Signal Hill Circular - October 8th, 2021 – Signal Hill Circular

Signal Hill Circular

for the week ending Friday, October 8, 2021

We are honoured to be living, working and playing on the traditional, unceded ancestral territories of the St'át'yemc Nation.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Signal Hill Families,

We are starting to settle in to our routines here at Signal Hill and starting to look forward to some seasonal celebrations. We are also reminded of the many things we are thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Please see below for some important reminders about Halloween.

Important Dates for October:

Monday, October 11th - Thanksgiving Day – NO School

Wednesday, October 13th - Parents’ Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting at 7 pm by ZOOM for all interested parents! Everyone is welcome – you are already a member! Join Zoom Meeting at https://sd48-ca.zoom.us/j/68656471358

Friday, October 15th - Verification forms due in office to qualify for our draw for a Family Dinner at Mile One!

Truth and Reconciliation

September was a powerful month for listening and learning about our continuing journey with Truth and Reconciliation. We would like to share a powerful Ted Talk from Lil'wat Cultural Chief Kúkwpi7 Gélpcal, "So Many Questions, So Few Answers":

https://www.ted.com/talks/chief_ashley_joseph_so_many_questions_so_few_answers?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

Learning Connections

Some examples of student work and activities around the school:

Ms. Marining's class is getting into the spirit with some Fall themed artwork:

Mme Hamonic's class is experimenting with different types of hand hygiene and their efficacy against germs by growing cultures on pieces of bread.

Halloween Reminders

Halloween is coming up soon! Please read this letter from our school administration about Halloween costumes and safety tips.

French Word of the Week

Nous sommes SIGNAL HILL! - We are SIGNAL HILL!

Parent Advisory Committee

Wednesday, October 13th - Parents’ Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting at 7 pm by ZOOM for all interested parents! Everyone is welcome – you are already a member! Join Zoom Meeting at https://sd48-ca.zoom.us/j/68656471358

Visit the PAC Pages here.

Health and Safety

COVID-19 Guidelines - Updated Oct 1st***

As of October 4th, all students and staff Kindergarten to Grade 7 are required to wear a mask indoors at Signal Hill.

There is also and updated daily health check. A reminder that all students, staff, and visitors should be completing this before coming to our school and staying home if they are sick.

The BC Ministry of Education and the BC Centre for Disease Control/BC Ministry of Health have issued updated Health and Safety Guidelines for the 2021/2022 school year. Information can be found here.

For your convenience, here are some of the key protocols we are implementing:

Health & Safety Protocols 2021-2022

We are committed to safety at Signal Hill Elementary and will be following these safety measures and protocols to keep everyone safe.

HEALTH & SAFETY	2021/22
Continuing from Last Year	o Daily Health Check o Stay home when feeling sick o Hand hygiene o Enhanced cleaning, disinfecting & ventilation o Respiratory Etiquette o Take learning outside o Reduce crowding and congestion o Case and Contact Management (as per VCH)
No Longer Recommended	o Cohorts o Physical distancing of 2m o Give personal space instead
Mask Guidance	o All K-7 Staff and visitors wear masks indoors o All K-7 Students wear masks indoors and on buses o Masks required for singing
NEW for 2021/22 School Year	o Vaccination Availability o Extra-curricular activities and field trips may resume o Follow specific regional health measures as needed o Gatherings and events may resume as per PHO orders o Start with virtual or small groups o Community use may resume o Visitors, parents & guardians must make appointments
Drop-off and Pick-up (See School Map)	o Avoid crowding & congestion o Consider wearing a mask o Be cognizant of everybody’s personal space o Say goodbye to children outside- They can do it!
Mental Health	o Connection for staff and students important o Prioritize social and emotional learning, as well as academics o 4 Blankets of Resilience
Recess & Lunch (Outdoors Everyday)	o Increase social connection for students o Spread out o A and B schedules to increase space o Support mental health and well being o Maintain connections between staff and students o Provide abundant play and activity options
Pack In, Pack Out	o Bring a water bottle (labelled) o Take home personal belongings each day