Sunnybrook School is celebrating over 65 years of educating boys and girls from JK to Grade Six. Our balanced, enriched program includes the IB PYP, 1:1 iPads, Learning in the Arts, and a dynamic French Program.
SBS Return to School Plan
Sunnybrook School has had a successful start to our second term, in spite of the return to Remote Learning, due to the ongoing pandemic. Our iPad program enabled all our students, beginning in JK, to make the transition to online learning quickly, and with ease. Thanks to our ongoing professional development, our teachers have developed new skills and knowledge to support student learning in these unusual circumstances. Every family has unique challenges with Remote Learning, and we will do everything we can to be flexible and accommodate individual learning needs throughout the term.
When the Ministry allows a return to school, we are well prepared to make the shift. It will be wonderful to return to in person teaching and learning, when the time comes. In the meantime, our goal is to support our students so that they continue to enjoy their learning, and experience a successful year.
Ongoing uncertainty about COVID-19 necessitates a flexible approach to the school year, and therefore we have planned for three possible scenarios. As the pandemic continues, it will be important to adjust according to guidelines from the Ministry of Education and Public Health Toronto. Throughout the school year, we may need to pivot to any one of these three scenarios, (Remote Learning, Blended Learning, Open Campus Learning).
Guiding Principles
These principles guide our planning for return to school
- All planning for the reopening plan is true to the SBS mission; the will to learn, the courage to act, the confidence to succeed
- The physical and emotional safety and health of SBS community members are our top priorities.
- Learning is our core purpose and will drive decision making; face to face learning is preferable to remote learning, wherever possible
- Communication about health and safety as well as about the learning must be clear and timely to ensure all members of the community understand the vision and expectations
- Flexibility and understanding will be essential for all community members as we learn and grow from this experience
- Every member of the school community, staff, parents, and students, share a common responsibility, and is expected to adhere to all policies and guidelines
Three Models
Sunnybrook School will return to the Open Campus Learning Model in September. All students will return to school every day, 5 days a week. The full curriculum will be taught during the Open Campus Learning Model.
Model 1 / Remote Learning
When we are unable to hold in person classes, students will learn remotely under teacher direction, with support from parents when needed, using Zoom and Google Classroom for all grades. Sunnybrook will continue to offer our full IB curriculum and French, Phys. Ed, Music and Library instruction through a variety of digital and non-digital materials and instructional activities to maintain academic growth while on campus learning is suspended.
Model 2 / Blended Learning
- In the blended learning model class groupings of no more than 10 students in a Studio together
- Staggered arrival and dismissal times
- Staggered lunch and playground times to accommodate physical distancing
- JK – GR 2 will attend school daily divided into 2 small cohorts
- GR 3 – 6 will have staggered attendance:
- Cohort A – Week 1 : Monday Wednesday, Friday / Week 2: Tuesday, Thursday
- Cohort B – Week 1: Tuesday, Thursday / Week 2: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- No after care, clubs or teams
- Sunnybrook will continue to offer our IB curriculum and French, Phys. Ed, Music and Library instruction through live lessons and a variety of digital and non-digital materials and instructional activities to maintain academic growth.
Model 3 / Open Campus Learning
- All students in school full time
- Students will remain in grade cohorts
- Physical distancing between adults and students
- Staggered arrival and dismissal times
- Staggered lunch and playground times
- No before care, clubs or teams offered
- Aftercare offered until 5:00 pm: we require a commitment for the full school year, there will be no occasional after care offered.
Cleaning and Disinfecting School
HEALTH AND SAFETY: To ensure the safety of all students and staff we have put several safety measures in place.
- A day time custodian will be hired to regularly clean and disinfect studios, washrooms, kitchen and common areas
- Deep cleaning and disinfection of the premises once a day
- Frequently-touched shared surfaces cleaned and disinfected at least twice a day (e.g. door knobs, light switches, toilet handles, tables, desks, chairs)
- Toys, sports equipment and books will be disinfected according to Ministry standards
- Any surface that is visibly dirty will be cleaned and disinfected during the day
- Garbage and recycling containers emptied daily
- Washrooms will be cleaned at least twice a day
- Water fountains will be disabled
- Hand sanitation stations will be provided
- Each cohort will have an assigned sink and toilet
- The ventilation system will be upgraded
- Air purifiers installed
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
- Maintain physical distance at school
- Avoid close greetings (hugs, high fives)
- Wear a face mask and/or face shield
- Teach students hand washing and sanitizing routine
- Provide breaks to wash hands
- Place desks with as much space in between
- Remove soft supplies and carpets from classroom
- Wash toys daily in Kindergarten
- School will report any suspected or positive COVID cases to public health and to the community
Sunnybrook will return to Open Campus Learning in September
Student cohorts
Students will be together with their own class cohorts in their studios, recess, locker areas and lunch. No two cohorts will mix.
Roles and Responsibilities during Open Campus Model
Teachers Will …
- Maintain physical distance at school
- Avoid close greetings (hugs, high fives)
- Wear a face mask and/or face shield
- Teach students hand washing and sanitizing routine
- Provide breaks to wash hands
- Place desks with as much space in between
- Remove soft supplies and carpets from classroom
- Wash toys daily in Kindergarten
- School will report any suspected or positive COVID cases to public health and to the community
Students Will …
- Maintain distance at school
- Keeps hands to themselves
- Avoid close greetings (hugs, high fives)
- Stay at their designated desk in the studio
- Not share supplies with others at school
- Bring only needed supplies to school ( no stuffies, blankets, toys etc)
- Students in JK – GR – 6 will wear a face mask
- Have designated sink and toilet to use
- Wear their Phys Ed Uniform to school on gym days and not change (GR 1 – 6)
Parents will …
- Maintain physical distance on school property
- Screen children for symptoms before coming to school
- Provide masks for their children
- Maintain ongoing communication with teachers
- Inform school of intent to return to school or to Home Learn
- Not enter school
Masks
- Staff will wear a mask
- All students in JK – GR 6 need to wear a mask indoors
- Masks will be worn in the playground
- A doctors note is needed for exception
Directionality
The school hallways and stairways will be marked with directional arrows to create a one way directional flow.
Recess
Recesses will have staggered times and only two cohorts will be out in the playground at once. The playground will be divided into sections and students will rotate every week.
Lunch
- Sunnybrook will continue to provide lunch as part of the tuition
- Designated teachers will deliver trays, and food to classes
- Only the studio teacher will serve all students
- Surfaces washed before and after lunch
- Hand washing occurs before and after lunch
- Students remove masks for lunch and replace them after the meal
- Students eat lunch at their table spot
- Students will bring their own water bottle
- Garbage cans and recycling bins will be contactless
- Water fountains will be closed
Drop Off and Pick Up
Drop off and pick up will be staggered by last name so that students can be properly screened and temperature taken before entering the school. All students will have a designated door to exit and enter through. Students will line up with their class cohort.
Clubs
Clubs will be offered only virtually at home this term to ensure that no cohorts mix.
After Care
We will provide After Care for students from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Each class cohort will remain together and there will be no mixing of cohorts. Families must commit to the yearly plan and there will be NO drop in occasional aftercare provided.
Uniforms
Students will wear Regular Uniforms on all days. GR 1 – 6 students will wear Dress Uniforms on Tuesdays except if they have Phys Ed that day. GR 1 – 6 will wear their Phys. Ed uniform to school on their designated Gym days and not change at school. The older Phys Ed uniforms will be grandfathered one more year.
A potential or a confirmed COVID-19 case
If there is a potential or confirmed case of COVID in the school, the following will occur:
- Request the student/staff member contact their doctor and receive a test for COVID-19
- The student/staff may return to school after a negative test and symptom free for 24 hours
- The School will contact Public Health for guidance on next steps
- Information will be provided to the school community about a confirmed COVID-19 case
- The exposed cohort will be notified and the school will follow the protocol from Public Health, which may include quarantine of the cohort for a two week period
- The classroom will be shut down while affected areas and equipment are disinfected
Home Learning
We will offer Home Learning to the students who choose not to return to school in September. Students at home will be able to view and participate in daily lessons (Classroom and Specialists) through Zoom and then work independently on assignments posted in Google Classroom
Beginning in JK parents want their children’s school experience to be well rounded, balanced, full of engaging learning. Our curriculum emphasizes strong academics, nourishment of his or her physical and emotional needs as well as active nurturing of creative and social development. A vibrant student life enhances your child’s love of learning. Discover all that Sunnybrook has to offer.