Dear Watson Road Family,

We hope your family is healthy and well.  Your support throughout these last few months is much appreciated.  We know things have been stressful, and we thank you for supporting the remote learning opportunities our staff have prepared for your children. 

We are currently in Stage 4 of the Ministry of Educations’ measured approach to phasing in a return to learning in classrooms no later than June 1.  When students return to in-class instruction for parents who choose this option, we will move to Stage 3.  This will include in-class learning for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 on a part-time basis, as well as remote learning for some students.  When in-class instruction resumes, remote learning and in-school instruction will look different as teachers will be managing both.

Students NOT returning to classes:

At home, learning options will continue through to the end of the school year.  However, it is important to note that this service may look different than it has since spring break.  

• Teachers will be working four days a week with students in the classroom, and thus, their availability for direct access (through email, phone, and Zoom) will be limited.  
• Teachers will continue to provide weekly overviews as they have been doing (by email, webpages, or Google Classroom) with weekly activities for students.  This work, however, will be mostly self- or parent-guided.
• Teachers will be available for check-ins and to answer support questions on Wednesdays. Additional contact from support staff may be available for remote learning.
• Families can expect “at home” learning to look different beginning this week (May 25 - 29).  Teachers will provide the week at a glance, and support time will be identified in that plan, but previously scheduled zoom meetings may be limited as teachers are preparing their spaces to welcome students.
• If, at any point you change your mind and decide you would like your child to begin attending classes, please contact our office first.  In terms of safety, it is important that your child's attendance is confirmed, as we will have to ensure the classroom is set up to accommodate all our students.

NOTE:  We will ask that all technology borrowed must be returned the last week of school June 22^nd.

Students Returning to Classes:

Thank you in advance for watching this video (Click to view 5 min. video), as well as reading through the protocols we have in place, before bringing your child back to school.  (Earlier today, you would have also received another letter from your classroom teacher specifying which days of the week your child will be attending, as well as other practices, protocols and our new staggered scheduling.)

Family Engagement and Considerations:

We fully value families as partners in children’s education.  Given the unique circumstance, we ask that parents/guardians continue to be involved, but support us by honouring the following expectations:

• Our school building will remain CLOSED to parents for the health and safety of all.
  • Parents and visitors will be asked to NOT come into the building at this time
  • Doors will remain locked throughout the day
• ALL communication with teachers or the office should be through email or telephone
• Closed Campus: Watson Road and its grounds is a closed campus to all but our staff and assigned students between 8:30 and 2:30 (with the exception of drop-off and pick-up times). Please ensure that your child is not on school grounds on days they have not been assigned to
• As well, we will be adjusting our on-site Learning Services/Childcare Program for Essential Service Workers students.  In staying within the guidelines of having no more than 50% of our school's population In attendance at any given time, we are collaborating with third party child care providers to relocate child care services for ESW families from June 1^st – June 26^th. (An email today was sent to the families currently in this program.)

We value our partnership with families and invite your feedback as we work together to plan for a safe return.  At Watson, we appreciate respect, responsibility, kindness and community.  This is an exceptional opportunity to model these values, in harmony, and plan for a safe and supportive end of the school year for all students.

We are incredibly grateful for the support that has been shown by all of our Watson Road Families through this unique set of circumstances.  If you have any questions at all, please contact us at 250-870-5137 or wat@sd23.bc.ca 

Stay healthy and safe!     

Janet Williams

Michael Kormany

Your Administration Team