Hello Tiger Families/Bonjour les Familles de Tigres!
Would you believe that 30% of the year is complete? We’re all so happy that school is in- person and running smoothly and efficiently. The change in weather certainly helps to re- engage students in playground activities. MAC’s older students can be seen honing their athletics, turning the soccer posts into a volleyball net. Watching them play volleyball with mitts on during a snow storm was very amusing! Snow forts and sculptures are in full effect, as is sliding down the hill. The kindergarten students love the mud and puddles and are generally the first to find the messiest place to play! To help allow your child(ren) full enjoyment in being out on the yard, please ensure that they are well- prepared for any and all weather that may come our way. Extra hats and mitts are always beneficial as are snow pants and a winter coat.
Interviews proved the value of perseverance and grit. Some interviews went smoothly and some had technical glitches. I greatly appreciate everyone’s ability to work together and be flexible so that teachers could connect with home to support learning and knowledge of the whole child.
There have been many questions surrounding vaccinations for 5- 11 year olds now that vaccinations have been approved for children in this age group. Public health is the lead in vaccinations. Public health is preparing to offer vaccination clinics in the coming weeks and months and MAC will support them with communication to ensure that families who are interested in vaccinations are aware of opportunities. Parents will be asked to provide consent for vaccinations for children aged 5-11. I hope this alleviates any concerns you may have.
On another Covid note, before the holidays, students will be able take home a rapid antigen screening kit that contains five tests. These test kits are voluntary and are to be completed at home prior to the return to the classroom in January. Please expect these to come home the week before the holidays. We will also be engaging in confirmed screening attestations for 2 weeks after the holidays. This will be done the same way we approached this in September. Students Kindergarten- grade 3 will need a written form completed daily (don’t worry! It’s easy and simple) and grades 4-8 will be able to confirm that they completed the screener verbally. More information about all of this will be coming next week.
This month’s Wicked Wow Wednesday falls on December 15 and will be “Ugly Holiday Sweater Day.” Driven by student request, the fan favorite of “Comfie Cozy Day” will be every Monday. Friday Funnies will continue as will MAC Attack Fridays (wear your school gear/school colors). Pizza Wednesday is back! Please be sure to keep an eye out for the schoolcashonline notification through your email to order. If you haven’t yet signed up for schoolcashonline.com, please be sure to do so. We are only able to accept payments online. If you haven’t received the pizza order email by December 10th, please double check your account in school cash and then connect with MAC to confirm that we have the correct email address.
Please be sure to screen your child daily for Covid symptoms. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/We are focusing on being attentive to coughs, particularly one that is continuous, makes a whistling sound or sounds like croup, a fever, chills, shortness of breath, decrease or loss of taste or smell and nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Before returning, the student must test negative for Covid, OR isolate for 10 days OR see a healthcare provider AND feel better with no fever (must also be 24 hours since your symptoms started improving). Vaccinated household members do not need to isolate and are asked to self- monitor. Anyone in the household that is unvaccinated must isolate until the symptomatic individual is able to return (this is described in greater detail in a flow chart that was sent out).
Have questions about your student returning to school after being ill? The Public Health Nurse Advisory Line is there to help and can be reached at (519) 376- 9420 ext 3110.
Always working together to be better. Your partners in education/Vos partenaires en education,
Sue and Lisa
