Dear Parents/Guardians,
Hello Spring – this weekend is a lovely reminder of just how beautiful change can really be! As many of our students change learning modalities back to in class learning on Monday, March 22, we’d like to once again thank the extraordinary St. Mary staff for their continued dedication to educating our students. We’d like to thank our Mighty Mustangs for their hard work and determination to do their very best and we’d like to thank you, dear parents for your support, understanding and positive contributions. We’re certainly working together as a family to get through every challenge that comes our way.
Please be advised that the custodians have once again deep cleaned and disinfected the school while students have been learning from home. Thank you to Mr. Domenic Simone, our Head Custodian and his team for all of their hard work.
The following COVID safety protocols as outlined in the YCDSB Re-entry Plan as per York Region Public Health recommendations MUST be followed by all families so that everyone’s safety at school may continue to be maintained.
1. All parents must complete the COVID-19 SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE SCREENING TOOL with each child every morning prior to coming to school and refer to the screener for steps to take related to each scenario.
2. If a child or anyone in the household has one or more symptoms listed on the screening tool, the student and all household members should stay home and self-isolate away from other household members and not leave except to get tested or for a medical emergency.
3. Mandatory mask wearing for students in Gr. 1-8 will continue inside the school and outside at recess with the exception of eating snacks and lunch.
4. Hand hygiene – washing hands with soap and water throughout the day and disinfecting when leaving or entering the classroom/gymnasium.
5. Physical distancing is an expectation. Recess cohorts will continue.
6. Students should be dropped off on time so that they enter the building through their designated entry door.
7. Staggered dismissal will continue. Kindergarten – Grade 3 students will be dismissed at 3:20pm and Grade 4-8 students will be dismissed at 3:30pm.
8. Parents must wear a mask on school property and congregating by the fence/schoolyard is not permitted.
9. Please DO NOT drop off belongings for your child throughout the day. Please remember to pack a lunch and water bottles. Homework can be returned the following day should a student forget it at home.
With everyone’s cooperation, the safety of all students and staff will remain a priority!
We’re excited to be back in the building on Monday! We’ll begin with the virtual Friendship Liturgy prepared by our Kindergarten classes at 9:10am. Monday also marks the day we will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and all staff and students are invited to participate in our #LOTSOFSOCKS event! Everyone is invited to wear some socks that are going to get noticed – they might be mismatched socks or their craziest and most colourful socks, whatever takes their fancy! It’s our way of advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.
Please note that Friday, March 26 is Civies day.
St. Mary has partnered with the Nobleton community to participate in the Sunshine For Seniors Project. This last year has been especially difficult for seniors who are living alone or in long term care. Sunshine for Seniors – The Bloom Project’s goal is to raise funds to purchase mini daffodil plants which will be delivered over the next few weeks to seniors living alone. St. Mary students will show compassion during this Lenten season by creating cards to be delivered with the daffodils to the seniors living in York Region. We hope this small act of kindness will bring a little joy and a smile to those who have been isolated during this pandemic.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
L. D’Andrea T. Crocitto
Principal Vice Principal