April 27, 2020
Please visit the following link on the board website to view a letter from Director Murray to parents/guardians regarding the extended closure of schools across the province as announced yesterday by Minister of Education Stephen Lecce.
http://ow.ly/xCqR50zpqcW
Thank you for your continued support of our on-line learning environment. The transition to the on-line learning environment has come with its challenges but also with many successes.
Please tell your child(ren) how much we miss seeing them!
April 24, 2020
Dear Parents:
Assessment and Evaluation
The main purpose for online learning is to continue learning for students, to provide structure in a student’s day and to help them stay connected to other students and staff to bring some normalcy back to their life. The Minister of Education has previously announcement that all students in elementary will be moving on to the next grade. Student’s grades will reflect their learning up until March 13th, 2020. No student’s grade will be negatively affected by performance during the school closure period. We recognize that learning may look different in every household at this time. We aim to support all families in our school community. The ministry and its education partners are considering how the school closure period will impact planning for the 2020-21 school year.
Thank you,
Stephanie Bouchard
April 9, 2020
Hi everyone,
I hope that everyone is keeping safe and healthy (and not going too stir crazy). Educators have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes working on loading our vLE (virtual learning environment) with great learning activities for your kids. Hopefully by now you and your child's teacher have made contact. If you have not heard from your child's teacher (or you accidentally heard from a different teacher who does not teach your child) please email me directly.
If you have not yet completed the board tech survey please do so today. This survey is an important part of our on-line learning process as it will help up determine any tech needs for the school. This is the survey you complete if you have NO tech at home to use for on-line learning. The link is below:
https://ictservicecentre.bwdsb.on.ca/HEAT/Default.aspx…
As we move forward into this new phase of learning we want to reassure you of a few things:
1. We are here for you. We know that this is all new for both you and your child(ren). It's new for us too and we're all learning together.
2. Do what you can but don't stress about the work. We know that most of you are worried about this but we will figure it out.
3. Balance is important. On-line learning won't look like a traditional school day. We have no expectations that your child(ren) will be sitting completing school work all day. It's, not only okay, but recommended, that you take breaks
Don’t forget to apply for the Ontario one-time payment to families with children: https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-support-families
Eligibility
There is no income cap on this program. All parents are eligible if you have a child who is:
• $200 for children aged 0 to 12
• $250 for children or youth aged 0 to 21 with special needs
If you have more than one child, you must submit one application per child.
Before you apply, please note:
• only one parent can apply for each child
• the parent who applies should have custody of the child
You are still eligible if you are a health care or front-line worker who is using emergency, 24-hour child care centres.
Thank you,
Stephanie Bouchard
March 26, 2020
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, all Bluewater District School Board school outdoor playground structures are closed until further notice. This means that no person is to come in contact with any of the structures, effective immediately.
March 25, 2020
Hello Huskie Families,
We wanted to take a moment to check in. We know how stressful life
is right now and want to ensure that we share resources with you to
support your family through the upcoming weeks.
We miss our students very much and know that they likely miss seeing
their friends, teachers and support staff.
Keep up to date with the Hillcrest Teeswater Principal page for ideas to
keep your child(ren) busy and spirit activities. Please post pictures in
the comments section so we can virtually connect!
Please see this link for contact information for various community
food programs in Grey and Bruce. If you are in need of food, please
reach out to these supports: https://povertytaskforce.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/community-food-program-list-external_24-march-2020.pdf
The following link has some mental health supports from the Canadian
Mental Health Association. We appreciate the work they do to support
our community. Please check it out for more information. CMHA_presentation-March.2020 (1).pdf
Also, I am here if you need assistance. My email is
stephanie_bouchard@bwdsb.on.ca. Please reach out if you are needing support
and I will try to connect you with services.
We will continue to keep you updated during these fluid times.
Stephanie Bouchard, Principal
UPDATE INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19 School Closures
Monday, March 23, 2020
Good Morning Huskie Families,
We hope everyone is safe at home and able to find the supports needed
during this unprecedented time that we are living in. As announced
before March Break, the Ministry of Education has created online
supports for families during this two week period of school closure.
Please see this link, http://www.bwdsb.on.ca/Parents/COVID-19_Updates for two
letters, one from Director Murray and the other from Minister Lecce
containing important information about how to access these resources.
Some families may be feeling overwhelmed at the thought of supporting
the learn from home program, the online activities are to give our
students resources that will keep them engaged, and maintain their
skills in reading, writing and math skills. There are no rules for what
to use from this program or how much time students should be working on
it. Create a routine that works for your family, be flexible based on
your child's interest and attention. Creating predictable routines,
including regular bed and wake up times as well as learning times, helps
to alleviate stress for children during times of uncertainty. We know
many of you are still working as well as trying to support your children
during these two weeks so finding a routine that will work for your
family is one way to be able to look at small pieces of time instead of
whole days. Physical activity is important as well. We know this is
extra challenging at the moment with trying to maintain social distance
as well as having the parks closed, but going for a walk or bike ride,
even colouring with sidewalk chalk on the driveway, are great activities
to get some fresh air and movement.
Bluewater will post any updates on the following link: http://www.bwdsb.on.ca/Parents/COVID-19_Updates
Please continue to adhere to the guidelines set out by Public Health
and the Government so that we can protect ourselves, family and
community.
Huskies are known to for rising above challenging situations, and
that is true of our school community. We are here to support our
families as we adapt to the changing conditions we are currently
experiencing.
Take care,
Stephanie Bouchard, Principal