April Break Message

Hello Lyonsgate Families,

As we embark on our new April Break, we have some information and reminders from Lyonsgate, Public Health, and the Ministry of Education.

Possible School Closure

Hamilton schools may be closed by order of Hamilton Public Health during the April 12-16 break period. Hamilton Public Health and the two Hamilton school boards will be meeting on Thursday, April 15, to determine whether schools in Hamilton will return to in-person or remote learning after the break. We will of course let you know if any Lyonsgate campuses are closed.

When we return to school, please remember the following:

Arrival and Dismissal Times

There are strict arrival and dismissal periods for each cohort at the Primary campus. Please adhere to these timeframes to avoid crossing paths with the other cohort. If you are late, please wait.

  • Casa North students are to arrive between 8:00-8:30 a.m. (staff and essential worker drop off is 8:00-8:15 and other students from 8:15-8:30) and must be picked up no later than 4:00 p.m.
  • Casa South students are to arrive between 8:30-9:00 a.m. and must be picked up no later than 4:30 p.m.
  • Toddler students arrive with their siblings or between 8:15-9:00, enter the school through a separate door, and must be picked up no later than 3:30 p.m.
  • Elementary students will retain the same 15-minute interval arrival and pick-up times.

Playing on Private Property and in the Parking Lot

We continue to receive complaints from neighbours at the Primary campus about children playing on private property and in the parking lot after school. The hockey nets and area to the east of the building (on the other side of the walkway fence) are private property. Please do not let children play on the nets or on private property at pick-up, or in the parking lot. Thank you.

Ministry and Public Health Messages

We have been asked by the Ministry of Education and Hamilton Public Health Services to share some messaging with you about public health measures to ensure a safe return to school, and about available asymptomatic testing during the break. From the Ministry of Education and HPHS:

“Thank you for continuing to follow the public health and safety measures that have kept child care programs and schools open and safe. It is our collective effort that continues to ensure your children can learn with their friends. With spring break and the nicer weather around the corner, it is more important than ever that we continue to follow public health advice and do our part to keep COVID-19 from spreading in our communities. Outside of child care/school settings, we encourage families to continue to:

  • Socialize with your own household.
  • Refrain from non-essential activities or playdates with those outside your household.
  • Stay home and get tested if you feel ill.
  • Refrain from travelling.
  • Refer to Ontario.ca/covidresponse to learn what public health measures are in place in our community based on the COVID-19 response framework. We also suggest checking out www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus for additional resources and supports.

Asymptomatic Testing Available: For the week of April 12-18, pharmacies that currently offer testing and assessment centres across the province will accept appointments for children attending child care and child care staff, and elementary students and education staff for asymptomatic testing. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this testing capacity to have their children tested to support a safe return to school on April 19 and continued safe operation of child care.

Please stay at home as much as possible and continue following the direction of public health officials so that we can keep schools and early years and child care programs open.”

Thank you everyone. We know that the current situation remains difficult, and that you are all aware of the measures and behaviours needed to keep our families, friends, and fellow citizens safe. Let’s all commit to doing our individual best to stay healthy, keep schools open, and get back to some semblance of normalcy sooner rather than later.

Have a fun, restful, and creative time at home, full of smiles.

 

Have a wonderful break everyone, and we hope to see you all on Monday, April 19.