Dear Parents and Guardians:
I hope you have enjoyed a restful summer with your family and friends. We are looking forward to seeing all of our students again and to working with you toward an amazing school year. Please see the information items below as some will assist you with your planning toward a smooth start for to the 2021-2022 school year.
Ministry Plan for the Return to School
Last Wednesday afternoon, the minister of education, François Roberge, presented the new plan for the reopening of schools across Quebec. We have been receiving clarification this week and will receive more over the next few days. I will send a detailed list of measures to parents and guardians later next week as they become finalized by public health. As we have done in the past, we will inform you of any new information as soon as it is received throughout the year.
Changes to Some COVID-19 Restrictions
Some of the safety measures established last year such as hand-washing, monitoring of symptoms and disinfecting of school premises will be maintained in 2021-2022 but this year’s start up will see some of the public health measures loosened compared to last September’s start. There are no longer class bubbles or daycare bubbles. However, we will be smart in the way we organize transitions to and from classes to reduce the mixing of groups. At this time, public health has indicated that masks will need to be worn by students in grades 1 to 6 while they are in common areas (hallways) or on the bus but they no longer need to wear them while in class or outside. Sports, school trips and extra-curricular activities will once again take place, something that will make many students (and staff) very happy. During these activities, all safety measures will be respected as per public health instructions. Public health will be monitoring the situation in the region and will instruct us on how to proceed so these measures are subject to change. More details on COVID-19 measures will follow next week.
Staggered Entry
As was the case last year, we will stagger the entry for students to ensure public health procedures can effectively and safely be taught, practiced and understood. Please see the instructions below for each grade:
Staggered Entry for Kindergarten
Parents/guardians of Kindergarten (K4 and K5) will be contacted personally next week to explain and schedule the SPECIAL staggered entry as is done every year. The Kindergarten staggered entry takes place over 4 days.
Staggered Entry for Grades 1-6
- Monday, August 30th, 2021 ONLY Grades 1, 3 and 5 come to school.
- Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 ONLY Grades 2, 4 and 6 come to school.
- Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 All students in Grades 1-6 come to school.
Procedures for the First Days of School
Please note that details on the first days of school will be sent out next week. Items such as drop off and pick up procedures are being finalized as are a few others.
School Website
Please note that important information is accessible on our school’s website. You can access the site through the following link to see the School Calendar, School Supply List, Breakdown of School Fees Per Grade, Code of Conduct and curriculum documents (Quebec Education Program and Progression of Learning). Lord Aylmer Elementary School (westernquebec.ca)
Daycare Registrations
Daycare services are available before and after school. If you would like to register your child, please contact Julie Belisle, our daycare coordinator, via email at jbelisle@wqsb.qc.ca or call at (819) 684-1494.
REMIND Notifications
Lord Aylmer went paperless four years ago. Our main method of communicating important information to parents and guardians for items such as newsletters, special notices, emergency alerts and inclement weather is through our REMIND notification service. It is important that every parent/guardian be registered to this free service. You can choose to receive notifications through text messages or email notifications or both. Please visit our website at lordaylmer.westernquebec.ca for instructions on how to sign up.
Parent Portal (Mozaik)
The WQSB PARENT PORTAL (also referred to as MOZAIK PORTAL) will be the method for parents and guardians to access student information such as bussing transportation details for your child, report cards, registration forms, etc. If you are new to Lord Aylmer and require support in setting up an account for the PORTAL, please contact our administrative technician, Corinna Abraham at cabraham@wqsb.qc.ca . To log in to the MOZAIK PORTAL, please access the following link: Mozaik Portal Login
Bussing: Bus Stops, Pick-up and Drop Off Times
Transportation information will be available on the PARENT PORTAL (MOZAIK) on August 26th and 27th only. After this time, the information will be removed to be updated for changes by the school board. Parents and guardians who do not access the PORTAL on those days will have to contact the school directly, which may cause delays in your obtaining the transportation information. Please try to use the PARENT PORTAL as this will help our office staff a great deal at this busy time. If you do not know your child’s student ID number to link them to your profile, please contact Corinna Abraham at cabraham@wqsb.qc.ca. To log in to the MOZAIK PORTAL, please access the following link: Mozaik Portal Login
Bussing: Change of Address
If your address has recently changed, please notify the school as soon as possible and expect a delay of 5 days for the school board’s transportation department to process the change.
Bussing: Safety for Students in Kindergarten and Grade 1
Students in Kindergarten (K4 and K5) as well as those in grade 1 need an adult to be present for bus pick up and drop off. As in past years, if an adult is not present when the driver is dropping off a student, the student will be returned to the school. This year, the school board will charge parents/guardians a fee of 25$ if the child must be returned to the school.
Students in Kindergarten (K4 and K5) will be issued a tag for their school bag identifying their bus number. The tags will assist staff and drivers to ensure students are on the correct bus line. For parents/guardians of students in Lord Aylmer School Kindergarten, these will be provided to you at the initial Kindergarten visit during the staggered start. Students in grade 1 will receive their tags on their first day of school.
School Fees
Invoices will be sent out to parents/guardians in coming weeks.
As mentioned above, more detailed information regarding the start up and safety measures will be sent to you next week. I look forward to working with you toward a successful school year.
Respectfully,
Eldon Keon, Principal