Sioux Mountain Public School

Thank you to Marissa Melanson for sharing with us https://www.instagram.com/p/CKMS0MrhrnV/

Good Morning Families! Monday (January 18th) is the last day to fill out the survey if you wish to switch your child(ren) from remote to in-person or in-person to remote. Thank you :)

A friendly reminder to families and caregivers to please fill out the survey if you wish to switch your child from in-person learning to virtual or vice versa. This has to be completed by January 18th.

Greetings SMPS students and families With the return to in person learning on January 11th, Students are reminded to bring their assigned Chromebooks and chargers back to the school on Monday. These computers can be transported by the students and delivered to classroom teachers, or parents may drop them off at the office main doors between 8:15 am and 4:00pm. We are very excited to be able to once again have our students return to school on Monday.... Thanks so much Mr Mercer and Ms Van Diest

NOTICE TO FAMILIES - KPDSB Schools Reopening for In-Person Learning on Monday, January 11, 2021 To view this notice to families as a PDF, please visit this lin...k - http://www.kpdsb.on.ca/.../view/covid-19-information-updates Today (Thursday, January 7, 2021), the Ontario Government issued a media release to announce that schools in our area will return to in-person learning on Monday, January 11, 2021. The government also announced today that the community shutdown in Northern Ontario will be extended by two weeks. While the extended shutdown impacts different sectors, it does not affect the reopening of our schools on Monday, January 11, 2021. This announcement means that all KPDSB schools will reopen to students and staff for in-person learning on Monday. School bus transportation will also resume on Monday with regular routes and schedules. Students learning virtually through the KPDSB Virtual School will continue with remote learning as usual, they are not impacted by this announcement. School Screening Tool and Health and Safety Protocols As we prepare to return to our schools on Monday, we wanted to remind families of the importance of completing the Ontario School Screening online tool each day before sending your child(ren) to school - https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/. Any students who are feeling unwell or cannot pass the school screening should not attend school. We also ask that families remind their children about our health and safety protocols, which include masking (required for students in grades 4-12 and strongly encouraged for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3), physical distancing, hand hygiene and cohorting. Our staff will also remind students of these protocols. Reminder of Student Travel Advisory We issued an updated Student Travel Advisory to all families on December 18, 2020. If your child must travel, please be aware of the following information. Inter-provincial Travel Any students who have travelled outside of the province (or the country) should not attend school board properties for 14 calendar days upon their return and must be able to pass Ontario’s school screening tool prior to returning to school. Travel within Ontario Any students who travel to an area of Ontario in the Grey/Lockdown level of public health measures should not attend school board properties for 14 calendar days upon their return and must be able to pass Ontario’s school screening tool prior to returning to their school. The public health areas that were in the Grey/Lockdown level of public health measures on December 26 prior to the provincial shutdown are below for your reference. o Toronto o Windsor-Essex County o York Region o Peel o Hamilton If you must travel for essential reasons, families are asked to be aware of those areas that are in grey/lockdown level that require students to not attend our schools for 14 days. This changes with the level of virus transmission in Public Health Unit areas. Families who must travel can take steps to reduce their risk, including: Limiting use of public transportation Maintaining physical distancing and using a mask Avoiding crowded areas Limiting interactions with others Not spending time in a setting that has been declared as an outbreak Practicing hand hygiene If there are extenuating circumstances for your family, you are encouraged to reach out to your school principal to discuss. Academic support will be provided for families whose children are not able to attend school due to this advisory. We are asking all families to please continue to be mindful that COVID-19 is still with us and that different areas of the province and the country can have different levels of the virus in the community. The safest option to prevent the spread is to stay in the area of your home community or to stay in the region as per travel advisories and follow all public health protocols. Should you have any questions regarding this communication, please reply to this email or contact your school principal. Thank you for your assistance in protecting the health and safety of our staff and students. Your efforts during these difficult times are appreciated. Sincerely, Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education

Good Afternoon. We have shared 2 separate surveys if you are wishing to switch your child(ren) from in person to remote and from remote to in person. Please make sure to fill out the correct one. Thank you :)

NOTICE TO FAMILIES OF KPDSB STUDENTS - KPDSB Schools Remain Open for In-Person Learning, New Health and Safety Protocols Announced To view this notice as a PDF... to access the links, please follow this link - http://www.kpdsb.on.ca//Notice%20to%20Families%20-%20Ontar January 13, 2021 Yesterday (Tuesday, January 12, 2021), the Ontario Government declared a second provincial emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing cases in the province. All KPDSB schools will continue with in-person learning during the state of emergency until otherwise notified by the Ministry of Education or the medical officer of health. The announcement yesterday also included some new or enhanced health and safety protocols in schools that will come into effect tomorrow (Thursday, January 14, 2021). Please see the information below. Masking Now Required for Students in Grades 1-3 Facemasks will now be mandatory for all students in grades 1-3 as of Thursday, January 14 (previously, it was strongly recommended that students wear facemasks in those grades but was not required until Grade 4). We understand that families may need some time to acquire masks for their children, some flexibility will be in place with full enforcement beginning on Monday, January 18, 2021. Masking will also be required for grades 1-3 on school buses. The following information around face masks/coverings is from Health Canada: Well-designed and well-fitting masks or face coverings can prevent the spread of your infectious respiratory droplets. They may also help protect you from the infectious respiratory droplets of others. How well a mask or face covering works depends on the materials used, how the mask is made, and most importantly, how well it fits. A mask or face covering can be homemade or purchased, and should: be made of at least 3 layers (2 layers should be tightly woven material fabric, such as cotton or linen and the third (middle) layer should be a filter-type fabric, such as non-woven polypropylene fabric) be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose, mouth and chin without gaping allow for easy breathing fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops be comfortable and not require frequent adjustments be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty maintain its shape after washing and drying Please note that Health Canada does not recommend the use of neck gaiters or buffs. You can find more information on this at the link above. The Northwestern Health Unit also has resources on their website around how to wear a face mask properly, please follow this link - https://www.nwhu.on.ca//Using%20a%20cloth%20mask%20safely% Students in grades 4-12 are already required to wear masks while in schools and on the school bus. Masking remains strongly recommended but not mandatory for Kindergarten students. Masking Outdoors Now Required for Students in Grades 1-12 Masking will now be required for students in grades 1-12 for outdoor activities where physical distancing is not possible. Enhanced Screening Protocols The announcement yesterday included that enhanced screening protocols will be implemented in schools and childcares. We are awaiting further details on this. Families should continue to use the school screening tool every day before sending their child(ren) to school. Targeted Testing The announcement also made mention of targeted testing. The ministry will be expanding targeted testing for students, staff and their respective households. Testing will be voluntary and will also include child care settings. Schools and childcare settings will be identified by local public health, with a focus on those experiencing outbreaks, with high case counts, or in high priority communities. At this time, no targeted testing is planned for our schools. Secondary In-Person Cooperative Education Placements Paused In-person Cooperative Education (Coop) placements for secondary students will be paused for the duration of the emergency order. Families who have questions about their child’s coop placement should contact their child’s school directly. School Bus Transportation School bus transportation operated by the Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium will continue to be provided and will follow regular arrangements and schedules. Starting Thursday, January 14, masks must be worn on the bus as well as outdoors at bus stops by students in grades 1-12. Masks are strongly recommended for bus riders in Kindergarten. Families are reminded that screening must be completed prior to boarding the bus each day. For information about your child(ren)’s bussing arrangements and details about measures in place on school buses to reduce the spread of COVID-19, please visit www.nwobus.ca. Thank you to all of our families for your support as we implement these new requirements. Should you have any questions, please contact your child’s school (contact information for our schools can be found at this link). Sincerely, Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education

Good afternoon, We have once again opened our change request form for families who would like to switch their child’s learning model from remote learning in the KPDSB Virtual School, to in-person learning at their home school for February 1, 2021. Please ONLY complete the form if you are requesting a CHANGE from your child’s current learning model. If you wish to have your child continue in remote learning, you can disregard this email and do not need to do anything. Please... click here to complete the form to request a switch to in-person learning at your child’s home school. Please note that the form must be completed by January 18 in order to facilitate your request for February 1, 2021. Please complete one form per child. This is the last opportunity of the 2020-2021 school year to change your child’s model of learning. Families are encouraged to reach out their child’s school if there are any questions about the model of learning. We want to make sure families have all the information they need when considering making a change. To contact the KPDSB Virtual School, please call 468-5571, extension 318. Families will be contacted by email to confirm the change request has been received the week of January 18, 2021. The form will also email you a copy of your request so you have it on file should you need it. Should you have questions about using this form, or about making a request to change to in-person learning, please contact your child’s school directly, reply to this email, or send an email to [email protected]. https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSfZVLU9LI9RImwV0m/viewform

Greetings SMPS students and families A reminder for students to bring their assigned Chromebooks and chargers back to the school as soon as possible. These computers can be transported by the students and delivered to classroom teachers, or parents may drop them off at the office main doors between 8:15 am and 4:00pm. Thanks so much!

https://www.facebook.com/KPDSB

Good afternoon friends, family and community members. Just a reminder that we are still collecting for the family affected by the recent fire At this time, we kindly request that if anyone is looking to help, we are collecting gently used or new articles of clothing for the children affected. We ask that items have their tags left on and include a receipt. In the event we receive an abundance of an item, we will return the item and the money will be donated to the family.... We are looking for winter clothing (pants, sweatshirts, socks, underwear, jackets, boots hats etc.) in the following sizes - 8 year old girl: roughly size 10/12. Shoe size 3/4 youth - 11 year old girl: roughly size 14/16. Shoe size 7/8 women’s - 6 year old boy: roughly size 6x-7. Shoe size 10/11 youth Donations can be dropped off at Sioux Mountain School during school hours. Thank you to everyone who is doing what they can to help this family. Please share

2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR SURVEY IS NOW OPEN - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K3JTFD5. Please share! Every year, students, families, employees and communit...y members have an opportunity to provide feedback on the upcoming school year calendar. Please take a moment to fill out the survey for the proposed 2021-2022 School Year Calendar by clicking on this link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K3JTFD5. There are two calendar options for you to choose from in the survey. Your feedback will be reviewed by the Regional School Year Calendar Committee, which is comprised of five area school boards: the Northwest Catholic District School Board, the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, the Rainy River District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district Catholique des Aurores boréales and the Kenora Catholic District School Board. This survey is open until Friday, January 22.

Good afternoon friends, family and community members. With over 300 students, our school has been a hub for numerous families and community members. Throughout the years, we have worked towards building deep connections with our students and their families. In light of yesterday’s fire, Sioux Mountain will become the central point for donated items. We want the family to focus on each other, while we work with others to take care of the rest. We will collect, organize and hou...se donated items until the family is ready for their use. At this time, we kindly request that if anyone is looking to help, we are collecting new articles of clothing for the children affected. We ask that items have their tags left on and include a receipt. In the event we receive an abundance of an item, we will return the item and the money will be donated to the family. We are looking for winter clothing (pants, sweatshirts, socks, underwear, jackets, boots hats etc.) in the following sizes - 8 year old girl: roughly size 10/12. Shoe size 3/4 youth - 11 year old girl: roughly size 14/16. Shoe size 7/8 women’s - 6 year old boy: roughly size 6x-7. Shoe size 10/11 youth Donations can be dropped off at Sioux Mountain School during school hours. Thank you to everyone who is doing what they can to help this family. Please share

Our friends at the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre are offering their Christmas Food Hamper Program again this year. Please reach out if your family could use some extra support this holiday season. And don’t forget to RSVP your family for their drive-thru Christmas Feast next week! Chi miigwech NGFC for the amazing work you do to support our students, families and the community!

**UPDATE - ALL SPOTS HAVE BEEN FILLED** **PICTURE DAY FOR REMOTE LEARNERS** Pictures can be taken at Sioux Mountain Public School on November 17th in the Gymnasium starting at 3:30pm until 4:30pm... There are 10 spots available so it will be on a first come first serve basis. Please email Nikki at [email protected] to set up an appointment. Thank you :)

FREE We received a donation of produce from Thunder Bay Free to anyone who needs it please stop by 25 Fair St. 1:30 to 4:30 any day ... If you can't get their during those hours, call 737-7499 Potatoes 5 lb bags, apples, red and yellow peppers, tomatoes. See more

Exciting News Families!!!! Notices will be going home with students tomorrow :) *Note - only students who are attending in person will be allowed to have photos taken

Good morning Sioux Mountain Public School families, We wanted to advise families that we were contacted by the Sioux Lookout OPP around 10:30 this morning advising us to go into a Secure School. The Sioux Lookout OPP have confirmed that putting the school into Secure School is a precaution and that all students and staff are safe inside the building. Secure School is a medium response level and means that students and staff remain in their classrooms with the doors locked an...d all exterior school doors and windows are also locked. We will share additional information with families as it becomes available. Thanks, Wayne Mercer, Sioux Mountain Public School Principal

Unfortunately we were not able to get the Nutrition on Weekend bags out to participating students today. Students who were at school today will have their bags delivered to their homes tomorrow.

There is an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission in the Kenora region. Read more! https://www.nwhu.on.ca//Media-Release---Increased-COVID-19

Today is the last day for this survey. Please make sure to fill it out if you plan on switching from in person learning to remote learning or vice versa

A reminder to families who would like to have their child(ren) switched from in person learning to remote or from remote learning to in person learning. Please make sure to fill out the below form before October 19th.

https://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19/Pages/safe-holidays.aspx Be Safe this Halloween

**Attention SMPS Families** Good afternoon, Elementary families (students in Kindergarten to Grade 8) wishing to switch their children from in-person to remote learning or vice versa can do so at predetermined dates during the school year. The first date where families can switch their model of learning is November 2, 2020. To request a change in delivery for your child for November 2, please fill out our Change Request Form by no later than October 19, 2020. Families are ...asked to please fill out one form per child. If you know you will be switching your child to either remote or in-person learning, we ask that you please fill out the form as soon as possible. Families are encouraged to reach out to your child’s school if you have any questions around changing how your child is currently learning (ie. moving to remote learning from in-person learning and what remote learning looks like this year as far as expectations). We want to make sure families have all the information they need when considering making a change and your child’s school can help answer any questions you may have. Families will be contacted by email to confirm the change has been made the week of October 26, 2020. Should you have questions about using this form, or about making a request to change to remote or in-person learning, please either reply to this email, send an email to [email protected] or contact your child’s school directly. https://forms.gle/E3vgebPvmUQgTWCo8

Yesterday we recognized Orange Shirt Day. Our staff and students wore orange to honour those whose lives were forever changed by residential schools. We are committed to ensure that every child matters. Orange smoothies were delivered to each class in the morning. Students read stories, took part in learning activities, and created art around the school to build awareness of the residential school experience. #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #KPDSBPRIDE

Chi meegwetch to the staff at the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre for supporting SMPS students, families and our community with emergency food hampers over the past six months. All your hard work and dedication is appreciated!

Week 1 Lunch Kits are going home today! Registered SMPS students in grades 7 & 8 are receiving 3 Mexican themed lunches for the week. If your SMPS grade 7/8 s...tudent is interested in this 6 week lunch program, there is still time to register! Email [email protected] or [email protected] See more

Registration forms have gone out to the 7/8 students at SMPS for our first session of "Make at Home Lunch Kits". Spaces are limited...completed forms can be returned to Mrs. Dumonski.

http://www.kpdsb.on.ca//resources-for-families-from-the-nw Please see the updated protocols for when your child is sick from the NWHU

Calling all KPDSB remote learning families! Like and follow our KPDSB Virtual School's new page for information and updates- https://www.facebook.com/KPDSBVirtualSchool

**A Reminder for Parents/Guardians who are dropping off and/or picking up their child(ren)** Due to visitor restrictions at the school, please use the kiss and ride or the soccer field parking lot.