November 29, 2020
Hello UES Families,
Our students and staff enjoyed our Jersey/Hat/Teams spirit day this week! We are also enjoying being outside at least three times a day during this mild weather.
Here are a few quick updates for the week:
Learning updates
As you know we are continuing with face to face learning for our students until Dec. 18th. We feel fortunate that we are continuing to work with your wonderful students. As per the provincial announcement last week, University School will remain open for in-person learning through to Dec. 18 pending any additional announcements.
For the week of Jan. 5 – 8, students will be set up for online learning. More details on this will come forward in the weeks to come. CBE-specific information can be found HERE and Alberta Government information can be found HERE. To prepare for online learning from Jan. 4th to 8th we are requesting that all students have gone into Google classrooms. Our staff are working hard at creating classrooms with many resources and lessons.
Thanks for your continued support with this! COVID-19 Parent FAQ
Emergency Drills
This Thursday we will hold a lock down drill at University School. The safety of all students and staff of UES is of great importance. To that end, we work diligently to establish appropriate safety measures and precautions for the various situations that may occur and affect our staff and students. Fire drills are a long-standing expectation of everyone who congregates in a setting such as a school. CBE schools are required to have a minimum of six fire drills each school year and two lockdown drills.
Our students and staff treat each drill as though it was the real thing and we are very proud of their performance during those drills. It is a reflection of the changes in our society that over the years we have added variations to our safety drills. The teachers spend time preparing and instructing students regarding their role during a drill of this kind at the beginning of the school year and again last month. Just like fire drills, every school in CBE is required to practice lockdown drills. Again, we take these drills seriously and we practice as if it were the real thing. Two police constables assist us with these drills, and the drill is not over until a police constable unlocks the door.
My own children have been through two real lockdowns, one when a coyote got into the building during a summer camp! Each CBE school also has specific emergency preparedness protocols for missing children, bomb threats, environmental/exterior threats and evacuation to alternate site(s). Teachers are trained in first aid and have regularly review emergency plans with the children. We appreciate your support in these very important mat
Learning Moments- Helpful questions beyond ‘What did you do in school today?’
Each teacher has a Google classroom that your student can access for review, homework or if they are home sick. All worksheets being used in class also go onto the Google classroom for students who are learning from home. If you are unsure of how to access the classroom, please email your students’ teacher. Should your child’s class be required to isolate, learning is intended to shift seamlessly online. This can only occur if students are familiar with log-in, general features and functions. All CBE students will be learning online from Jan.4-8. Please ask your student how to log in and show you around the platform!
Reminder changes to student COVID checklist
The Alberta government updated the daily COVID-19 symptoms checklist for children under 18. It took effect starting on Monday, Nov. 2.
There are a number of government and Alberta Health Services resources available to help families understand the next steps of what they are required to do – when you must isolate, when to be tested, how long you must stay home and when you can go back to school. Visit the If a Student is Sick or has COVID-19 Symptoms page to learn more about:
§ When you should keep your child at home
§ What to do if your child is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
§ What to do if your child is feeling unwell
§ What to you if your child has been exposed to a positive case at school
§ How your child can continue learning from home
Families should follow the specific directions of Alberta Health Services Public Health and/or Alberta HealthLink 811
Important Upcoming Dates
Fri. Nov. 27 Kindergarten AM attends
Thurs. Dec. 3 Revised date for practice lockdown drill
Fri. Dec. 4 PD Day- No School for students
Fri. Dec. 11 Kindergarten PM attends
Fri. Dec 18 Kindergarten AM attends
Spirit day: Sleepy Pajama day
Last day of School before Winter Break
Mon. Dec. 21 Winter Break Starts
Mon. Jan. 4 PD Day - No School for students|
Tues. Jan 5 Classes Resume
Social/Emotional Wellness During Covid-19
We recognize that this is a time that may cause challenges to student and family wellness. Please know that there are a variety of counselling supports available to assist you or your children.
- Access Mental Health: 403-943-1500
- Calgary Counselling Centre: 403-691-5991 Only telephone and online counselling are available
- Distress Centre: 403-266-4357 The call centre is closed, with staff working remotely. Support is still available 24/7.
7. Eastside Family Centre: 403-299-9696 Only phone and e-therapy services available
8. Kid’s Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
9. Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642
10. Catholic Family Services - Rapid Access Counselling: 403-233-2360 or email intake@cfs-ab.org
Food Supports during Covid-19
- Alberta 211 - call 211 for urgent food support
- The Calgary Food Bank - request food hampers by calling 403-253-2055.
- Check out www.foodfinderyyc.com on a regular basis as well as new food support locations are being added each week. Some of these locations will offer lunch/dinner by registration or by drop in (some may even offer delivery) and some will offer food hampers
