Memorandum to Students, Parents & Guardians November 19, 2021 RE: Education Closure Plans

Posted: Nov 19, 2021

M E M O R A N D U M

TO:         Shki Waase-Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik, Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik, Waawaasnoode and EHS staff, students, Parents/Guardians

FR:         Anna Marie Abitong – Director of Education  AMA

CC:         Tammy Manitowabi – Director of Operations, Chief & Council

Date:     November 19, 2021

Please be advised that at the Chief & Council meeting held on November 18, 2021, it was determined that educational buildings are closed for a 14-day period, ending December 3, 2021 and/or until further notice due to Covid cases within the community. 

The following is the plan while on closures: 

1. Shki Waase-Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik will remain closed for the 14-day period.  Staff maybe reassigned to assist other programs as required and/or requested.

2. Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik will move to on line learning beginning Tuesday November 23, 2021.  Staff will be scheduled to come into the school (during the weekend and Monday) preparing devices and home packages for families.  Parents will be notified to pick up devices and packages at the school on Monday November 22^nd (by family groupings) and virtual classes will be offered using the See Saw and Google classroom platforms. 

The schedule for on line delivery is as follows:

Early Learning Classrooms 1 and 2 up to Grade 1 start at 9:00 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. daily;

Grade 2 start at 10:00 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. daily;

Grade 3 start at 11:00 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. daily; and

Grades 4 to 8 start at 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily

This schedule is intended to minimize the number of students per household on line and on devices at the same time for better communications and accommodations for students and parent’s schedules.  The Principal and/or Classroom teachers will be notifying their respective parents of any changes to this schedule. 

Scott Restoule is assigned as the technical support to parents for devices and trouble shouting as required.  Those homes that do not have internet access will be receiving packages of assigned work to be completed.  Classroom teachers will also provide time for Educational Assistants support to students on line and Anishnabemowin Speakers and Language classes will continue by grades throughout the week. 

Parents, please access the Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik and Sagamok webpages for more information as it becomes available.  Staff will be providing their contact information to parents for support purposes.  If you have updated contact information, please notify the classroom teacher and/or Principal of your new information.

3. Waawaasnoode Adult Learning Centre will remain closed and students will continue to work on course materials at home.  The WALC teacher, including reengagement teacher, will contact students directly to provide supports, effective Monday November 22^nd.

4. Espanola High School is open for learning if parents choose to transport their students to school.  The Principal does require that if students are attending in person classes that they must complete the covid screening tool prior to leaving their home, using the following link: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/

If students are staying home, classroom work will be available on VLE and the Google classroom. Each student has their own login and has been using these online tools all semester to access work, submit assignments and communicate with their instructors. 

5. All transportation services have been suspended for the 14-day period. 

6. Post Secondary Support Workers and ISETS staff will be working from home and can be contacted by email and cell phones.  Post Secondary Support Workers are to inform and provide all contact information to their respective students. 

All measures taken thus far is to prevent the spread of Covid-19 within the community and we all need to do our part in preventing the spread of the virus.   Be diligent in practicing our established protocols (i.e., wearing medical grade masks at all times, isolation if symptomatic as per our screening tool, hand washing, etc.…) and be safe.

I trust that I have provided the necessary information in continuing to support our students during this time of extreme caution and if you should have any questions or further concerns regarding this memorandum, please contact me by email at abitong_anna@sagamok.ca.  Miigwetch. 

 

 

 

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