English International School Information, 11th September 2020

Dear Parents,

Since yesterday teachers have been reaching out to families to inform them of the group into which their students have been placed and to make sure they have the gmail addresses of all of their students. We assume that you have read the three preceding Information Letters of 21st August, 29th August and 4th September, which have detailed our reopening under Hybrid Plan B. Groups have been organised, for the most part, alphabetically, with siblings placed in the same group. We have also made a point of placing new children at school in Group A.

On Monday, 14th September, we will receive Group A in school. At arrival to each building, there will be a teacher to direct children at the entrance, where they will have their temperatures taken and will wash their hands. Carers and assistants will also assist in the process of safely welcoming children to school. Please note that following the guidance for school re-entry of paediatric academies and the directives for social distancing, only students and staff will be allowed entry on the school premises. As the rains have already begun, please do have an umbrella or other rain gear available in the car for your child’s brief walk to the class on rainy days.

Please note, and inform your drivers, that respect of the system which we have put in place for dismissal is essential to health and safety. Patience and consideration are of utmost importance as you wait in your car for your child to be escorted out by staff. We ask that you have your child’s surname written on a sheet of paper to place temporarily in view at the wind-shield. When leaving, please do not attempt to make a U-turn; take a side street to avoid congestion.

Group B will be learning remotely during the week of 14th September. As we intend for the remote learning to be synchronous, teachers will expect children at home to establish the same routine as they would if physically present in class. This will mean being punctual to remote lessons, wearing the school uniform, taking the timetabled breaks and engaging in physical activity. Google Classroom and Google Meet are the platforms to be used for remote learning. Teachers have also had two days of training on the GoLab platform, which may be introduced for virtual STEM experiments as appropriate. Zoom may also be used for some virtual meeting sessions. We have made every effort to upgrade our internet connections throughout school and assure the competence of teachers on the aforementioned platforms.

We have set up isolation rooms at school in the event that a child should become ill. In that case, the parent or caregiver will be contacted and asked to come immediately to pick up the child. Depending on the symptoms, negative results of a COVID-19 test will be required for the child’s return to school. If there is a confirmed COVID-19 case at school, everyone in that child’s cohort, including the classroom teacher and anyone in contact with that child, will be quarantined. If that child has siblings, it will be necessary for the siblings’ classroom to be quarantined and a shift to remote learning for fourteen days may be in order for the entire school. While maintaining confidentiality, we intend to be transparent for the health and safety of our school community.

We have addressed several aspects of this new way of living and learning under the COVID-19 pandemic. As there will certainly be more aspects to address, we remind you to keep abreast of the situation and refer to the school Newsletters on a regular basis. If you have not been receiving the Information/Newsletters, please contact the school secretary. Newsletters are always posted on the school website.

We thank you in advance for your collaboration and cooperation. We look forward with optimism to a healthy and productive academic year 2020 – 2021.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Khelseau-Carsky

Head teacher