Signal Hill Circular - October 15th, 2021 – Signal Hill Circular

Signal Hill Circular

for the week ending Friday, October 15, 2021

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

October Rain

Dear Signal Hill Families,

As the Fall rain settles in, our community has been busy with some Fall related activities. Our classes have been helping harvest our garden in preparation for our Fall harvest soup cook coming up in a few weeks as well as starting our Cross Country Running Club and Volleyball. Many class had an excellent time visiting local pumpkin patches and picking out their perfect pumpkin. The Halloween excitement is beginning to build...what are you going to dress-up as?

A reminder that anyone entering the school for any reason must sign-in with the office first. Thank you for your help keeping our school safe. Please see below for some important reminders about dogs on school property.

Important Dates for October:

Thursday, October 21st - Great Canadian Shakeout – Earthquake Drill

Friday, October 22nd - BCTF Professional Day – NO School for Students

Learning Connections

Some examples of student work and activities around the school:

Buddy classes went pumpkin picking at Laughing Crow Farm and also learned all about soil and the importance of different parks of the plant.

Dogs at School

Please read this letter regarding school policy for dogs in the school and on school property.

Skícza7ul’s Word of the Week

kúkwstum̓ckacw - Thank you (from one person to one person) (phonetic- kookwshtoomhkowhoo)

kúkwstum̓ckál̓ap - Thank you (from one person to many)

kukwstumúlhkacw - Thank you (from more than one person to one person)

kukwstum̓úlhkal̓ap - Thank you (from many to many)

French Word of the Week

Une citrouille – pumpkin

Parent Advisory Committee

Visit the PAC Pages here.

Health and Safety

COVID-19 Guidelines - Updated Oct 4th***

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