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CORNELL J.P.S. http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/cornell 61 Holmfirth Terrace. Scarborough, ON. M1G 1G8 416-396-6175 Follow us on Twitter @CornellTDSB

Principal: Arif Nathoo Trustee: Zakir Patel (Ward 19) Superintendent of Education: Sheryl Robinson Petrazzini Vice Principal: Katerina Papanastasiou Office Administer: Ashley Lee-Kim

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE Welcome to your best year of school ever! We hope you enjoyed the summer! Whether you are joining us

for the first time or are a returning family, we’re glad you’re here! Getting ready to begin the school year is

not an easy task. It requires hard work, dedication, careful planning, and the collaborative efforts of

students, parents, and staff.

As your new Principal, I am truly honoured and excited to be part of the wonderful Cornell Community. This

year promises to be an exciting adventure and I look forward to getting to know all of you. The school year

will present us with challenges and a full range of learning opportunities that will allow us to learn and

grow. When we all work together to help one another in a positive, respectful and productive manner, the

possibilities for improvement and success are immense. Rest assured we are doing everything possible to

ensure the health and safety of all school community members, while also providing the best academic

experience possible for students, supporting mental health and well-being, and considering the needs of

families and staff. We have established new routines in the school and some of these changes are

mentioned below in our Key Messages.

Continue to visit our Cornell Website (http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/cornell) and follow us on Twitter

(@CornellTDSB ) for all the up to date information.

Key Messages:

1. VENTILATION

The TDSB has been working over the summer to review building ventilation and filtration systems and is

implementing a number of strategies to improve ventilation in our schools and increase the volume of

fresh air to the maximum extent possible. These strategies include:

● Schedule HVAC systems to start 2 hours prior to the school day, to flush the school with fresh air.

● Ensure that exhaust fans are running and keep them running for additional time at the end of the

school day.

● Ensure clean filters are installed prior to the start of the school year and inspect regularly to ensure

they don’t become clogged, or hinder airflow.

● Increase the frequency of filter changes from 4 times per year to 6 times per year to maintain

performance.

● Ensure that HVAC exhaust grills are clean and that air supply grills are not blocked or closed off.

● Follow recommended maintenance measures for air handling systems including inspection and

replacement of filters.

● If mechanical ventilation is not available, open windows to provide outdoor air.

2. SCHOOL PREPARATION

We have prepared the school in the following ways to welcome your child(ren):

● Entrance Screening

● Signage in the halls

● Bathroom Posters--how to wash your hands

● Decals in the halls to show how/where to walk

● Gridding outside

● Class set up

Please visit our school website to view an online video to see pictures of the school and classrooms.

http://www.tdsb.on.ca

September 14, 2020

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3. SELF-ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO COMING TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY

All students and staff are expected to complete a screening at home. Toronto Public Health has asked

that staff and students remain at home if they have one (1) COVID symptom.

The TDSB has an app that will be used for at-home screening every morning prior to leaving home. This

will allow for quicker entrance into the school. Please logon to a computer and visit the website

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Return-to-School/Health-and-Safety/Daily-Health-Screening and click on How to

use the Health Screening App. A QR code will be generated and you can either save the code on your

phone or print it out prior to arriving to school. If you are unable to electronically complete the

assessment, a paper version of the screening will be distributed to students on the first day of school for

parent signature as verification that screening has been completed prior to coming to school. Please bring

this HEALTH PASS each morning to school. Your support in completing this at home will allow entry into

the building to be a lot quicker and more efficient.

4. STAGGERED STARTS

The start dates for each grade level are outlined below. Once a student starts school on the first day for

their grade, they continue to attend school every day.

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5. CHECKLISTS FOR FAMILIES

6. ANAPHYLAXIS

Taking the Necessary Precautions

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can be life threatening. This medical condition can cause a

severe reaction to specific foods or other materials, and can result in death within minutes. Although foods

such as peanuts, milk, eggs, and sesame seeds are the most common cause of anaphylaxis, insect stings,

medicine, or latex can also cause a reaction. In recent years, anaphylaxis has increased dramatically

among students. The TDSB, in partnership with Toronto Public Health, is committed to maintaining a safe

and healthy learning environment for all students and staff.

As required by Sabrina's Law, the TDSB has established policies and procedures to prevent and manage

anaphylactic reactions and to reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents in classrooms

and common school areas.

Although this may or may not affect your child's class directly, we want to raise awareness about this life-

threatening condition. Students who have severe allergies to such food substances are exposed to a

severe health risk when such products are consumed in their environment or shared with them. As

prevention is the best approach, we ask that you speak with your child about not sharing their snacks or

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lunches with other students and please do not send any snacks or lunches with your child that contain

peanuts.

If your child has health problems of any kind, please inform your child's teacher or office staff immediately

so that the necessary health protection steps may be taken and to ensure everyone's co-operation for a

safe learning environment.

Whether you are living with the allergy yourself, caring for someone who is, or concerned about people in

your community, more information about life threatening allergies is available

at http://foodallergycanada.ca

7. WAYS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN STARTING SCHOOL

How can I prepare my child for school?

1. Practice wearing a mask at home for extended periods of time. Children can practice wearing their

mask while on the computer or other devices.

2. Label all of your child’s belongings with their name.

3. Bring 2 Ziploc bags for masks (one marked clean and one marked dirty).

4. Wash masks by hand daily.

5. For easy access, consider using a fanny pack with your child’s belongings including a personal

bottle of hand sanitizer

6. Pack lunch in reusable containers as everything from lunch will be returning home

7. Be ready to drop off/pick up your child outside of the school.

8. Essential visitors only are allowed into the schools. Please contact your principal by phone or email

if you wish to speak with them or your student.

8. LUNCH TIME

● Any students who go home for lunch or who are permitted to go out for lunch off school property would

be expected to remain off property until just before afternoon entry.

● Students who have performed the active screening in the morning do not need to be actively screened

again upon re-entry during the day. They should be given the opportunity to practice hand hygiene at re-

entry by using alcohol hand sanitizer.

9. HANDWASHING

● Students should wash their hands regularly with soap in either warm or cold water.

● In classrooms where there are sinks, this can be done within the class.

● Classrooms are equipped with liquid soap and paper towels to support hand drying.

● Hand sanitizer will be provided by the school for all classrooms without sinks.

10. WATER FOUNTAINS

● Toronto Public Health recommends that water fountains are not to be used to drink water but might be

used to fill water bottles.

● Students are encouraged to carry individual refillable water bottles to come filled from home. Students

can use our water filling station near the gym to fill their water bottle if required.

11. PARENTS/CAREGIVERS/EXTERNAL VISITORS

All school visitors must:

● Conduct a COVID-19 self -health assessment online before leaving home.

- On a computer, by logging into TDSB Health Screening App

Show the QR code that is generated to the office staff at the main doors of the school. If you don’t have a

mobile device to bring with you, provide your name and the Greeter will confirm that you performed a self-

assessment using the app that day.

● Enter the school through the main school entrance.

● Wait to be invited into the school office to ensure appropriate physical distance.

● Sign-in and out for safety and contact tracing.

● Physically distance to the extent possible while in the office.

● Wear a mask. Masks will be provided if needed

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● In the case where families would like to speak with someone at the school, please call or email the

school directly.

● Parents/caregivers who require a meeting with a teacher/school staff to discuss non-emergency issues,

will do so by phone or virtually where possible.

12. PICK UP / DROP OFF:

Please drop off and pick up your students at the following zones:

ZONE 1

Ms. Plassaras Grade 2 Room 206

Mr. Leatherdale Grade 4 Room 211

ZONE 2

Ms. Meghji Grade 2 Room 207

Ms. Picheca Grade 4 Room 213

ZONE 3

Ms. Gallo Grade 1/2 Room 104

Ms. Bridger Grade 6 Room 114

ZONE 4

Ms. Armstrong Grade 1 Room 105

Ms. Williams Grade 6 Room 112

ZONE 5

Ms. Tompras Grade 1/2 Room 205

Ms. Ritchie Grade 6 Room 218

ZONE 6

Ms. Livesey Grade 3 Room 202

Ms. Mui Grade 5 Room 217

ZONE 7

Ms. Ross Grade 3 Room 203

Ms. Francis Grade 5 Room 212

ZONE 8

Mr. Taggart Grade 3 Room 208

Ms. Hong Grade 5 Room 216

ZONE 9

Ms. Leue Grade 2/3 Room 204

Ms. Andras Grade 4 Room 210

ZONE 10

Ms. Schwartz Grade 1 Room 102

ZONE 11

Designated Outdoor Physical Education

ZONE 12

Designated Outdoor Physical Education

KINDERGARTENS

Ms. Cresswell, Ms. Fisher, Ms. Brown Kindergarten Outdoor Play area

Ms. Trivedi, Ms. Thomas Door #3 (next to Outdoor Play)

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13. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: A PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES

With a new school year ahead, we continue to develop character in all students and this is a shared responsibility between

home and school. There is a need for family, community and schools to engage cooperatively to encourage students'

learning and maturing as social beings.

Throughout the year, we will continue to focus on the 10 attributes identified at the TDSB and we encourage parents to

reinforce these attributes at home whenever possible: Respect, Responsibility, Empathy, Kindness and Caring, Teamwork,

Fairness, Honesty, Co-operation, Integrity and Perseverance.

Some tips for supporting Character Development in the Home, include:

- Use the language of character development and be clear about your values

- Model and teach respectful manners

- Listen to your children and spend time with children in shared activities

- As a family, take part in community service projects or civic activities

- Establish family traditions and enjoy family celebrations together

- Teach your children to be responsible and discerning with their choices in media and entertainment and online activities

- Teach your children how to resolve conflict in a peaceful, respectful way

- Become involved in your child's school life from Kindergarten to Grade 12

- Live character every day

For more information, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/character.

SEPTEMBER’S CHARACTER ATTRIBUTE:

RESPECT Your child is involved in learning activities designed to develop good character and help children make good choices.

Our focus this month will be on RESPECT.

What does respect mean to you?

Your child can show respect by:

being kind to other family members

using polite language

talking and spending time with relatives and/or other family members

listening when someone else is talking

Questions to discuss with your child:

What does it mean to be respectful?

What are some different ways in which you can show respect: a) for yourself, b) for others, c) for nature and the

environment?

How can we speak to others with respect? Can you give some examples?

How can we show respect for our belongings and the belongings of others?

Projects to do together:

Watch a television show or movie together, and talk about the various ways in which the characters acted respectfully

or disrespectfully toward one another. Watch for put-downs, insults, and subtle forms of bullying.

Interview a grandparent or other relative, and take the time to get to know him or her better.

Plan how the family can do more recycling or reduce wastefulness. Organize a family project around this.

Encouraging respect in your child:

Praise and encourage your child when he or she is being respectful.

Speak to your child with respect, and answer his or her questions in a polite manner. Expect the same behaviour from

your child.

Share an example of how someone was respectful toward you, and how this made you feel.

Encourage respectful manners and speaking politely to others in the community.

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14. School Year Calendar:

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15. KEY DATES TO REMEMBER

Whether you choose online virtual learning or in person learning, on behalf of all staff,

sincere best wishes for a terrific school year!