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 in Grade 5 and 6 to be able to attend school every day, and for all students in Grade 7 and 8 to attend school on alternating dayswhile in the Restricted Level. 

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 has allowed Grade 5 and 6 families to opt for an In School learning experience or a Remote Learning experience for their child(ren).  HSD will continue to offer remote learning as an option for Grades K-6 through until Mar. 26, 2021 (Spring Break).  All Grade 7 and 8 students will be on the alternating day, track schedule.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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 in school classes start as follows:
    • Track A students will start in school classes on Monday, January 18th, 2021
    • Track B students will start in school classes on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021
  • 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.

REMOTE SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE INFORMATION AND PLANS

    • HSD will now be providing a divisional remote learning model. 
    • For those who choose to start/continue with remote learning beyond the current two week period (ending Jan. 15), programming will primarily take place in a multi-age format (Grade 5-6). 
    • Remote learning for Grades 5-6 will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning and will be taught by a cohort of HSD teachers from across the division. 
    • If you have chosen this option, please note that a teacher from another HSD school may teach your child.
    • For those students who will be participating in remote learning until Spring Break, there will be a transition period from Jan. 18-22. During this time, parents can choose to access the following websites for resources, and students can continue to complete outstanding work (from Jan. 4-15). 
    • Monday, Jan. 25, will be the commencing date of remote learning with an assigned teacher.
    • 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. 

 

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 for January 18- March 26, 2021.  Please feel free to contact the school if you have further questions at 204-320-9488.

 

Yours in education,

Susanne Kwiatkowski                                A.J. Neufeld

Vice Principal                                              Interim Principal

skwiatkowski@hsd.ca                               aneufeld@hsd.ca

in: General