MITCHELL MIDDLE SCHOOL – RESTRICTED LEVEL SCHOOL PLAN – NOVEMBER 2020

 INTRODUCTION: MOVING TO THE RESTRICTED LEVEL (ORANGE)

The purpose of this document is to communicate an overview on Mitchell Middle School plans  as we move to the Restricted Level (Orange) in Manitoba’s Pandemic Response System. Our first and foremost priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our students and staff This document may evolve as we receive further guidance and directions from Public Health and Manitoba Education. Details for the Pandemic Response System Levels for K–12 Schools from the Province of Manitoba can be found here.

We are committed to continuous and transparent communication with our parents/guardians as we believe information is critical in order to address any challenges and obstacles that may arise in this new learning climate.

We continue to be confident that we have developed systems and structures to ensure students and staff stay as safe as possible with learning and social/emotional health being the main focus. MMS feels the best place for kids is to be at school but we understand that personal circumstances may require students to learn remotely. MMS is planning for all children to be able to attend school while in the Restricted Level.

The Restricted Level in the community of Mitchell began on November 2, 2020 and will be in place for a minimum of two weeks (until November 16, 2020). The Restricted Level school plan begins in the Hanover School Division and Mitchell Middle School on November 12, 2020. MMS is planning for the Restricted Level in two week blocks as follows:

  • Block 1 – Nov. 3 to Nov. 16
  • Block 2 (tentative) – Nov. 17 to Nov. 30
  • Block 3 (tentative) – Dec. 1 to Dec. 14

Public Health will determine if the Restricted Level is extended or if MMS will return to the Caution Level (Yellow) in the Pandemic Response System. MMS started the school year in the Caution Level (Yellow).

The Restricted Level allows families to opt for an In School learning experience or a Remote Learning experience for their child(ren). Parents/Guardians have the option to move their child to the other learning experience, if necessary. Parents are asked to speak to Mr. Mead to discuss the option and timing of this kind of change. MMS asks that families commit to their choice in at least two week blocks.

IN SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE INFORMATION AND PLANS

  • The regular school day ‘bell schedule’ will be followed.
  • Entrance, recess, lunch, dismissal plans would remain intact as they have been since the start of the school year. View those plans here.
  • Homerooms may be moved to larger teaching spaces so students can stay a minimum of two metres apart at all times. Homeroom teachers will contact families by the end of the week with any changes to homerooms.
  • The following courses will be focused on daily: English Language Arts (2 periods per day), Mathematics (2 periods per day), Science (1 period per day), Social Studies (1 period per day), Physical Education (1 period per day), STEAM (1 period per day)
  • Students will follow the same schedule everyday. New homeroom schedules will be shared by Friday November 6, 2020.
  • Masks must be worn at all times when distancing is unpredictable. Current exemptions to masks will be honoured. 
  • Grade 5 and 6 students attend school every day
  • Grade 7 and 8 students attend every other day (Track A – Days 1,3 5 OR Track B -Days 2, 4, 6). Teachers will determine which days a student comes to school (which Track they are in). MMS can be flexible in certain situations to make sure siblings are at home on the same days (or not depending on the needs of individual families). This information will appear in the Parent Portal and on our school calendar to help families remember what days your child(ren) should be at school.
  • Grade 7 and 8 students will work on material from the previous day to stay engaged in school on days when they are learning from home.
  • The days (Track 1 or Track 2) your child will be expected to attend will be communicated to students and parents/guardians by November 6, 2020. 
  • Grade 7 and 8 students are coming every other day to make space in the classroom to ensure distance can be maintained. If a child is 11 years old an accommodation can be made to have that child attend school everyday until their twelfth birthday.

REMOTE SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE INFORMATION AND PLANS

    • Students will follow the schedule determined by their teachers. Remote learning schedules will be by November 6, 2020.
    • The remote learning school day will have much more structure to it compared to what was experienced in the Spring of 2020.
    • The following courses will be focused on daily: English Language Arts (2 periods per day), Mathematics (2 periods per day), Science (1 period per day), Social Studies (1 period per day), Physical Education (1 independent period per day), STEAM (1 independent  period per day)
    • All standards for remote learning can be found here. The highlights are below:
      • Students will be required to participate daily in learning and assessment with minimum standards, as follows: 
        • Real-time online instruction will be coordinated by the assigned teacher for all students registered in the class. Students must be available for the following real-time learning times (synchronous)
          • Grades 5-8: Seven to eight hours of instruction (synchronous) per week
  • Independent work: Student assignments will reflect the learning outcomes of the Manitoba Curriculum. Assignments will be differentiated to meet the learning needs of students. Independent work can include reading, viewing and responding to pre-recorded videos, and engaging in project-based learning. Some parent/caregiver support may be required. Students will be expected to participate for the following minimum amounts of time (independent work): 
        • Grades 5-8: three hours per day
  • Parent/Caregiver Involvement
  • Parent/caregiver involvement and support will be required and will vary depending on the age of the student and the student’s ability to work independently. This learning approach relies on the parent/caregiver to monitor engagement and completion of required independent work. 
  • Students are required to check in daily for Attendance using the Self Check In Form. This form also allows students to communicate needs to school administration and counselors daily.
  • All school work will be provided online via livestream, Google Classroom, Google Meet, orGoogle Chat the teacher uses to engage students. 
  • MMS has limited Chromebooks/iPads that may be able to be borrowed by families if the Remote Learning option was chosen. Please contact Mr. Mead (amead@hsd.ca) to make arrangements if a device is required to be borrowed from MMS. 
  • The MMS goal is to maintain a daily connection with all students who have chosen the remote learning option.
  • Homeroom teachers will be the main contact for children learning remotely.

We hope that this document has helped to address some of the questions you may have about the MMS move to the Restricted Level (Orange).  Please feel free to contact the school if you have further questions at 204-320-9488.

 

Please keep in touch as you need.

 

Sincerely,

 

Susanne Kwiatkowski

Vice Principal

skwiatkowski@hsd.ca

Andrew Mead

Principal

amead@hsd.ca

204-371-6278 (cell)

in: General