Return to School Plan

Parents/guardians are responsible for screening their children for COVID-19 symptoms daily and keeping them home if they are sick. A screening reminder is sent to parents on every day that their child is scheduled to enter the building. The screening form is also accessible via the school's Resource Board.

Parents must notify Attendance if:

• their child is absent OR learning from home on a scheduled in-building day; or
• their child is absent on a scheduled online day.

Greenwood will follow up with all individuals to determine the reason for any unplanned absences. If the absence is due to illness, symptoms will be recorded and the student/staff member will be encouraged to seek medical advice and/or COVID-19 testing.

Any student who becomes ill at school will go to the Nursing Station for assessment. The student will wait in isolation, supervised, until a parent/guardian arrives to pick them up.

Greenwood’s School Nurse will maintain, update and communicate illness protocols to all parents/guardians and students to reflect public health guidelines and any changes in practice related to COVID-19.

Our School Nurse is Hannah Dawson, RN. Please feel free to reach out to Hannah with questions or concerns about COVID-19 protocols at Greenwood or other health inquiries.

All students and staff must wear a mask or face covering (covering the mouth and nose) while inside the school building and outside when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Students and staff may also wish to consider face shields in addition to masks.

Masks may be removed to eat or drink, but must be replaced immediately afterwards. Hands should be washed or sanitized before and after mask removal.

• Two layers should be made of tightly woven fabric, such as cotton or linen
• The third (middle) layer should be a filter-type fabric, such as non-woven polypropylene

Toronto Public Health recommends that non-medical masks are washed after every use. Students may consider having a mask for each day they will be in the school building to reduce laundry requirements.

Supervised "mask breaks" are built into the school day to allow students to go outside and remove their masks while practicing physical distancing.

Students and staff are encouraged to wash and/or sanitize their hands several times a day, including upon entering the building, before and after eating, before and after mask removal and after using the washroom.

Hand sanitizer is available at all entrances and in all classrooms and common spaces. Portable sinks/handwashing stations have been placed around the building on each level. Students may also wish to bring their own personal hand sanitizer and/or disinfecting wipes to school. 

Signage has been placed in all washrooms outlining proper hand washing.

Extensive signage throughout the building reminds students and staff of healthy behaviours, including:

• physical distancing;
• frequent hand washing;
• respiratory etiquette; and
• proper use of cloth masks.

Greenwood adheres to provincial guidelines regarding the maximum number of people in any space. No large group gatherings are held; events such as assemblies are held virtually. The use of shared spaces (e.g. the Lodge, Learning Commons) is minimized and staggered.

Students and staff are advised to avoid physical greetings such as handshakes, fist bumps and hugging.

For students in Grades 9-12, seating has been arranged to allow for physical spacing of two metres as per Ministry of Education guidelines. This is not a requirement for Grade 7-8 students; however, we have been sure to allow as much space as possible between students when seated.

Routes throughout the school have been designated and promoted with visual cues to control the flow of foot traffic and maintain physical spacing of two metres. 

• All west staircases are “up only”. All east staircases are “down only”.
• Arrows and lines on the floor indicate the direction of travel throughout the building.

Student mental health and well-being is an important element of the return to school. Supports for student mental health and well-being include the following:

• professional learning for Greenwood staff to support re-entry to school, as well as support students throughout the school year;
• mental health supports delivered through the Adviser program; and
• additional counselling and support through our Social Worker, who can also make referrals and guide students and families to access local resources.

Greenwood’s Director, Student Well-being will ensure that we augment our social-emotional wellness programs to address a potential increase in student anxiety, stress, and emotional response to COVID-19 and the changing learning environment and health protocols. Our School Nurse will also be available as a source of support for students as needed.

Greenwood ensures that all staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and understand the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Staff members are trained to ensure they are aware of and can implement COVID-19-related policies and procedures.

In-person learning is voluntary and based on parent choice. Online learning is available for families who choose not to send their child to school in person. 

This option will be in place for as long as public health circumstances require adapted delivery of education.

The following models are in place for the 2020-2021 school year:

• Grade 7-8 students: Normal school day routine with cohorting and enhanced health protocols (in the building 5 days/week)
• Grade 9-12 students: Hybrid model with cohorting and enhanced public health protocols (in the building 2-3 days/ week)

Grade 9-12 students have been divided into two cohorts (Cohort A and Cohort B), with approximately half of each grade (around 45 students per grade) in each cohort. 

Each day, one cohort is in the school building while the other participates in online classes synchronously. This model greatly decreases the density of students in the building, which is critical in minimizing the possibility of COVID- 19 transmission. 

Siblings have been placed in the same cohort. 

Grade 9-12 Cohort Schedule

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri
Week A	Cohort A  At school Cohort B Online	Cohort B At school Cohort A Online	Cohort A  At school Cohort B Online	Cohort B At school Cohort A Online	Cohort A  At school Cohort B Online
Week B	Cohort B At school Cohort A Online	Cohort A  At school Cohort B Online	Cohort B At school Cohort A Online	Cohort A  At school Cohort B Online	Cohort B At school Cohort A Online

Greenwood has taken a semestered approach to timetabling for 2020-2021. Advantages of a semestered timetable in the current learning environment include:

• minimizing direct and indirect contacts for both students and staff; and
• creating a more manageable schedule for students participating in online synchronous learning.

Each student has four subjects timetabled per semester. 

Our Adviser program is a key support for student growth, well-being and community. As such, students have scheduled contact with their Adviser all year, either through their Adviser course or Adviser sessions.

In an online synchronous learning model, courses are delivered both in person and online simultaneously by the same teacher(s). Teachers can see, hear and respond to the students participating online via web conferencing, and students can see all of their teachers and classmates. 

The goal of this model is to deliver equivalent learning experiences whether a student is in the classroom or at home. This model also ensures that students who choose to learn from home, or who have to remain home for health reasons, can interact with their teachers and classmates in real time.

We have ensured that our teachers and our classrooms have the technology needed to support this model, including:

• Wireless headsets (assigned to individual teachers for hygiene purposes)
• Document cameras, which allow teachers to present objects to students in person and remotely at the same time
• Web conferencing enhancements
• Webcams
• Fully licensed online apps

Greenwood’s timetable cohorts students as much as possible to limit the number of direct and indirect student-to-student contacts. The Ministry of Education requires that these contacts should number no more than 100 for any student or staff member.

Students have been placed into cohorts based on the following considerations:

• ensuring that students receive their choice of courses and/or academic options;
• minimizing contacts; and
• keeping siblings in the same cohort.

Grade 7 and 8 students have been placed into pods of 15-20 students. While we have done our best to cap pods at 15 students, pods of up to 20 may be necessary to ensure we deliver the personalized options and learning supports each student needs.

• A student's pod is also their Adviser group.
• Students stay with the same pod for most of their courses.
• Some mixing between pods is required to accommodate academic options in these grade levels (e.g. core & reach-ahead math or French). In these cases, students from different pods stay in separate halves of the classroom. A visual cue (such as a line on the floor) ensures that the students know where to stay within the room in order to maintain the sub-grouping.
• Although classes are semestered, Grade 7 -8 students have English and math all year. Students have full-length math and English classes in one semester and shorter classes in these subjects in the opposite semester.

Grade 9-12 classes are capped at 15 students. Classes have been created so that there is minimal mixing between various groups of students. Students are taking courses of their choice with specialist teachers, with movement and blending of classes kept to a minimum.

Ideally, students will have 3-4 classes in a semester with the same students. This means that students will be directly and indirectly in classroom contact with no more than 30-50 students in a semester.

Drop off and dismissal times for all students have been staggered to allow for physical distancing. See Drop Off and Pick Up for more details.

Breaks, lunch times and dismissal times have also been staggered to allow for physical distancing. (See Bell Schedules for details.) This staggering will also allow our cleaning staff to access all classrooms for cleaning and sanitization.

Drop off/pick up times for all students have been staggered and will be distributed among our four entrances to allow for physical distancing. Students should plan to arrive at school at the following times:

• Grades 7-9: 8-8:25 a.m.
• Grades 10-12: 8:15-8:40 a.m.

All students have been assigned a specific entrance door based on their grade levels. This information was shared with parents via email.

Siblings should be dropped off at the earliest drop-off time (e.g. if you have a child in Grade 7 and a child in Grade 10, please plan to drop them both off from 8-8:25 a.m.)

Parents driving their children to school are encouraged to drop off/pick up a block or two from the school, rather than directly in front of the building, to allow for physical distancing. Please do not park or drop students off in the Private or Public laneway (behind the school) or block the entrance/exit on Balliol Street or Davisville Avenue.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have cancelled Grade 7 & 8 vocal music this year. We plan to reinstate this program next year.

Both Grade 7 and 8 students will rotate through four arts during the year. These include visual arts, media, drama and instrumental music. The Grade 8 media course will also incorporate design technology.

Grade 7 & 8 instrumental music will focus on percussion, strings (ukulele), composition and music appreciation. Students may borrow a ukulele from the school during the weeks that they are taking music class. If a student would prefer to use their own ukulele, they should plan to bring this to school on the days they have music. Ukuleles will not be shared between students.

Some classrooms and spaces have been renovated to support cohorting and physical distancing. In addition, we have made the following changes throughout the building.

• Tables reconfigured to allow for more space between students
• Hand sanitizer placed at all entrances to the building, in all classrooms and in common areas
• Doors (except fire doors) propped open where possible to minimize handling and increase air flow
• Non-essential items/items that cannot be easily cleaned removed and stored
• Extensive signage supporting way-finding, physical distancing and proper hand hygiene placed throughout the building

Classrooms and common areas will be cleaned at least twice per day. We are dedicated to exceeding this standard whenever possible and have hired additional cleaning staff to do so. High-touch surfaces (washrooms, doorknobs, light switches etc.) will be cleaned several times throughout the day.

An electrostatic sprayer using an approved bleach alternative will be used nightly to disinfect classrooms and common areas. Shared objects will be limited and cleaned between uses.

Students may wish to have their own disinfecting wipes to wipe down surfaces as an additional precaution.

Our ventilation infrastructure has been recently upgraded and updated in conjunction with our renovation and expansion.

Our high-quality air filters are replaced quarterly. Our three make-up air units are in excellent working order; one unit is brand new for the 2020-2021 school year. These units replace air exhausted by the building by conditioning fresh air.

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are highly effective at catching particles much smaller than the average virus. For this reason, we are adding HEPA filters to our classrooms to provide an added layer of filtration and protection for staff and students, who will spend most of their time in school in a classroom.

We have confirmed that our HVAC system is balanced with the appropriate ratio of fresh air.

Greenwood’s Food Services provider, Chartwells, has implemented several additional safety measures in their food preparation process. These measures are outlined below.

• All staff are required to complete additional training covering sanitization, proper use of PPE and COVID safety. Training also includes heightened disinfection logs and how to safely receive vendor deliveries.
• All food items are in disposable packaging.
• Tables and chairs in the Lodge are sanitized throughout the day.
• Chartwells staff delivering meals to eating areas sanitize their hands frequently.

Wearing clothes that are easy to clean is an important part of keeping our community safe and healthy. With this in mind, Greenwood’s dress code for 2020-2021 has been relaxed significantly. The adjusted dress code offers more options and greater flexibility and emphasizes clothing that is easily washable.
 
The dress code for all students includes the following items. All clothing should be washed regularly.

• Any Greenwood-branded top. This includes uniform shirts, Grizzlies athletic wear, spirit wear (e.g. sweatshirts purchased at WinterGreen) and grad hoodies.
• Beige pants, shorts or skirt. Pants and shorts should have belt loops and should not have drawstrings. Pants should not have elasticized bottoms.
• Dark brown or black belt (with pants and shorts).
• Navy socks or tights.
• Black or brown closed-toe and heel-covered shoes (e.g. dress shoes, athletic shoes, deck shoes, Blundstones).

Students engaging in online synchronous learning must wear a Greenwood-branded top of their choice (anything from the list above is acceptable). Other uniform items are not required. As in the school building, hats should be removed during class time.

Students may wear their full Health and Physical Education (HPE) uniform to school on the days they have this class. This will minimize changeroom use. Sweatpants or track pants of any colour may be worn over shorts on cold days. HPE uniforms should be washed after every use.
 
All uniform items should continue to be labelled with your child(ren)’s name(s).
 
Some gently used uniform items are available through the Roundtable Uniform and Textbook Exchange on Facebook. This group is open to all current Greenwood parents and guardians. Please feel free to join if you are not already a member.
 
Greenwood may opt to return to the regular school uniform later in the year, dependent on public health circumstances. We will provide families with ample notice in this case.

All students have been provided with a locker space where they may store their coats, hats, gloves and boots during the school day. Lockers have been assigned by grade/cohort and locks are not used. Students may only access their lockers at specific times; please encourage your child to pack lightly as they are expected to carry their classroom supplies, lunch and other personal items with them.

Most students are in the same room throughout the school day to minimize movement through the school.

Students should bring only the personal belongings necessary for the school day with them.

Meal Plan and Food Service

Greenwood’s food service provider, Chartwells, offers an optional meal plan for all students.

• Fruit (1 piece)
• Baked good (1 item)
• Main including 2 sides (Vegetarian option available)
• Snack (1 item)
• Water (2 bottles)

Students may opt in to the meal plan at any time here. This form must be completed by 5 p.m. on Tuesday to begin receiving meals the following week. For example, if your child opts in by Tuesday, February 16, they will receive their first meal on Monday, February 22.

A limited number of grab-and-go food items are also available for purchase daily.

Bringing Food From Home

Students not registered for the meal plan are asked to bring a bagged lunch and snacks from home to avoid trips into the community to purchase food. Please note that all food items must be nut-free. 

Lunches brought from home should not require reheating. Microwaves are not available, as these are very high-touch surfaces.

All students must have their own refillable water bottle, which they may refill from our hydration stations. Drinking fountains are not available.

Physical Distancing and Getting Outside

Each grade has a designated lunch area to distribute students throughout the school. Students follow physical distancing and cohorting protocols during lunch and break periods. Outdoor locations are available for eating in fair weather.

In keeping with the recommendation that students spend time outside during the school day, students in Grades 10-12 have the opportunity to leave campus during breaks/lunchtime at the discretion of their parents/guardians. While off campus, students are asked to remain with no more than 2-3 members of their cohort OR with students that their family has designated as members of their bubble (e.g. carpool group, walking/biking group). We ask that families establish these small carpool/walking/biking groups as needed (no more than 4 students per group).

Classroom protocols and practices have changed in order to adhere to health and safety guidelines. However, Greenwood teachers remain committed to providing a personalized learning environment to, and building a strong relationship with, every student.

Some changes include:

• demo-only science labs (to avoid handling of materials);
• greater collaboration using technology, to allow students to maintain a safe distance as they work together (see Technology Requirements); and
• greater space between chairs and desks.

Greenwood currently offers a number of co-curricular activities with student and staff safety in mind. Details on these activities are available below.

Athletics

Greenwood offers both morning and afternoon intramural athletics programs.  
Outlined below are the specific measures we are taking to preserve the health and safety of our students and staff while offering these important opportunities for physical activity and social interaction.

• Physical distancing maintained throughout the program.
• Equipment sanitization before and after use.
• Hand sanitization before and after all activities.
• Activities offered by grade level and cohort to minimize contacts.
• Masks required for all activities taking place inside the building.
• Attendance tracked for all sessions to allow for accurate and efficient contact tracing.

Clubs

We currently offer a number of online clubs, including Science @ Home and both Boys' and Girls' Groups.

Arts

Greenwood is producing a series of six grade-specific plays throughout the year. Casting for the plays began in late October. Each play will be produced by a teacher-director and performed live in a unique virtual environment.

Service Learning

As our in-person service initiatives cannot run due to COVID-19 safety precautions, the service learning program has shifted to in-school opportunities for students to build empathy, deepen their awareness of social justice issues and gain a greater understanding of equity and inclusion. These include letter-writing initiatives, clothing drives, and food drives to support Greenwood's service learning partners. 

Our Grade 9 students are also participating in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative. This program connects high school students to social issues, local charities and philanthropy through a hands-on project.

We recognize that regular outside time is critical to mental and emotional health, and that being outside greatly reduces the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. We plan to give students as many opportunities as possible to get outside during the school day in fair weather. These include:

• lunch (in supervised areas);
• Health and Physical Education classes;
• Adviser classes; and
• Daily Physical Activity (Grade 7-8 students).

Teachers will also take students for outdoor "mask breaks" throughout the day as needed. Physical distancing is maintained during these breaks.

In addition to a laptop or learning device, there are two technology requirements for students this year.

• Students taking math and/or science must have access to a printer at home. This will support online learning.
• All students must have an electronic pen input or touchscreen (on a laptop or auxiliary device) for safe collaboration.

Using pen-input devices and/or their touchscreens, students will be able to collaborate with their teachers and each other from a safe distance using shared screens. Students will require pen-input or touchscreen ability when they are in class in the school building and when engaging in online lessons from home. 

All Greenwood-issued laptops have touchscreen ability and a stylus. Students can write using their fingers or styli on their computer screens. If a student has a Greenwood-issued laptop, no additional device is needed to meet this technology requirement. 

Smartphones cannot be used for the pen-input/touchscreen requirement. Phones should not be out in class and phone screens are small, so phones are not a viable option.

Some students going into Grade 8 or Grade 10 might have a different Adviser from last year. These Adviser assignments have been changed to limit mixing of students between classes and thus minimize student contacts.

If a student has changed Advisers, their past Adviser and their current Adviser will be in close contact to ensure that the student’s needs are clearly communicated and addressed.

All Outdoor Education trips were cancelled for September 2020 and Winter 2021. We have rescheduled our Fall Outdoor Education Week to June 2021, if circumstances allow. We are also planning for various urban activities to build relationships and community.