*This Plan was updated on September 1, 2020. See below in red.
This is my longest letter to you thus far. I’m asking that you read the whole letter without jumping ahead... please. :)
Our Senior Lead Team met this week to formulate our plan for implementing the government-mandated Stage 2 Opening of all Public and Independent Schools in British Columbia.
There are a wide range of perspectives when it comes to schools opening this fall from: “We shouldn’t be opening at all due to safety concerns...” to “This is all overblown and we don’t need to be so careful...” On a personal level, each of us lands somewhere on this continuum. Regardless of our personal positioning, it’s a non-negotiable that MEI will respond with compliance in regards to governmental directives that put the safety of our staff and students first. We have created a plan that addresses staff and student safety as mandated by the government while providing an opportunity for the critically important social and spiritual learning to take place in order for our children to be emotionally healthy.
Before I share our plan, I can confirm that your MEI Team has worked hard to take what the government has asked of us and shape it into a workable plan for MEI Schools. I’m not sure that anyone has all the right answers anywhere in our province, but I can assure you of a few things: 1) Your MEI Team is humbly seeking God’s wisdom in every decision being made, 2) Your MEI Team is taking this situation seriously and treating it with the due care it deserves, 3) Your MEI Team is uncompromisingly adhering to the directives of the Provincial Health Authorities and the Ministry of Education, and 4) Your MEI Team is doing its best to provide balance in creating a positive and rewarding learning experience combined with a safe space for our staff and students.
The plan being presented has included consultation with our neighbouring Public School District, other Independent Schools in the Fraser Valley and throughout B.C., MEI PAC Parents, and MEI Teachers.
It is important that we all understand that MEI is not a certified Distributed Learning School and thus is not permitted to provide online courses. The emergency measures taken in spring were due to a special order signed by the Minister of Education authorizing all public and independent “bricks-and-mortar” schools to provide online classes until September 1, 2020. This order has now expired and, as a result, we are no longer able to provide this option. Therefore, like every other year, students will be expected to attend school in-person unless they are sick. If you review the plan below and are not comfortable sending your child to MEI Schools for any reason, the government has provided parents with two options in addition to pursuing another bricks-and-mortar school. I share these options with the sincere hope that you do not need to pursue them, while fully understanding that some of us may not have a choice. Option 1 is to apply for Distributed Learning (online school) and Option 2 is to apply for Home Schooling. You will find registration information at the link provided at the bottom of this letter.
I sincerely believe that this is going to be another great year at MEI Schools and am excited to see everyone at school! We have an amazing student body Pre K - 12, hugely supportive families, passionate and caring staff who love you, unbelievable community support, and a reliance and trust in our Almighty God. It’s not a surprise that our MEI continues to be a school of choice at annually increasing levels; we have had more interest from families wanting to register at MEI this summer than any other previous year, and we are full!
I know many of you have been praying for MEI during this time and I thank you for your support! May nothing ever get in the way of our mission to prepare our children for a life of service here on earth with an eternal and God-honouring perspective. Let’s move forward together with rejoicing in the Lord, gentleness towards each other, lots of prayer, a humble attitude, honesty with Jesus on how we’re doing and what we need, thanksgiving, and the resulting peace that only God can provide (Philippians 4:4-7).
Principals will follow up with more detailed schools-specific information on Thursday. Hockey Academy parents will also receive more academy-specific information on Thursday. If you have questions, please contact your principal.
Sincerely,
Vijay Manuel
Head of MEI Schools
@headofschools
STAGE 2 PLAN - MEI SCHOOLS
PLEASE READ LETTER ABOVE PRIOR TO READING PLAN BELOW
School Starting Date
MEI Schools will start on Tuesday, September 8th following the Labour Day Long Weekend, as is our practice.
Safety Training
Staff will be trained on new Safety Procedures on Wednesday, September 2nd. Students will be trained on Tuesday the 8th as well as throughout the first week.
School Hours
MEI will continue with our regular daytime hours:
Elementary from 8:30am - 2:35pm
Middle from 8:30am - 2:45pm
Secondary from 8:35am - 2:45pm
School Calendar
The MEI Schools Calendar will remain as planned including all Statutory and Other Holidays and Professional Days.
Drop Off & Pick Up
Elementary School
All children will need to be dropped off outside so students can line up with their classes and teachers. They will then be brought into their classrooms in staggered formations to allow for safe distancing. After school dismissal will be staggered.
Middle School
Students will need to be dropped off outside the front doors so they can proceed to their classroom. After school dismissal will be staggered employing multiple exits.
Secondary School
Students will need to be dropped off outside the front doors so they can proceed to their classroom. After school dismissal will employ multiple exits.
Safety Plan Highlights
Masks
As mandated by the government on August 17th, masks will be required for students in grades 6 - 12 anytime they are mixing with students outside of their learning group while indoors, in common areas while indoors, and on busses. Masks will be required for all staff anytime they are operating outside their designated learning group while indoors and when safe distancing can’t be guaranteed, in common areas while indoors, and on busses. Elementary children will not be required to wear masks as the researched information provided by Provincial Health Authorities clearly supports this position, and as a result, the Ministry of Education has not made them mandatory for children in K - 5 schools.
Any visitors to the school offices will need to book an appointment ahead of time and wear a mask during their scheduled visit.
Teachers Teaching on Call (TTOC) will be required to wear a mask at all times.
Ventilation Systems
MEI has reviewed, recharged, and repaired all of our ventilation systems at each of our schools and can confirm that they are running at optimal level at this time. Our Facilities Team will monitor these systems with extra vigilance throughout the year and respond in earnest as any needs arise.
Traffic Flow
Movement within our secondary and middle school will be directed with markings on the floors designed to provide the necessary safe distancing for staff and students. Movement in our elementary school will allow for only one class moving through the halls at a time per floor in addition to the directive markings on the floors.
Cleaning
Custodial teams are tasked with cleaning all common area surfaces at least twice a day, including once during school hours. Disinfection of other surfaces such as lockers will take place daily as directed by provincial guidelines.
Hand Washing Stations
Custodial teams will ensure adequate supplies of soap and paper towels are maintained in all school washrooms and in elementary classrooms equipped with sinks. Where hand washing is not possible, hand sanitizer dispensers will be available and monitored to maintain adequate supplies.
Students With Disabilities, Diverse Abilities
Students with disabilities, diverse abilities, or those who require additional support will have access to the supports needed as before. Although the way students are supported may look different, we will work on a case-by-case basis through our Learning Support Services Teams at each school to provide meaningful learning experiences for all of our students.
Learning Groups
Greater Detail Will Be Provided By Principals on Thursday
Elementary
Students will be placed in a learning group of up to 60 students. The smaller classroom size of 24 - 30 students, however, will be their primary place of learning. Any teachers that enter a new learning group will be required to wear a mask when safe distancing can’t be guaranteed; if it’s a close call, they will be required to wear a mask.
Middle
Students will be placed in a learning group of 60 students within two classrooms. This pod of students will experience learning together in various combinations within their two classrooms and with their shared teachers. Any teachers that enter a new learning group will be required to wear a mask when safe distancing can’t be guaranteed; if it’s a close call, they will be required to wear a mask.
Secondary - Updated September 1, 2020
MEI Secondary will develop a schedule that employs the Quarter System model. This means that our students in grades 9 - 12 will take one course in the morning and a second course in the afternoon for a period of 10 weeks, and then switch to two different courses in the next quarter which will be completed at the end of January, 2021. We will be reviewing our plan at that time to determine the course of action for the second half of the year. This design will allow for all mandated safety requirements to be met combined with a high opportunity, at a similar frequency as other years, for students to receive the classes that they have requested. Any teachers that enter a new learning group will be required to wear a mask when safe distancing can’t be guaranteed; if it’s a close call, they will be required to wear a mask. Administrators will provide spaces as designated hangout zones indoors for students within learning groups during breaks where masks will not be required. Students who choose to mingle during breaks outside of their learning group will need to be outdoors and safely distanced. Any students who need to take a class outside of their learning group will be required to wear a mask and employ safe distancing.
Staff will be trained on new Safety Procedures on Wednesday, September 2nd. Students will be trained on Tuesday the 8th as well as throughout the first week.
School Hours
MEI will continue with our regular daytime hours:
Elementary from 8:30am - 2:35pm
Middle from 8:30am - 2:45pm
Secondary from 8:35am - 2:45pm
School Calendar
The MEI Schools Calendar will remain as planned including all Statutory and Other Holidays and Professional Days.
Drop Off & Pick Up
Elementary School
All children will need to be dropped off outside so students can line up with their classes and teachers. They will then be brought into their classrooms in staggered formations to allow for safe distancing. After school dismissal will be staggered.
Middle School
Students will need to be dropped off outside the front doors so they can proceed to their classroom. After school dismissal will be staggered employing multiple exits.
Secondary School
Students will need to be dropped off outside the front doors so they can proceed to their classroom. After school dismissal will employ multiple exits.
Safety Plan Highlights
Masks
As mandated by the government on August 17th, masks will be required for students in grades 6 - 12 anytime they are mixing with students outside of their learning group while indoors, in common areas while indoors, and on busses. Masks will be required for all staff anytime they are operating outside their designated learning group while indoors and when safe distancing can’t be guaranteed, in common areas while indoors, and on busses. Elementary children will not be required to wear masks as the researched information provided by Provincial Health Authorities clearly supports this position, and as a result, the Ministry of Education has not made them mandatory for children in K - 5 schools.
Any visitors to the school offices will need to book an appointment ahead of time and wear a mask during their scheduled visit.
Teachers Teaching on Call (TTOC) will be required to wear a mask at all times.
Ventilation Systems
MEI has reviewed, recharged, and repaired all of our ventilation systems at each of our schools and can confirm that they are running at optimal level at this time. Our Facilities Team will monitor these systems with extra vigilance throughout the year and respond in earnest as any needs arise.
Traffic Flow
Movement within our secondary and middle school will be directed with markings on the floors designed to provide the necessary safe distancing for staff and students. Movement in our elementary school will allow for only one class moving through the halls at a time per floor in addition to the directive markings on the floors.
Cleaning
Custodial teams are tasked with cleaning all common area surfaces at least twice a day, including once during school hours. Disinfection of other surfaces such as lockers will take place daily as directed by provincial guidelines.
Hand Washing Stations
Custodial teams will ensure adequate supplies of soap and paper towels are maintained in all school washrooms and in elementary classrooms equipped with sinks. Where hand washing is not possible, hand sanitizer dispensers will be available and monitored to maintain adequate supplies.
Students With Disabilities, Diverse Abilities
Students with disabilities, diverse abilities, or those who require additional support will have access to the supports needed as before. Although the way students are supported may look different, we will work on a case-by-case basis through our Learning Support Services Teams at each school to provide meaningful learning experiences for all of our students.
Learning Groups
Greater Detail Will Be Provided By Principals on Thursday
Elementary
Students will be placed in a learning group of up to 60 students. The smaller classroom size of 24 - 30 students, however, will be their primary place of learning. Any teachers that enter a new learning group will be required to wear a mask when safe distancing can’t be guaranteed; if it’s a close call, they will be required to wear a mask.
Middle
Students will be placed in a learning group of 60 students within two classrooms. This pod of students will experience learning together in various combinations within their two classrooms and with their shared teachers. Any teachers that enter a new learning group will be required to wear a mask when safe distancing can’t be guaranteed; if it’s a close call, they will be required to wear a mask.
Secondary - Updated September 1, 2020
MEI Secondary will develop a schedule that employs the Quarter System model. This means that our students in grades 9 - 12 will take one course in the morning and a second course in the afternoon for a period of 10 weeks, and then switch to two different courses in the next quarter which will be completed at the end of January, 2021. We will be reviewing our plan at that time to determine the course of action for the second half of the year. This design will allow for all mandated safety requirements to be met combined with a high opportunity, at a similar frequency as other years, for students to receive the classes that they have requested. Any teachers that enter a new learning group will be required to wear a mask when safe distancing can’t be guaranteed; if it’s a close call, they will be required to wear a mask. Administrators will provide spaces as designated hangout zones indoors for students within learning groups during breaks where masks will not be required. Students who choose to mingle during breaks outside of their learning group will need to be outdoors and safely distanced. Any students who need to take a class outside of their learning group will be required to wear a mask and employ safe distancing.
Transportation
Students in grades 6 - 12 choosing to use MEI Bussing this year will be required to wear a mask. Busses will be loaded back-to-front and unloaded front-to-back in order to minimize contact. It will be expected that students are on their absolute best behaviour while on MEI busses to ensure that drivers are not being distracted while navigating the usual traffic combined with the new safety expectations on the busses.
Resources
> B.C.’s Back To School Plan (Link fixed at 9:18am, August 19th)
Students in grades 6 - 12 choosing to use MEI Bussing this year will be required to wear a mask. Busses will be loaded back-to-front and unloaded front-to-back in order to minimize contact. It will be expected that students are on their absolute best behaviour while on MEI busses to ensure that drivers are not being distracted while navigating the usual traffic combined with the new safety expectations on the busses.
Resources
> B.C.’s Back To School Plan (Link fixed at 9:18am, August 19th)
where can I find the registration form for option learning?
ReplyDeleteBuses: It only mentions students 6-12 on buses. Am I understanding this to mean only 6-12 have to wear masks and not: 6-12 are the only kids on the bus? Elementary are still on buses correct? Thx
ReplyDeleteJust want to clarify that MEI students are expected at school on the 8th sept and not 10th sept as per news?
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to do two subjects during the first half of the 1st semester and the other two subjects in the later part of 1st semester? This way, the teachers and students will be less exposed.
Are we allowed to carry backpacks around???
ReplyDeleteLike someone else said, are backpacks going to be allowed?
ReplyDelete