Return to School Plan 2021-2022

School Organization & Timetabling

List of 7 items.

In-Building Attendance

Online learning will be available for families who need this option. The online learning option will be in place for as long as public health circumstances require adapted delivery of education.

Families who are unable to fulfil the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement by October 15 and who have not obtained an exemption will be required to move to online learning at that time.
Semestered Timetabling

Greenwood will take a semestered approach to timetabling for 2021-2022. Semestered timetabling minimizes direct and indirect contacts for both students and staff.

Each student will have four subjects timetabled per semester.

Our Adviser program is a key support for student growth, well-being and community. As such, students will have scheduled contact with their Adviser all year, either through their Adviser course or Adviser sessions.
Classes & Contacts
Students have been scheduled into classes with the goal of minimizing their number of contacts as much as possible while maintaining the school experience. Grade groups at Greenwood are around 100 students or less, and we will consider an entire grade level a single group which can interact. We are hoping that students will be able to interact with others in their grade in a way more similar to a typical school year.

Grade 7 and 8 students have been placed into class groupings of 15-20 students.
- Students will stay with the same class grouping for most of their courses.
- Some mixing between class groupings is required to accommodate academic options in these grade levels (e.g. core & reach-ahead math or French).
- Although classes are semestered, Grade 7 and 8 students will have English and math all year. Students will have full-length math and English classes in one semester and shorter classes in these subjects in the opposite semester.
Grade 9-12 students have been placed in classes primarily consisting of other students from their grade level or with a common course load. This scheduling, along with students having only 4 classes per semester, will limit student and staff contacts.

Students will have an opportunity to socialize with others in their grade level outside of class time (e.g. during lunch).

As a contingency only, students have been assigned to cohorts for the 2021-2022 school year. These cohorts allow the school to move to alternating in-person and online days only if directed that we must do so by Toronto Public Health or the Ontario government. We do not anticipate needing to move to an alternating schedule.
Bell Schedules & Staggered Scheduling

Class timing will be staggered again in 2021-2022. Grade 7-8 students will follow one bell schedule, while Grade 9-12 students will follow another.

Staggering will limit congestion in common spaces (e.g. hallways, Lodge) and allow for a smooth flow of students during morning arrival. Breaks, lunch periods, arrival times and dismissal times have also been staggered to allow for physical distancing. See “Student Arrival” for more details.

The bell schedules for 2021-2022 provide more consistent period lengths and a longer lunch than the 2020-2021 schedules. The longer lunch period and slightly longer period 1 will create time for pairs of grades to gather for a short assembly. A longer lunch period will also allow Grade 9-12 students to leave campus for lunch if they choose and for Grade 7 and 8 students to have recess; during recess time, these students will have access to the gym, outdoor space in fair weather, and designated classrooms for social and recreation time.

View the full bell schedules for Grade 7-8 and 9-12 students here. Should updates to the schedule be required during the school year, these will be reflected on the linked document.
Student Arrival
Student arrival times will continue to be staggered to allow for physical distancing. Arrival windows are as follows:
- Grades 7-8:
  - 8-8:20 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
  - 9:45-10:05 a.m. on Wednesday
- Grades 9-12:
  - 8:15-8:40 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
  - 10-10:15 a.m. on Wednesday
Siblings sharing transportation should plan to arrive during the earlier window (e.g. if one sibling is in Grade 7 and the other is in Grade 10, they should plan to arrive between 8-8:20 a.m.).

All students may use either of the front doors (north or south) when entering the building; the southeast door located near the bike racks may also be used and may be more convenient for students who bike or walk to school. Any door may be used to exit the building.

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.
Grade 7/8 Arts Program

We are pleased to confirm that we can provide Grade 7 and 8 students with their selected Arts electives for 2021-2022, including instrumental music and vocal music (see “Music” for more information.)

Because we are considering each grade to be a single group which can interact, we have been able to schedule students into their Arts electives for Grade 7 and 8. Students will be mostly with other students from their class groupings in their Arts courses, in addition to some students from different class groupings.

Grade 7 and 8 students can find an updated version of their course enrollments, which includes their Arts Course Enrollments, through the Files & Forms page within the school’s website. The enrollments will be listed in a document titled “2021-22 Course Enrollment Review (August).” If a student has questions about or would like to change their Arts selections, please contact Heather Thomas, Vice-Principal, Deputy Head of School at heather.thomas@greenwoodcollege.org.
Online Learning
Online learning will be available this year to students who need this option.

Online learning will be delivered using a synchronous learning model. In this 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 their teachers and often their classmates as well.

The goal of this model is to deliver a robust learning experience for students learning virtually from home. This model allows students who have to remain home for health reasons to be able to 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
Asynchronous learning, when students learning remotely may be working offline, will be used at times when it is considered to be the best approach for the student.

Student Experience

List of 12 items.

Dress Code

The dress code is a daily expression of community respect, togetherness and student professionalism. At Greenwood, it is a visible expression of school pride. Greenwood is exceptionally proud of the variety of items that students can choose to wear in order to ensure a comfortable learning environment.

This year, Greenwood will return to the use of approved school dress code items. A list of approved dress code items can be found here.

Uniform items can be ordered using the Top Marks Ordering Package. For assistance in ordering these items, please contact Top Marks directly at info@topmarks.ca or 1 800 667 7105.

Families are requested to ensure that their child’s school uniform is complete, clearly labeled, clean, and in good repair at all times. It is important to ensure that students have a sufficient number of uniform items to allow for cleaning/laundry. Parents/guardians will be contacted if there is a concern related to their child’s uniform. Students who fail to observe the school dress code will be coached towards an understanding of the importance of Greenwood’s dress code through a series of learning tasks. Students who repeatedly contravene the school dress code will be subject to further consequences as deemed appropriate by the school.

Throughout the school year, there will be various First Dress and Dress Down days. Students should expect to wear First Dress approximately once a month. Dress Down days will occur in association with various school spirit events, special events or fundraisers. Both First Dress and Dress Down days will be communicated to families and students in advance through Week @ A Glance and school announcements.

All students taking Health and Physical Education should also have a Physical Education uniform (t-shirt and shorts). This uniform may be worn for physical education classes only. Changerooms will be available and monitored for safe use before and after class.

Further information about the uniform expectations can be found in the Greenwood Family Handbook.

For questions regarding specific uniform items, please contact Anthony Costa, Dean of Students, at anthony.costa@greenwoodcollege.org.

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/guardians. Feel free to join if you are not already a member.
Swipe Cards
All students' swipe cards will be fully enabled this year. Using their cards, students can:
- access the building's exterior doors;
- use student photocopiers/printers as needed;
- purchase food and drink items; and
- make purchases and pick up items ordered online at the School Store.
All purchases made using swipe cards will be charged to students' accounts.
Washrooms

All student washrooms may be used by all students in any grade. Washroom occupancy will be limited, with signs posted indicating the number of students who can safely use it at one time.
Lockers

Exciting news! All students will have a locker assigned to them this year.

Lockers have been assigned by Adviser groups, which means there will be plenty of familiar friendly faces nearby to socialize with safely.

On the first day of school, students will find out their locker locations, receive their locks from their Advisers and have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with their locker spaces.
Lunch and Food Service

Food Service

Greenwood’s food service provider, Chartwells, will offer grab-and-go items for purchase before school and at lunch for all students starting on Thursday, September 9. Chartwells will phase in additional items, including hot meals, as we progress through the year. All purchases are made using student cards and purchases are charged to students’ accounts.

Bringing Food From Home

Students may bring a bagged lunch and snacks from home. Please note that all food items must be nut-free. Microwaves will be available.

All students are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottle, which they may refill from our hydration stations.

Physical Distancing and Getting Outside

Each grade will have a designated eating area to distribute students throughout the school. Students will follow physical distancing protocols during lunch and break periods.

In keeping with the recommendation that students spend time outside during the school day, students in Grades 9-12 will have the opportunity to leave campus for lunch at the discretion of their parents/guardians. Students in Grades 7-8 will have recess, including the opportunity for supervised time outside in fair weather.

We will be adding more seating to the Grad Lounge. Only Grade 12 students may eat in the Grad Lounge and they should eat at the tables in order to remain physically distanced while not wearing masks.
Classroom Experience
Classroom protocols and practices will continue to be adjusted in order to adhere to health and safety guidelines. Greenwood teachers remain committed to providing a personalized learning environment to, and building a strong relationship with, every student. Some ongoing adjustments students will notice include the following.
- Science labs: Students will complete full lab activities in science classes this year. Teachers will ensure that students sanitize their hands before and after using shared equipment. Shared equipment will also receive additional cleaning between uses.
- We will continue to focus on collaboration using technology to allow students to maintain a safe distance as they work together (see "Technology Requirements to Support Student Learning").
- We will continue to emphasize collaboration between students.
Music
Both Greenwood as a whole and its music teachers will ensure that students participating in either of the music programs are following the safety protocols set out by the government for singing and playing wind instruments. We will also arrange for additional cleaning and safety steps to be put in place. These include the following precautions.
- Vocal students will be required to wear masks and remain 2m apart while singing.
- Instrumental music students will be required to remain 2m apart while playing.
- When possible, the school will provide instrumental music students with a mask to fit over the instrument openings; this creates a seal at the student’s face, limiting spray when playing.
- Additional HEPA filters will be located in the music room.
- Instrumental music and vocal classes will take place outdoors whenever possible.
Co-Curriculars

As per Ministry of Education guidelines, co-curricular activities are permitted and we expect to be able to offer a more fulsome extracurricular program, with increased opportunities for students to participate in person in athletics, arts, clubs and service learning. All activities will be carefully planned to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.

You can expect further information regarding the co-curricular program in the coming weeks.
Technology Requirements to Support Student Learning
While all students can be in the building every day this year, we want to ensure that students are prepared to learn from home should the government require us to move online. We also want to help students minimize their close contact with others in the building.
With that in mind, we ask that all students taking math and/or science have the following technology in place to support their learning.

At-Home Printer

Students should have the ability to print from home. This will allow them to print assignments, worksheets, and tests so that they can seamlessly learn from home if required.

Microsoft OneNote

The school will provide Microsoft OneNote licenses to all students. OneNote gives students and teachers the ability to write electronically directly on a document. While all students will have the option to install OneNote, only students taking math and/or science will use OneNote frequently in class.

OneNote allows students to capture handwritten work by:
- taking photos using the OneNote App on a mobile device (e.g. iOS or Android phone); or
- using an optional pen-input device to draw digitally in the OneNote app.
Students will learn how to use OneNote in September. This training will cover both methods of capturing their work in a digital workbook.

To use OneNote, your child will need ONE of the following:
1. A mobile device with a camera (an iPhone or iPad with iOS 13.0 or later, or an Android device with Android OS 5.0 or later). This option is for students who complete work on paper and then attach a photo of their work to a OneNote document.
2. An electronic stylus for use with either a laptop or an iPad, OR a touchscreen. This option is for students who will complete their handwritten work electronically.
Suggestions for the Paperless Option (Using a Stylus)

The list below is not exhaustive as there are many pen-input technologies available. The devices listed below were all used with success by Greenwood students last year. Your child is encouraged to choose an option that is comfortable for them as each option works differently, varies in cost, and has slightly different requirements.

Greenwood-Issued Laptop
All Greenwood-issued laptops have touchscreen ability and a stylus. No additional devices or accessories are needed if a student has a Greenwood-issued laptop.

BYOD with Touchscreen Ability OR iPad
If a student uses their own laptop device (BYOD), and the laptop has touchscreen ability, then they will not need anything supplemental to collaborate safely online and in class. A compatible stylus is recommended with this option.

*Note: MacBooks do not have touchscreen ability, but the addition of an iPad (with iOS 13.0 or greater) with a stylus (e.g. Apple Pencil, Logitech Crayon) can work. Students cannot use only an iPad for their learning at Greenwood; students who choose to use an iPad as their touch-screen device must also have a laptop. The laptop would be used for all parts of the lesson, including data processing, typing, and editing, while the iPad would be used for pen-input activities completed in class.

BYOD with a USB Stylus Attachment
Pen-input devices which connect to a USB port on a student's computer can be used to augment laptops without touchscreen/pen-input ability.

Recommended options include:
1. HUION Tablet (H430P) ($44)
2. Wacom Intuos Small ($80 Wireless Version)
3. Huion HS64 ($60)
Smartphones cannot be used for the pen-input / touchscreen requirement. Phones should not be out in class and phone screens are not large enough to be used for this purpose.

Questions?

Contact Jonathan Tepper, Executive Director, Information & Learning Technology.
Adviser

Our Adviser program will continue to be an integral part of the Greenwood experience. No adjustments have been made to the program or to the support Advisers provide to their advisees. During the semester when students do not have their Adviser course, they will have Adviser sessions scheduled into their timetables.

Students entering Grade 9 or 11 will move to new Advisers this year. These new Advisers are experts in working with advisees at those particular ages and stages.

Some students entering Grade 8, 10, or 12 may also have a new Adviser this year. We have done our best to minimize Adviser changes for students entering these grades; however, some changes were necessary due to parental leaves, shifting of leadership roles within the school, and the requirement that we minimize student contacts during the school day.

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.
Outdoor Education and Field Trips
At this time, we are planning for a return to a full Outdoor Education program this coming Winter, with the trips that would typically take place this Fall scheduled for the Spring of 2022.
This Fall, all grades will attend a one-day Outdoor Education experience specifically designed to build community and promote the measured reintegration of Outdoor Education for our students. Conditions permitting, some senior grades may have the opportunity for an overnight experience. All Outdoor Education trips are dependent upon many factors, not least those related to COVID-19, and are subject to change.

The following Outdoor Education dates have been tentatively booked and will be confirmed with further details closer to the departure dates. Please note that the Winter Outdoor Education experiences are scheduled for late January to allow some time between travelling/family gatherings over the Winter Break and students sharing accommodations.

Fall Outdoor Education
- Grades 7-10 > October 4-7 (day trips)
  Grades 11 & 12 > TBD (potential 1-night overnight trips)
Winter Outdoor Education
- Week of January 24 OR Week of January 31 (dependent on grade and trip)
Spring Outdoor Education (trips typically completed in the Fall)
- June 4-14 (differing length of trips/dates for different grades)
Similarly, as per Ministry guidelines, field trips are permitted. All field trips will be carefully planned to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.

You can expect further information regarding Outdoor Education in the coming weeks.
Outside Time
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/recess (in supervised areas);
- Health and Physical Education classes;
- Adviser classes; and
- Daily Physical Activity (Grade 7-8 students)

Health and Safety Measures

List of 17 items.

Vaccination Policy

Vaccination with a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for all of those intending to be on campus in 2021-2022. This includes all staff and students born in 2009 or earlier.

Submitting Proof of Vaccination

Eligible staff and students must submit proof of vaccination when they have received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. If your child has already received their second dose and you have not yet submitted their proof of vaccination, please do no later than Wednesday, September 1. You can email your child’s vaccination receipt in strict confidence to our School Nurse, Hannah Dawson, at hannah.dawson@greenwoodcollege.org.

We understand that some students may be unable to meet the September 1 deadline due to circumstance (e.g. students with late 2009 birthdays who just became eligible for the vaccine). Unvaccinated students and staff are required to participate in our Rapid Antigen Screening Program (see below for more information).

The final deadline to submit proof of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine is Friday, October 15.

Applications for Exemption

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, our policy allows for applications for exemption for medical reasons and/or reasons of religion/creed.

Rapid Antigen Screening Program

We are introducing a Rapid Antigen Screening Program at Greenwood this year. This program further protects our community by detecting asymptomatic and presymptomatic COVID-19 infections, preventing further spread.

We encourage all Greenwood staff and students to participate in this program, regardless of vaccination status. Widespread participation provides an even greater degree of protection against exposure for our community. However, participation in this program will be required for any students and staff members who have not submitted proof of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine by September 1, 2021.

If your child will be fully vaccinated after September 1, please send their proof of vaccination as soon as you receive it. Fourteen days after their second dose, your child is considered fully vaccinated and continuing with the Rapid Antigen Screening Program will be optional. To learn more about the screening program, join us for a Google Meet information session on Thursday, August 26 at 9 a.m.

Online Learning

Online learning will be available throughout the school year for students who need this option. Families who are unable to fulfil the vaccination requirement by October 15 and who have not obtained an exemption will be required to move to online learning at that time.
Daily COVID-19 Screening

Students are responsible for completing a self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms daily and staying home if they are symptomatic or feeling unwell. Parents/guardians should also review the self-screening tool with their children and monitor them for symptoms.

Details of the self-screening process will be sent to all students and their parents/guardians prior to Registration Day. Students will be asked to confirm screening completion before they enter the school each day.

Staff will conduct self-screenings prior to entering the building. Staff must also stay home if they are symptomatic or feeling unwell.

Students may enter through either of the front doors or the rear door closest to the bike racks.

Essential visitors will be required to provide proof of vaccination in advance of their visit and complete a screening form prior to entry. See “Visitors” for more information.

Comprehensive records of essential visitors will be maintained.
Rapid Antigen Screening Program

Greenwood has partnered with CDL Rapid Screening Consortium to create a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Screening (RAS) pilot program for students and staff members. This document addresses the student testing program.

Rapid antigen testing is an at-home point-of-care test that detects viral proteins (antigens) expressed by the COVID-19 virus. The goal of this program is to increase the detection of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections and reduce transmission of COVID-19, providing an extra layer of protection against exposure for Greenwood staff and students.

We encourage all Greenwood staff and students to participate in this program, regardless of vaccination status. Widespread participation provides an even greater degree of protection against exposure for Greenwood staff and students. However, participation in this program will be required for any students who have not submitted proof of vaccination by September 1, 2021.

Learn more about the program.
Symptomatic COVID-19 Testing

Greenwood will have point-of care molecular testing capabilities starting in the fall. Students will be eligible to be tested, with parental permission, if they are symptomatic or a close contact to a positive case.

Testing and reports will be conducted based on the Ministry of Health Testing Guidance. Greenwood will use ID NOW testing devices provided by Ontario Health. The ID NOW COVID-19 test is a rapid molecular test that detects COVID-19 in 15 minutes or less.

Learn more about symptomatic testing at Greenwood.
Visitors

Greenwood will continue to limit visitor access to the school to safeguard the well-being of our students and staff. We will also continue to leverage technology in order to build community with, and between, our families.

Approved visitors to Greenwood will be required to provide proof of vaccination in advance of their visit and complete a screening form prior to entry. Visitors must wear medical masks while in the school building; medical masks will be provided by the school if needed. In addition to the requirement for visitors to perform self-screening, Greenwood will confirm that the screening has been completed prior to or upon their arrival at school.
Attendance

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.

Attendance records will be monitored for patterns or trends (e.g. students in the same group or cohort absent at the same time).
Response Protocol for Suspected COVID-19

Any student experiencing COVID-19 symptoms at school will be immediately separated from others in the Nurse’s Station. With parent/guardian consent, Rapid Molecular COVID-19 testing can be administered by our school nurse. A parent/guardian will be asked to pick the student up as soon as possible, as the student must go home regardless of the test result.

Any staff member experiencing symptoms will leave the school as soon as possible.

Symptomatic students and those supervising them will wear medical masks. The supervising staff member will also wear a face shield and a protective gown. The space and items used by ill students or staff will be cleaned and disinfected.

Greenwood will comply with the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Guidance: School Case, Contact, and Outbreak Management. We anticipate that Toronto Public Health (TPH) may also implement additional measures that are not outlined in this guidance, based on local circumstances and/or TPH investigation and risk assessment.

TPH will provide direction on testing and isolation of close contacts.

Further information will be shared with parents/guardians as directed by TPH.
Testing for COVID-19

Symptomatic students and staff will be referred for testing or assessment by a health care professional. Point-of-Care Molecular (POC NAAT Assays) tests will be available onsite for symptomatic individuals who wish to be tested at the school. All staff and student COVID test results must be shared with the Principal and the school nurse.

Students and staff awaiting test results who are symptomatic or who have been advised to self-isolate by TPH should remain home.

If asymptomatic, individuals who have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID will be required to follow public health guidance based on their vaccination status.
Quarantine/Self-Isolation

Access the most recent Toronto Public Health (TPH) guidelines for self-isolation here.

Symptomatic individuals must stay home, self-isolate and get tested. The TPH decision tree outlines next steps.

Students and staff exposed to a confirmed positive case must follow the guidance outlined by the Ministry of Health based on their vaccination status.

The school nurse will be available on a case-to case basis to assist families in navigating self-isolation and quarantine requirements

Students/staff who are COVID positive cannot return to school until they are cleared by TPH (typically 14 days after symptoms started). Anyone displaying symptoms who tests negative for COVID-19 must remain at home for 24 hours after symptom resolution.

Quarantine may be required after international travel. Access the Government of Canada's most recent travel guidelines here.
Travel

The Government of Canada’s website outlines the latest travel, testing, quarantine and border crossing information.

It is critical that Greenwood families follow the guidance provided by the federal government regarding travel in order to keep our community safe and healthy. Fines and/or penalties may also apply for failing to follow quarantine rules or other government instructions when re-entering the country.

The Ontario government may also issue inter- and intra-provincial travel advisories. You can access the latest information here.

Students will be required to adhere to the Toronto Public Health school screening tool when returning to school after international travel.
Nurse's Station

Any student who becomes ill at school will go to the Nurse’s 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.
Masks
All students must wear a properly fitted mask (medical or cloth) while inside the school building. Staff are required to wear medical masks.

Masks are not required outside.

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.

We recommend that students using cloth masks wear three-layer masks:
- 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
See Public Health Ontario’s Non-Medical Mask Q&A for more information on non-medical masks, including the scientific evidence for 3-ply masks.

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.
Hand Hygiene

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 are located 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.
Signage
Extensive signage throughout the building reminds students and staff of healthy behaviours, including:
- physical distancing;
- frequent hand washing;
- respiratory etiquette; and
- proper use of masks.
Physical Distancing
Greenwood will adhere to provincial guidelines regarding the maximum number of people in any space and physical distancing will be routinely encouraged. Under the current provincial guidelines, we are permitted to hold in-person assemblies in our gym at half capacity and we look forward to holding smaller gatherings and grade-level assemblies in the fall.

The use of shared spaces (e.g. the Lodge, Learning Commons) will be staggered and monitored to ensure that public health guidelines are followed.

Students and staff should not use physical greetings such as handshakes, fist bumps and hugging. We look forward to when we can do this again, but distanced gestures such as waves and “air high-fives” will have to do in the meantime.

Within classrooms, desks have been arranged to face in one direction and class sizes have been limited to allow as much space as possible (minimum 1m) between students when seated.

Routes throughout the school have been designated and will be promoted with visual and verbal cues to control the flow of foot traffic and maintain physical spacing.
- 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.
Mental Health and Well-being
Student mental health and well-being is an important element of the return to school. Supports for student mental health and well-being will 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 continue to ensure that we augment our social-emotional wellness programs to address any 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.

Visit Greenwood’s Resource Board and click on “Mental Health Resources” for links to helpful websites and documents.
Staff Training

Greenwood will ensure 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 will be trained to ensure they are aware of and can implement COVID-19-related policies and procedures.

Staff members are encouraged to download the COVID-19 Alert app.

Facilities

List of 4 items.

Ventilation and Air Flow

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 was brand new last year, and another is brand new for the 2021-2022 school year. These units replace air exhausted by the building by conditioning fresh air.

HEPA filters are highly effective at catching particles much smaller than the average virus. For this reason, we have added HEPA filters to our classrooms and common areas to provide an added layer of filtration and protection for staff and students.

We have confirmed that our HVAC system is balanced with the appropriate ratio of fresh air.
Building Modifications
Some classrooms and spaces have been renovated to support 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
Enhanced Cleaning Protocols

High-touch surfaces (washrooms, doorknobs, light switches etc.) will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

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

Students may also wish to have their own disinfecting wipes to wipe down surfaces as an additional precaution.
Food Safety
Greenwood’s Food Services provider, Chartwells, has implemented 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.
- Tables and chairs in the Lodge are sanitized throughout the day.