Happy New Year! We hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful holiday season.  From all of us at Landmark Collegiate, we would like to wish everyone a terrific 2021.

Starting January 4, Hanover School Division moved from Restricted Level Red to Restricted Level Orange. However, Manitoba Education is requiring that for the two-week period of January 4 – 15, all students in grade 7 to 12 will be in remote learning. The hope is that on Monday, January 18, Landmark Collegiate students will return to school.

While there may have been some challenges to students attending remotely every day, I want to commend students and families for their effort and fantastic participation. Students have been highly engaged and attendance has been terrific. Teachers and EA’s have learned some fantastic new ways to engage students while they were at home learning.

Return to School Protocols for Jan. 18, 2020 Under Restricted Level Orange.

For most classes we will have two meters of physical distance between students. We have repurposed the learning commons and one empty classroom to help create this extra space. Staff members crossing cohorts will be wearing medical – grade disposable masks.

Students in Grade 7 – 9. At this time, we have not heard that there will be a remote learning option for any grade level. All students are expected to return to school for in-class learning. The two grade 7 classes will return to three classes as they were in November. Grade 7 students will still be taught by their current teachers. Extra supervision has been arranged to help supervise students through the three groups and staff will rotate through the three spaces. The two grade 8 classes have been moved to larger spaces. 8A is in the learning commons and 8B is in the former computer lab (now room 5). They will continue to be taught by their current teachers. The grade 9’s will continue to be in two classes in their original homerooms. Students in grade 7 – 9 who are staying for lunch will be required to go outside as weather permits from 12:55 – 1:20 to allow for cleaning and disinfecting of classrooms. We will follow HSD guidelines for indoor recess for colder days.

Students in Grade 10 – 12. We are going to make a significant change in scheduling classes. Students will be attending their classes every day, but physically in school two days a week.

  • Track A students (last name A – J) will attend school Mondays and Thursdays
  • Track B students (last name K – Z) will attend school on Tuesdays and Fridays.
  • On the at-home days, students will be required to attend class via Google Meet
  • On Wednesdays, all students will be at home but attend class via Google Meet.
  • Band and Art will be on Mondays and Fridays. They will also meet for 30 min on Wednesdays from 12:20 – 12:50
  • French and Choir will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They will also meet for 30 min on Wednesdays from 12:50 to 1:20
  • Grade 10 – 12 Phys. Ed. – Students will only attend class while in school. There will be some requirement to do some physical activity at home. Mr. Giesbrecht will provide further details to students when they return to school.
  • Student attendance will be taken every day regardless if they are in school or at home.
  • Track groupings will remain the same.

The format we started with in September did not accomplish as much as we hoped. Students found it difficult to complete work on their off days and teachers found it difficult to complete the course as outlined in provincial curriculums. Having students attend everyday will help students stay in a routine of learning and will help teachers better pace their courses.  This new format will allow students to interact academically with more of their peers thus allowing them to learn better. Teachers have also learned some of the tools and programs that would make this format more possible.

Final Assessments for Semester One

All provincial exams have been cancelled for semester one. In addition, we will not have a formal final assessment week. Teachers may still choose to do some final projects in the final weeks as they always have done, but there will not be any formal exams. This time will be used by teachers to complete courses and help students with their learning. The last day of regular classes for grade 10 -12 will be on Tuesday, Feb. 2. There will not be any classes on Wednesday, Feb 3 and Thursday, Feb. 4. These days will be used by teachers to support those students who are at risk or get further evidence of student learning from selected students. Only students who have been invited back to school by their teachers need to attend on these two days.

Hot Lunches orders will be offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. See website for details. Orders must be placed by 10:00 am

Wellness information. Ms. Penner and Ms. Parisien, our HSD Social Worker, have put together a number of Wellness ideas which can be found on our website under the “Student” tab. https://lc.hsd.ca/students/wellness/

Friday, Feb. 5 is a Professional Learning day for all HSD staff. Monday Feb. 8 is the first day of the second semester.

Report Cards for grades 9 – 12 will be posted Friday, Feb. 12.

Grad Pictures are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 5. However, under the current provincial restrictions, Lifetouch is not allowed to provide this service. We will keep grads and parents updated as soon as we know more details.

I want to again thank all students, parents/guardians and Landmark Collegiate staff who have work so hard through all the various changes. We hope that we can continue to move towards a more normal school year.

 

in: General