Dear Parents/ Guardians
In this letter, you will find information outlining the school start schedule for students, as well as the procedures we are asking all students to follow. It is important that you and your child understand the various plans outlined in this document. As the administration, we have numerous factors to consider in order to ensure the safest reopening possible for Sisler High School students. The large population of our school further complicates these decisions. In addition to classroom size, factors such as hallway flow, lunch hour and break space, as well as, entries and exits into the building have been taken into account. We appreciate your support and understanding during this stressful time. We look forward to having our students back in the school and creating a positive learning environment for everyone.
Instructional Strategy:
Sisler will offer a hybrid educational delivery system on a 5 day schedule (Monday through Friday). While in the building, students will follow the traditional 6 day school schedule on their timetables. All courses will be delivered by teachers from their classroom. The primary focus will be on delivering lessons to all students in real time, through a combination of classroom learning and simultaneous participation through live streaming for those students at home. In some cases, teachers may opt for an inverted classroom where lessons are created on video which are then assigned for times outside of the teaching day. In this case students would still be divided into Groups, with some students attending in person, and the remainder participating simultaneously online. During class time students would work on problems or assignments with the teacher providing direction, assessment and assistance.
Student Timetables
- Students will receive their timetables through their WSD email account the week of September 2.
- If students have any issues accessing their timetables or need to make changes they should contact their guidance counsellor by email or phoning the school starting September 3rd.
C. Tribula ctribula@wsd1.org Surnames A – Dee
G. Andruchuk gandruchuk@wsd1.org Surnames Del – I + EAL
C. Mackintosh cmackintosh@wsd1.org Surnames J – PL
C. Stein cstein@wsd1.org Surnames PO – Z
K. Sinclair ksinclair@wsd1.org All grade 9’s
- Students will not be allowed to come to the school until September 8th
The primary focus of the school is the safety of all staff and students. We will do this by following the 2 meter social distancing guidelines outlined by the Province at all times. This is particularly challenging at our school due to the large number of students and staff. One of the main challenges we faced when creating this schedule is the fact that we cannot accommodate large groups of students in our school over the lunch hour. Therefore, all Grade 10 – 12 students will be attending school for half days only. We acknowledge that the schedule below is unconventional and will, at times, be inconvenient. Know that throughout the year we will be reevaluating public health guidelines as well as the effectiveness of this schedule and will make adjustments when needed.
Grade 9 strategy: Grade 9 students will be split into 2 Groups. Group A will attend in-person, full day classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Group B will attend in-person, full day classes on Wednesday and Fridays. Mondays will be designated for recovery learning, conferences by invitation, resource, assessment and online maintenance. Students will be divided into two equal groups. Attached to this letter you will find which group your child is in. On the days that your child is not scheduled to be at school, they are required to do their schooling from home and must not enter the school at any time.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Recovery Learning | Group 9a | Group 9b | Group 9a | Group 9b |
| Recovery Learning | Group 9a | Group 9b | Group 9a | Group 9b |
| Recovery Learning | Group 9a | Group 9b | Group 9a | Group 9b |
| Recovery Learning | Group 9a | Group 9b | Group 9a | Group 9b |
Grade 10 – Post-High strategy: Grade 10 – post-high students will be split into 4 Groups. Groups will be generated by the students’ surname. Group 1 will attend in-person classes on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Group 2 will attend in-person classes on Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings. Group 3 will attend in-person classes on Thursday mornings and Friday afternoons. Group 4 will attend in-person classes on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings. Mondays will be assigned for recovery learning, conferences by invitation, resource, assessment and online maintenance. This strategy will eliminate congregating students during lunch hour and spares.
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 9:00 – 10:20 | Recovery Learning | Group 1 AM | Group 2 AM | Group 3 AM | Group 4 AM |
| 10:30 – 11:45 | Recovery Learning | Group 1 AM | Group 2 AM | Group 3 AM | Group 4 AM |
| 12:45 – 2:00 | Recovery Learning | Group 2 PM | Group 1 PM | Group 4 PM | Group 3 PM |
| 2:10 – 3:30 | Recovery Learning | Group 2 PM | Group 1 PM | Group 4 PM | Group 3 PM |
- Grade 10 – Post-High Group 1 – Surnames beginning with A – C
- Grade 10 – Post-High Group 2 – Surnames beginning with D – K
- Grade 10 – Post-High Group 3 – Surnames beginning with L – P
- Grade 10 – Post-High Group 4 – Surnames beginning with Q – Z
Work Education, Special Education and Community Access Program strategy:
Students will attend classes every day.
Student Attendance
School hours at Sisler are between the hours of 9:00AM – 3:30PM. Students must be present during their slotted time daily, whether in class or remotely. It is important to note that attendance and participation in online classes in real time is imperative and will greatly impact your child’s success levels. Where remote learning is included as part of the learning plan for students at the high school level, students are expected to participate. Students who are unable to return to school due to personal or family health risks factors related to COVID-19 are required to provide their school administrator medical direction from their family physician. The school will consult with the family on an accommodation to support their remote learning. Students who do not wish to attend in class learning for non-medical reasons will be directed to the Province’s Homeschooling Plan (www.edu.gov.mb.ca), which is not affiliated with Sisler High school.
Breaks and Spares:
Breaks: Students will follow traffic flow directions indicated in the hallways to ensure minimum contact. Students must travel directly from one class to another and may not gather in the hallways between classes. There will be zero tolerance for disruptive behaviour during the school day. Your child will be sent home should they be a part of such an incident.
Common Spaces:
Lockers will not be assigned for the 2020-21 school year. Students will keep their belongings and supplies in their school bag.
Important notes:
- The first day of classes will be Tuesday, September 8.
- Teachers will be communicating with students through their WSD1 email address, students must check their email on a daily basis.
- On days where students are scheduled to attend, they may enter the building at 8:30 AM, no earlier for their morning classes and 12:25 PM for their afternoon classes.
- Everybody at Sisler must adhere to the 2 meter social distancing protocol at all times.
- Wearing a mask while at Sisler will be mandatory. If a student does not have their own mask, one will be provided.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the school.
- ALL students attending school on a given day must be screened at home by a parent/guardian using the Manitoba Public Health screening tool, which can be found on our school website.
- If a student exhibits symptoms while at school, a parent will be contacted and the student must be picked up immediately. The student will be in isolation in sick room 132A while waiting to be picked up.
- Students should bring their own water and water bottles to school. Water fountains will not be usable. Two no-touch fillable water station will be available.
- Parents should ensure the school has a working email for them on file so that proper communication can take place.
Entry / Exits
Students will enter and exit the building through the following doors: Upon entry students will be expected to either wash your hands or use the hand sanitizer available.
- Grade 9 – Main entrance by the office
- Grade 10 – Middle doors off of Redwood
- Grade 11 – Industrial Arts doors by the woodshop
- Grade 12 – Science room doors by room 91
- Staff – Main parking lot doors by the theater
Social Distancing Protocols
- In the classroom, students will have an assigned desk.
- Please follow the signage and arrows that will be directing traffic through the hallways and staircases. Students are asked to not loiter in the hallways.
- There will be a limited number of students allowed in the washrooms at a given time.
- The number of visitors in the school will be limited. Arrangements must be made by contacting our school office before a visitor will be allowed in.
Lunch Hour
- There will be no cafeteria services at this time.
- Grade 9 students are strongly encouraged to go home for lunch.
- Students who remain in the building during the lunch hour (11:45-12:45) will be assigned a space in which they must stay for its entirety.
- Grade 10 – Post high’s are not to be in the building during the lunch hour as their schedules are only for half days.
Important Links:
Sisler’s website: https://www.winnipegsd.ca/schools/Sisler/Pages/default.aspx
Manitoba Health Covid19 Screening Tool: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/
Restoring Safe Schools Guidelines, Province of Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/safeschools.html
Please keep in mind these plans can change. We will continue to follow the guidelines outlined by the Province and will make adjustments accordingly. We understand that these are anxious and unprecedented times, we appreciate your total support as we move forward towards re-opening our school.
Sincerely,
George Heshka
Principal
Sisler High School
