OSTA is asking that any families that are choosing to not use bussing this year opt out by using this LINK. This will allow OSTA to re-evaluate/cancel unnecessary routes. Parents facing any issues regarding the following; Driver issue, Travel time, Lateness, Communications, Policy/Procedure, Walking Hazard, Eligibility, Customer Service) are encouraged to fill out this form with OSTA.
When a family gets a positive test result, this has to be processed by OPH. If the test is done at a rural location, there is a delay in how quickly OPH gets that information.
Once OPH has confirmed a positive case they contact the school
The school creates a contact list based on staff that teach in the room, recess cohorts etc. and provide it to OPH. This is a list of people that have had direct, prolonged contact with the person that has COVID-19. This information is reviewed by OPH and then a letter is provided to the school to share with families of students that were in direct contact.
OPH then provides a letter to be sent to the whole school community
All communication regarding a positive case must come from OPH.
Following a positive case, the students and staff with direct contact are asked to self isolate for at least 14 days. This isolation time may be extended if symptoms occur. Even with a negative test result, these individuals cannot return to school.
OPH has said that they will contact each family at some point during the 2 week isolation period.
Family members of the isolated people (excluding the family with the positive test result) can continue to go to work/school as long as no one in the household shows signs of illness.
What happens when your child is ill If a child is showing any of the below symptoms (as outlined by Ottawa Public Health) they cannot be sent to school and if they do come to school, they will be sent home, as will their siblings.
Ottawa Public Health mandates that If your child develops these symptoms during the school day you will be called to pick up your unwell child and his/her siblings that are at the school. While at school, your child will be placed in an isolation room and will be asked to put on a mask. In order to return to school, the following must occur:
If your family does not pursue COVID testing your child with symptoms and their siblings must self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days and be without symptoms for 24 hours before returning.
You can seek a medical note from a healthcare provider that indicates an alternative diagnosis. With this medical note your child can return to school 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.
If you seek COVID testing for your child and the results are positive OPH will provide guidance to your family and the school outlining next steps. If the results are negative, the individual with symptoms needs to isolate until without symptoms for 24 hours. Siblings may return if without symptoms.
Ottawa Public Health mandates that If your child develops these symptoms during the school day you will be called to pick up your unwell child and his/her siblings that are at the school. While here, your child will be placed in an isolation station monitored by the principal or vice-principal and will be asked to put on a mask. In order to return to school, the following must occur:
If your family does not pursue COVID testing your child with symptoms and their siblings must self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days and be without symptoms for 24 hours before returning. Or, you can seek a medical note from a healthcare provider that indicates an alternative diagnosis. With this medical note your child can return to school 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.
If you seek COVID testing for your child and the results are positive OPH will provide guidance to your family and the school outlining next steps.
If the results are negative, the individual with symptoms needs to isolate until without symptoms for 24 hours. Siblings may return if without symptoms.
If your children need to isolate for 14 days, they can access learning materials through their Hapara Workspace. Thank you in advance for your continued support.
➜ Review our NEW Health and Safety Video on our website and you will be helping your child understand their role on the bus in helping keep themselves and everyone around them safe!
OSTA has been working closely with OC Transpo to ensure safe public transit service for students. If you are new to public transit, or would like information on how OC Transpo is handling health and safety on its buses and trains, please watch the OC Transpo Training Video here: https://bit.ly/3ijIe7N
Parents are urged to review their child’s binformation Monday morning on the Parent Portal and then check the posted list on the website to confirm the route’s status.
For those taking a yellow bus: It is important that you maintain physical distancing and STAY with your child(ren) at the bus stop until the bus arrives in case of delays and cancellations.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is working with OCSB to implement provincial standards and guidance to support the reopening of schools. The primary goal is to make the return to school as safe as possible, balancing the risk of COVID-19 transmission with reducing other harms to the well-being of students, families and staff. OPH will partner with school boards to address any ongoing questions and concerns of families, school staff and students regarding COVID-19 and provide the most current information possible.
Until August 31st, the Province of Ontario is offering support for our families. Parents can apply for direct one-time funding to support their children's learning, while they practice self-isolation and physical distancing.
Eligible parents can receive a one-time payment, per child, of:
posted Aug 23, 2020, 11:38 AM by Margarita Ziroldo
Thank you to our parent community for your patience as we make preparations for the safety of your children. Please check your emails regularly for updated messages from the school or board as things can change quickly.
The "must have" school items identified with student name:
K - Gr 6:
Backpack
Lunch bag
Refillable Water Bottle
Mandatory Mask *NEW* for Gr 4-6; We suggest attaching a lanyard to avoid losing them
Kinder:
Spare set of clothing
yoga mat
Suggested school items for Gr 1 - 6:
Hand sanitizer *NEW*
Pencil case or pencil box
Sharpened pencils (2-4)
Large glue sticks (2)
Ruler
Children’s scissors (1)
White Eraser (2)
Pencil sharpener with cover (1)
Facial tissues (1 box for the classroom)
Highlighter markers (2)
Sharpened pencil crayons- box of 12 (1)
Washable, unscented markers (1 box, thick or thin)
Earbuds or headphones* (with student name)
Preparing for the new school year
In Person:
Practice wearing a mask for longer periods of time
If your child is unable to wear a mask for medical reasons, get a doctor’s note that can be shared with school
Talk to your children about what social distancing is and what 1 and 2 meters looks like
Teach proper hand washing and hand sanitizer use with the reasons why it’s important
Try to calm any fears about Covid and about being away from home/family for the day (it has been 6 months of togetherness!)
If taking the bus, remind children of the importance of keeping their mask on, staying in their seat, sitting in their assigned seat only
Start going to bed earlier
Reduce gaming times
Make a list of lunch and snack ideas together as a family
Create a school day chore list (packing lunches/snacks, setting the dinner table, washing dishes, putting backpacks away, putting agendas out to be signed)
Set up a family routine/ schedule/ calendar of events
Set up a homework station with all of the necessary tools available and decide on a time for homework completion
Younger students can practice using their school bag and lunch containers
Older students can set academic and personal goals and a list of actions to help with achievement
posted Jun 29, 2020, 4:53 PM by Margarita Ziroldo
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updated Jun 29, 2020, 4:56 PM
]
Beaches are now open
It’s finally summer and we are happy to announce that our beaches are now open. Lifeguards will be on duty from noon to 7 p.m. every day until August 30, 2020. As we love to see residents enjoying the outdoor space, please continue to observe Ottawa Public Health guidelines and look out for our wonderful Park Ambassadors in green who are there to answer any of your questions. Please note that Britannia Beach will remain closed to swimmers and beach goers for riverbed restoration.
Keeping the parks clean
As the greenspace is open for use, just a gentle reminder that we all have a small part to play in keeping the area clean. Please try to take your waste home with you, do not dump household waste in the park, limit your waste footprint and pack food into reusable containers where possible, and please dispose of dog waste in your green bin. By each of us thinking about keeping the spaces litter-free we can all enjoy the beauty that Ottawa has to offer.
Pool openings on the horizon
We’re planning for a gradual opening of our wading pools across the city, starting with the first batch on July 6. We’re are also working to reopen indoor pools and outdoor deep-water pools with modified formats for many of the usual activities, such as swimming lessons and open swims.Stay tuned for the details.
Yes, you read that right. Take a trip over to our new YouTube channel to find fun and fresh videos including Dexter the Dinosaur, fitness and our Tea with Dave series. Follow Dave as he chats to local stars including JW Jones!
