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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!