Viking School Re-Entry Information 2020/2021

***Information current as of August 28, 2020***
Entering and exiting the school:
● East/”Recess doors”: Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 3
● South Elementary doors: Grade 2, Grade 4, Grade 5
● High School Doors (students parking doors): Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
● Junior High Doors (by drama/art rooms): Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Lockers:
● Elementary: grouped by grade level and colour coded to allow for social distancing when
students are accessing them
● Junior High/Senior High: locker locations staggered for students in each grade to allow for social
distancing (6, 7, 8 alternating in the junior high hallway and grade 9, 10, 11, 12 alternating in the
senior high hallway)
Recess:
● Cohorts will access different areas of the playground/grounds at recess
● Staggered release of students to go outside for recess based on locker colour groups
Lunch:
● Microwaves and vending machines will not be available for students or staff (it will be
important for students to be able to unpack and consume their lunch without assistance)
● Elementary: students will eat in classrooms and then be released to go outside based on locker
colour groupings
● Junior High /Senior High: students may remain in the school or go home or “uptown” for lunch
○ Students who remain at school will eat in their designated classroom at their assigned
desk
○ Students who leave the building are strongly encouraged to follow social distancing and
mask use protocols. They will need to use hand sanitizer upon exit and entry to the
school
○ Students will be not be able to eat in the hallways or “pit”
○ In the case of an outbreak or increased cases in our geographic area, we will move to a
“closed campus” at lunch where students will not be permitted to leave
Classrooms:
● As much as possible students will access their homeroom and their assigned desks, with
teachers moving from classroom to classroom as per the schedule
● Junior High/Senior High will be place in Home Rooms that will be shared on the first day as
students arrive
What will the first day look like?
● Parents and other visitors will not be permitted to enter the school (ie. escort their child to
class) as per BRSD guidelines
● Teachers will meet students outside of their assigned entrance based on grade
○ Masks will be provided to students in Grade 4 - 12
● Time will be spent on the first day to discuss and practice new routines and practices related to
health and safety protocols with all students after which students will follow their regular class
schedule for the remainder of the day
● Elementary: teachers and students will then establish, discuss and practice new routines
● Junior High and Senior High: students will be informed of the their locker and homeroom
location and provided with masks (reusable masks if received by the day) before proceeding
inside
● Kindergarten students: staggered start to allow for individual orientation
○ One parent will be able to accompany their child for a 15 min time slot to see the
classroom, lockers, bathrooms etc.
○ Parents must wear a mask as per Alberta Health guidelines.(If you don't have one, one
will be provided) Please call the office to book your time slot.
Other information:
● Students will not be permitted to share supplies, please ensure your child’s items are labelled
with their name
● High school classes will be scheduled on the quarter system
○ There will be no exam week, exams will be completed during regular class time (Diploma
Exams will be completed according to the schedule established by Alberta Education)
● Elementary/Junior High Classes will be year-long
● During High School Redesign Block for Gr 7 - 12 students will be in their homeroom with
different teacher providing support on different days
● Extracurricular sports and activities will be postponed at this time (until at least October 1)
From Battle River School Division’s Re-Entry Plan ( https://www.brsd.ab.ca/download/292370 )
● At-home or in-school learning:
○ Families may select in-school or at-home learning at the beginning of each quarter
○ Chromebooks can be provided to families upon request ($100 deposit, limited amount)
● Wellness : BRSD’s Family School Liaison Team (Mrs. Georgina White) and Mental Health
Capacity Building Team (Ms. Sarah Squires) will again be supporting our school.
● Safety Measures in place include: extra cleaning and disinfecting, personal protective
equipment, hand hygiene, daily self-assessment, illness protocols, cohorts and physical
distancing
● Health Protocols
○ Anyone who is not feeling well must stay home.
○ Anyone with COVID-related symptoms must contact AHS to arrange for testing.
○ Self Assessment to be completed every day:
https://www.brsd.ab.ca/download/287801
○ If a student or staff member shows Covid-related symptoms during the school day, they
will leave the school as soon as possible and be isolated in the meantime. (All families
must provide updated parent/guardian contact information and a minimum of three
emergency contacts (including parents))
● Parents/Visitors:
○ Parents, visitors and volunteers are not permitted in the school at this time other than by
appointment. Please contact the school office to make an appointment if needed.
● Lunch/Snacks :
○ Microwaves and vending machines will not be available to students.
○ Schools cannot accommodate family members who want to drop off lunches. If a student
forgets their lunch, families should phone the school to work out a solution.
○ Schools cannot support any food being brought into the school through a food delivery
service for individuals, classes, staff or students.
● Assemblies and Gatherings: not permitted at this time
● Field Trips: all postponed at this time
● Community Use of Schools: not permitted at this time
● School Photos : not scheduled until 2021
From Government of Alberta
COVID 19 Information for Albertans:
https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx#p22780s6
K-12 School Re-entry Information:
https://www.alberta.ca/k-to-12-school-re-entry-2020-21-school-year.aspx
● Masks:
○ Grade 4 to 12 students and staff must wear masks where physical distancing cannot be
maintained, including on school buses and shared areas such as hallways.
○ Masks are not required while students are seated in the classroom during instruction if
following the physical distancing guidance for schools.
○ Masks are required in the classroom when close contact between students, or students
and staff, is occurring. Masks should be used for the duration of this activity.
○ All adult visitors and visitors who are students in grades 4 to 12 must
wear a mask.
**a faceshield is not a replacement for a mask**
● School Buses: Mandatory masks for grade 4 to 12 students, and drivers.
● Isolation requirements: please check the above link for information as it has been updated
recently to include guidelines related to those who have test negative for Covid-19