​Good afternoon,

Here are some reminders and information as students prepare to transition back to school next week.  Next week is a Transition Week.  A great deal of time will be spent with students reviewing new protocols within the school and helping them to prepare for the year ahead.  The goal is to make things as clear as possible, and to allow students to be comfortable and safe while at school.

School Operational Plan

Our School Operational Plan will be posted today on the website (hvhs.nbed.nb.ca) under COVID.

Face Masks

High School students are required to wear face masks in all common areas (hallways, washrooms…) and in classrooms if 1m distance cannot be maintained.  They are also required on buses.  Students are asked to bring two masks with them each day in case one becomes dirty or unsanitary.  Note:  The Department of Education has informed schools that ‘buffs’ do not meet the guidelines for a mask – as they are often too thin and worn around necks when not in use.  It is the responsibility of students/families to provide masks.

Visitors

Any individual who is not regularly within the school (student, staff member, district personnel…) is not permitted to enter without an appointment.  This would include parents – even those accompanying new students on their first day of school.  Meetings which would normally have taken place in person will most often be arranged to occur over the telephone or through Microsoft Teams.

Classroom Supplies

The sharing of classroom supplies will be very limited this year – and will require sanitization after each use.  Students are asked to ensure they have their own paper, pens/pencils, erasers, calculators, scissors, glue sticks, etc..  Specific supplies required will vary depending on the courses the student is taking – and teachers will review those next week.

All students are asked to bring one box of Kleenex (tissue) for their homeroom class.

Guidance Requests/Course Changes

To eliminate unneeded traffic in our Guidance area, requests for appointments/calls can be requested online.  On the school website (hvhs.nbed.nb.ca) click Guidance – Request for Support.  The form will be sent directly to the two Guidance Counsellors.  No other staff have access to those requests.

If a returning Grade 10, 11, or 12 student knows of a required course change for this year, they can complete the request form and a counsellor will follow up with them.  Students do not need to wait until they arrive next week to make those requests. 

Student Passwords

All student passwords in New Brunswick will be reset on Monday, September 7.  When students arrive next week, homeroom teachers will provide the new passwords. 

Blended Learning

The province has released more details regarding this year’s Blended Learning approach – with students alternating between in-school and at-home learning.  The expectation is not that students will be connected ‘live’ to class for the full school day – but that they will be working at home and connecting with each of their teachers during part of their regular class times.  Every day is a ‘school day’ – just not all within the same building.

As a school, the two approaches teachers will be using to make daily contact with students are below.  This Blended Learning approach is new to all of us – so teachers will continue to learn and refine these approaches as the year progresses….as will students.  Teachers will let students know which approach they will be using, and the times for Teams Meetings.

Approach 1:  Teams Meeting

Teachers will set a specific time for at-home students to join an online Teams meeting.  During the meeting they will review the day’s expectations for the at-home learning cohort and respond to clarifying questions students may have.  It is during this meeting that attendance will be recorded.

Students can send questions through Teams throughout the period. Teachers will respond as time permits – or will follow up with the student when they are in class the following day.

Approach 2:  Teams post and online discussion

Teachers will post to the Teams channel with the expectations for the day for the at-home students.  Students and the teacher will use the channel for discussion throughout the period.  Participation in the Teams channel discussion will be used to determine attendance.

Classes not held in classroom settings

Classes which are not classroom-based (Physical Education, Skilled Trades etc.) may use alternative methods to engage students in at-home days.  Examples are online modules and activity logs.  Successful completion of these assignments allow the teacher to determine if the student participated in their distance learning.

Cashless Schools

Student Fees ($30) are now payable through SchoolCash Online – linked to on our school website.  This is the preferred method for all payments, as it eliminates sums of money being carried to school – and money passing through various hands. 

Bring Your Own Device – Student Laptops

As has been announced by the Department of Education, all high school students are asked to have personal laptops this year.  If you have not yet made arrangements for these laptops the following link takes you to information about the program, subsidies available, and device requirements:  https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/education/services/services_renderer.201514.Laptop_Subsidy_Program.html

For families with household incomes less than $40000 the subsidy covers the full cost of the device(s).

Students should bring devices they plan to use with them for their transition day next week to ensure they can access the school network and the Teams sites teachers will be using.  If devices have been ordered but have not yet arrived, a phone will work for now!

Drop-off/Pick-up

Parents are reminded that the preferred student drop off location is on Douglas Avenue – across so the street to avoid blocking off of bicycle lane.  There is a crosswalk leading directly to the foot of the front stairs.

Orientation Students

Students in Grades 10 – 12 who volunteered to help with Grade 9 Orientation are asked to arrive by 8:15 and gather in the Auditorium.  You should come with the same cohort you will attend with:  A-L on Tuesday, M-Z on Wednesday.

Schedule for September/October

The following attachment is the September/October schedule which was sent out previously:  COVID SCHEDULE.pdf 

We are looking forward to welcoming our 900 Vikings next week!​