camping as much as we usually do, our use of the family chalet was diminished due to COVID-19 laws, and most of the activities my children participate in were either cancelled or greatly modified. We didn’t have many family or friend get togethers like we normally do in the summertime. So, to actually be able to communicate and associate with other adults was amazing! It was great to have adult conversations and it felt wonderful to be able to talk about teaching and education with people who GET IT!
As promised in my last blog post, I am going to share with you how things are being done at my school in regards to the pandemic. There is a lot of information here so grab yourself a cup or coffee or tea and settle in!
Social Distancing
All adults in the building must maintain a 2 metre distance between one another. As well, all students must respect this 2 metre distance while in the hallways and common areas of the school. This rule does not apply to students when they are in their respective classrooms – known here as a bubble. As well, students are expected to stay within these bubbles when outside during recess. More on that later.
Teachers, if they so choose, can have a 2 metre area marked around their desks with tape that are to be considered NO ENTER zones for children.
Masks
Our students are not required to wear masks while in the classroom. Children in Grades 5 & 6 must wear them while in the common areas of the school, when they go to the washroom, and when they move from the classroom on their way out to recess.
All teachers are required to wear a face mask at all times. This can include cloth masks that are hand made (known as face coverings in my board) or procedural masks (think of the types worn by health workers). If a teacher comes within 2 metres of a student, he or she needs to wear a procedural mask. Even closer contact requires the teacher to wear a procedural mask AND a face shield to protect themselves and their students. I have a feeling that I will be wearing the face shield a lot this year.
Students are responsible for providing their own protective wear each day. For staff members, our school board is providing 2 procedural masks per day for us to use. They have also provided us with the face shield as well.
Handwashing/Sanitizing
All staff members and students will have to use hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving the building. That means that upon arriving, before and after recesses, and before leaving for the day, the students will all have their hands sanitized. As well, many teachers has installed “sanitation stations” outside their classrooms so that students have access to even more sanitizer upon entering and exiting their classrooms. All regular hand washing, such as before and after eating or using the washroom, will be strictly enforced.
Transitions
This one is going to take a while to get used to and to get down pat. Our classes will be dismissed for recess in the same order everyday. Only 1 class at a time is allowed to vacate the building for recess. All students in the hallway must maintain a 2 metre distance between each other at all times. Our concierge has placed stickers on the floor to show students where they need to stand. As one class has exited the building, another will start to leave.
My school will also be implementing a rotating recess schedule whereby half the student population will have indoor recess while the other half goes outside. I am not sure when the students will switch or how that will work – but I am sure we will find out more about it at our staff meeting tomorrow.
Lunchtime
All students must eat in their respective classrooms. Our concierge will come in after the students are finished eating to wipe down all the food residue and disinfect the tables. He will leave the disinfectant on the surface of the desks and will rotate through all the classrooms. When that first step is completed, he will come through again and wipe off all the disinfectant as it has to sit on the surface for at least 5 minutes in order to be effective.
Arrival and Dismissal of Students
This year, for the very first day of school, parents will not be allowed to enter the school yard. They will have to socially distance themselves from behind our school fence. Students are to remain outside both before and after school. There are socially distanced dots placed around the school yard that the children will need to stand on when lining up to enter the building or lining up to get onto their respective bus lines at the end of the day.
Identification of a Student with COVID
If a student comes to school with, or develops symptoms of, COVID said student will be placed in an isolation room. Parents will be called to come and pick up their child as soon as possible. Once the child has left the school, the isolation room will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
So, I think that is about it for the moment! I have another staff meeting tomorrow where I am sure that I will have more information to share with you!
Until then, I hope you have a great day!
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