September 4th, 2020

Dear Sabre families,

We wish a warm welcome back to our returning students, and a special welcome to our newest Sabres, grade nines and families new to the area.

We are delighted to get back in our buildings with our students. The health, safety, and well-being of your children is our greatest priority. Thank you for taking the time to read this “Frequently Asked Questions” update about our opening process. We know you’re waiting to hear what cohort and classes students are in, and we are working hard to ensure that this information is accurate and as complete as possible before the first day of school.

 

How do I know which courses I have in my timetable?  What do I have Period 1?

In order to support the launch of the WRDSB Distance Learning Program (DLP), all secondary schools are in the process of re-organizing courses and finalizing timetables for students.  

Guidance counsellors will be working this week to resolve timetable conflicts and will be reaching out directly to students who require course changes that impact graduation or post-secondary pathways by phone and email.  All students will receive their timetables for quadmester one on their cohort’s first day of in-school classes.

Once timetable conflicts have been resolved, timetable changes to Quadmester One courses will be made only to accommodate graduation or post-secondary application requirements.  We will inform students when guidance counsellors will be available to schedule appointments (late September) regarding timetable changes for the remaining three Quadmesters.

In some cases, optional course changes needed to be made to reflect timetable shifts due to quadmestering. Some students may see a course in their timetable that does not reflect their course selections from January 2020. Guidance Counsellors contacted students if any choice was available. While options for changes to quadmester 1 are very limited, students may contact Guidance counsellors to discuss possible course changes for quadmesters two through four, beginning on September 14. Please note that course options for future quadmesters may change. 

Cooperative Education courses for quadmester one have been cancelled. There may be an opportunity for coop in the last quadmester of this school year; please contact your Guidance Counsellor after September 17th if you have any questions about Coop. 

 

How do I know if I am in Cohort A or B?

If you ride a school bus, you are able to find out your cohort information by checking the Student Transportation Website (STSWR).  Your cohort letter is written beside the route number (Route 283B, student in cohort B) and was determined by home address.  You will need your OEN Number, which you can find on a copy of the report card, to log-in to the Parent Portal to find your bus route.  

For students who are not bussed to school, your cohort information will be provided to you via a recorded phone call (and email if we have your address)  starting on Tuesday, September 8th for grade nines and Wednesday, September 9th to Thursday September 10th for grades 10 through 12.

 

When do I start school?

GRADE NINES:

Grade nine Cohort A students will attend Southwood on Wednesday, September 9th. 

Grade nine Cohort B students will attend Southwood on Thursday, September 10th. 

Bussed students may enter through the main door. All “walkers” should enter through the “Breezeway” entrance. Staff will be outside to greet you and help you find your way!

The phone call home and email you receive on Tuesday, September 8th will tell you what class you have in Block One. Teachers and staff inside the building will help you to find your classroom. 

Don’t forget to maintain your distance! Keep a minimum of 2m apart whenever possible, and make sure you’re wearing a face mask.

School will start at 8:10 am and all students will be dismissed at 12:40 pm.  Our schedule and calendar are posted on the website. Note that all Cohort B students will attend in-class instruction beginning Friday, September 11th. Cohort A students will attend in-class instruction on Thursday, September 17th.

 

What do I need to bring for the first day?

Grade nines will participate in some orientation activities outdoors, so please dress for the weather and bring sunscreen. Also, don’t forget to bring your charged chromebook. If you haven’t picked your chromebook up yet, don’t worry — you’ll be able to get it in your class.

Bring all learning materials from your previous school! If you have any learning materials (chromebooks, iPads, books, etc) from your grade 8 school, please bring these items when you pick up your new Chromebook.  We will return these items to the elementary school. 

 

GRADES TEN TO TWELVE:

Grades ten to twelve in Cohort B will start school in person on Friday, September 11th. Cohort A students will receive a welcome message and instructions for accessing class materials, so please be sure to check your WRDSB gmail! 

Please see the daily schedule and quadmester schedule on the website for specific dates and times that your cohort is in school and working from home.

 

Designated Entrances: 

All students will have a designated entrance. Please use only the specified entrance for your classroom. 

 

Bussed Students:

Please use the Front Door and Breezeway entrances.

 

Walkers:

If your class is on the first floor, please use Entrance 11 (by the weight room) or Entrance 14 (by student success). Both doors are located off the staff parking lot.

If your class is on the second floor, please use the entrances nearest the staircases at the back of the school. Your designated entrances are Entrance 3, Entrance 4, and Entrance 6. 

Using only your specified entrance is an important part of our social distancing plan. Please be sure to walk to your designated entrance before entering Southwood. 

 

ALL STUDENTS

What do I need to know about the first day of school?

We have introduced many Health and Safety protocols to help keep everyone safe.  Please review all safety information that has been provided on the WRDSB and school website.

Do not come to school if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or of any respiratory illness, if you have travelled outside of the country within the last 14 days, or if you have come in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Plan to bring the following items with you on the first day of school:

  • Cloth mask that covers nose, mouth, and chin.  If you do not have one, we will provide you with one.
  • Refillable water bottle, labelled with your name.
  • Charged Chromebook or electronic device.
  • Pack a Lunch and Snacks, any litter from lunch will need to be taken home

 

When you arrive at school:

  • Use only designated entrances.  Look for the signs posted on the doors.
  • Enter the school and proceed directly to your classroom.  Note that the school doors will be opened no earlier than 15 minutes before the start of Period 1.
  • Ensure that you wear your mask at all times inside the school.
  • Sanitize your hands at any of the available stations, before entering your classroom.
  • As you move through the school, try and maintain 2 metres of distance between yourself and other students.

What do I do if I have an issue with my chromebook?

Please let your classroom teacher know. If the issue occurs before classes begin or if you’re having difficulty reaching your teacher, please call the main office to speak with Mr. Linnerth 

We encourage you to watch Day in the Life of a Secondary School Student in the WRDSB.

More information will be coming soon and we appreciate your patience in these unprecedented times.

 

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