​Dear Blue Fox Families – this is a long message and I apologize but I have news that people have been waiting for.

We have been waiting patiently for the go ahead to give students their belongings from the school. You should have received a message from the District saying that providing we follow COVID safety procedures, we can start packing things up and getting them to families.

Teachers will be in the building on Monday to clean out desks and gather materials. They will put them in bags and label them.   They will also be tryng to get their classes ready to allow custodians to start a thorough cleaning of the building like they normally do each summer.  This will continue into Tuesday for anyone who wants it. 

On Wednesday we will begin our contactless curbside pickup.  If it rains, we will simply move the days forward.  Please watch for any notifications.  Hard to predict the weather this far in advance.

If someone else is to pick up your bags, please make sure you contact Mrs. Johnson to give written permission.  Verbal will not be accepted.           Louise.johnson@nbed.nb.ca

CURBSIDE PICKUP - Directions for parents:

1.       Write your last name in LARGE clear printed letters on a sheet of paper and put it on your right side passenger window with also the number of bags you are picking up. 

2.      If your child had medication housed at the school, write MEDICATION at the bottom of the sheet.

3.      You will enter the bus entrance and proceed up through the yard, stopping at the spot indicated. We will be trying to keep the line moving.

4.      Pop your trunk and a staff member will place the bag(s) in your trunk. 

Wednesday, last names A-M

10:30-12      Last names A-C            70  student bags to be picked up

12:00-2   Last names  D-G                42 student bags to be picked up

2:00- 4   Last names   H-L                 60 student bags to be picked up

4:00-6   Last Name  M                      59 student bags to be picked up

6:00-8:00  any families who work during the day and require an evening pick up or those who missed their time slot on Wednesday for some reason.  If you can make it during the day time slots, this is preferred.

Thursday, last names N-Z

10:00-12:00   Last Names N-R            44  student bags to be picked up

12:00-2:00    Last name S-Z               53  student bags to be picked up

NOTE: If you have items belonging to the school eg. Library books– please hold onto them for now.  We are not permitted to take them back into the school at this time.

Secondly,

 I have been seeing some posts from friends who are saying they feel overwhelmed with home-schooling.  Teachers do not want to overwhelm. They are trying to do their jobs to the best of their ability in unprecedented times. Talk to them. Tell them your situations. We know that everyone is handling this differently. There will be no judgement. Tell them what you are doing for learning- building with LEGO, baking, crafting, playing games, going on walks. Learning is everywhere and it will be okay! You are not failing as a home-schooling parent. There is no way you can replicate a classroom. We do not expect you too. We know as educators we can not replicate face-to- face teaching but we must continue to try because our employer says we must adapt and do what we can to provide learning opportunities in a variety of ways. We do not want to “fail” as teachers.

Teachers love your children and miss them. Virtual classes are held because of this. They also know kids are missing seeing friends. They want to provide some “normalcy” in a very abnormal situation. If one is missed, no hard feelings, the door is always open- that is what a family does! However, talk to them and be honest. I have teachers being “stood-up” for meetings that have been scheduled (time set up by a parent) which is impolite. If it is not working for you,tell them, they will adjust or will stop calling and emailing if that is a source of anxiety. We are all in this together.

And most of us are parents too so we get it! Hugs to all parents who are simply doing their best.

Lastly

We wanted to inform everyone of the death of one of our Blue Fox Family.  Michael Osborne has been an educational assistant at Westfield for many years and has helped us out in so many ways!  The staff is heartbroken and we will be honouring our friend and colleague with a Memorium bench outside in the future. 

Mike was very active in CUPE 2745 and is known near and far across the province and that group is also mourning the loss of a friend and leader. They will be travelling through Grand Bay on Sunday after lunch in a parade to honour Mike.  If you see this parade, please take a moment to remember one of our Blue Fox Family. 

We also will be putting out a small display on the front steps on Sunday for students or former  Blue Foxes to drop off cards for the family if they so choose.  It will be there from 2:00-4:00.  I will then gather the box and it will sit for the appropriate COVID time before I give it to the family.  I hope that some of our students and families will take this opportunity. 

Thank you everyone. 

Be sure to reach out if you have any questions about this voicemail/email.​