Lyonsgate Update Sept. 25, 2020
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
We have a brief update, a reminder, a request, and a virtual event for you this week.
There have been some questions about the exclusion of siblings when a student is excluded due to being symptomatic. The provincial Ministry of Education released a screening tool last week that is different from the screening forms we use at Lyonsgate; it does not question or exclude asymptomatic siblings. Lyonsgate will not be using this screening tool.
Having asymptomatic siblings of symptomatic students present in the cohorts increases the risk of transmission. As such, Lyonsgate will continue to use the same screening form and exclusion protocol at both the Primary and Elementary campuses.
We know you will understand and appreciate that this heightened degree of safety is the best course of action to maintain a safe school environment for all of your children and families.
New COVID Test Booking Website
A new website you can use to book COVID tests came online on Thursday, Sept. 24. Visit https://www.stjoes.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-test-home to book a test (HamiltonCovidTest.ca also redirects to the same website)
Remember, you can also call Public Health at 905-974-9848 option 2 for testing referral.
As you know, Public Health and the testing centres are overwhelmed. Wait times for tests are increasing, so patience is required. Public Health is asking that people please book an appointment and do not go to testing centres without an appointment.
No Asymptomatic Testing
Another change this week is that children (and everyone else in Ontario) that do not have symptoms are not eligible to have a COVID test. This change is to reduce the demand on the testing centres and labs. Only students with symptoms, and other symptomatic family members, can book a test. Asymptomatic siblings should be kept home and monitored for symptoms and can return once negative test results and 24 hours symptom free are achieved for the symptomatic child.
Reminder: PD Day Monday, Sept. 28
There is no school at either Lyonsgate campus this coming Monday, September 28. This is the second PD day early in the year, as is the case every year, as necessitated by Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Primary campus is not available on those days, and this year these early PD days are very beneficial to helping us refine how this strange new approach to school is working. The next school closure days coming up are Monday, Oct. 12, for Thanksgiving, and another PD day on Oct. 23. Remember to check your Lyonsgate calendar regularly (you can find it under the “Parents” tab at lyonsgate.ca).
Request: Reusable Bags for Primary Please
We are asking parents of Primary students (Casa and Toddler) to please provide a reusable/washable bag to be used for children’s soiled clothing. We are trying to minimize the use of plastic bags.
Thank you.
Telling Tales
The annual Telling Tales Festival is very popular with Lyonsgate families, and this year it is moving online:
Telling Tales Festival is a free children’s literature festival that takes place annually in Hamilton. This year marks the 12th annual event and for the first time Telling Tales will be hosting a Virtual Festival, premiering on Facebook and YouTube. The event began on September 20th and runs through to December 3rd, 2020. The theme this year is “Stories Connect Us” and the line-up features over 80 presenters and 13 themed episodes with quality children’s programming from award-winning Canadian authors, illustrators, storytellers, and musicians. The programming is suitable for children of all ages.
For more information and to view the festival schedule, please visit https://tellingtales.org/