More Info:
Principal Jensen’s Email Update: Sept 8 2021
We’re so happy to have you at Wilkinson!
Although there are still a few more days before school begins, we wanted to take this opportunity to welcome back all returning in-person and online students, families and staff and to give a warm first welcome to all new Wilkinson families and staff.
The Wilkinson community is large and diverse. We believe in the importance of ensuring that every student feels they matter and are seen and every member of our community feels they are included and have a voice.
We acknowledge we are hosted on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe (A NISH NA BEE), the Haudenosaunee (HOE DENA SHOW NEE) Confederacy and the Wendat. We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
Though there are many unknowns and uncertainties this year, we hope that the information below will help you navigate the first few weeks of school.
First Day of School: Thursday, September 9.
The School Day Runs From 9:15 am to 3:45 pm (3:30 for Kindergarten)
Before Entering the School: COVID-19 Screening and Masks
We need to work together to ensure our community stays safe and healthy. As per TDSB and Toronto Public Health (TPH) guidelines, before entering the school, students, staff, and necessary visitors must first do a self-assessment for COVID-19 symptoms at home. If your child is okay to come to school, you’re required to fill out a daily screening form using the paper pass found here. As information is still being distributed, please visit the TDSB 2021-22 School Year page for updates.
Anyone who feels unwell, has COVID-19 symptoms, or has had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 should not attend school, and anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms should go to a primary care provider or an assessment centre for testing. Please refer to the TPH School Decision Guide for more details about what to do and when to stay home in various scenarios. You may also wish to keep this Daily Checklist handy and check the TPH School Info page for updates throughout the year. The links in this section are posted on our website for easy access – you are responsible for reviewing and familiarizing yourself with this information.
Please remember that non-medical or cloth face masks are mandatory for all students and visitors inside the school and on school buses. Plastic face shields are not an allowable substitute (see TPH Mask How To and more info here). Masks will be provided for students who do not have them, but the expectation is that students will provide and wear their own. Also note that all parents/guardians and visitors are required to wear a mask while outside on school property as well (e.g. during pick-up /drop-off). As children will be spending more time outdoors, please ensure they are dressed for the weather.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures:
Morning entry is at 9:15am. The schoolyard is supervised beginning at 9:00am – please do not drop-off children earlier than this unless they are coming for a scheduled activity. For student safety, as parking lots can be very busy, the use of the school parking lot is not permitted for drop-off and pick-up and vehicles without an authorized TDSB permit are subject to ticketing and towing (Property Map). The designated drop-off/pick-up lane is located in front of the school on Donlands Ave. The school day ends at 3:45 pm, 3:30 pm for Kindergarten students.
Kindergarten lunch begins at 11:45am. Lunch for Gr 1 to 6 students starts at 11:55am. Lunch ends at 1:00pm. if your child is going home for lunch everyday please send an email to Nicki Keenliside, our VP.
Cell Phones:
Please note that while on school property, cell phones are only permitted before and after school, not during class time, at recess or at lunch.
Nut Allergies:
Please remember that Wilkinson is a nut free school. We have several students who have life-threatening anaphylactic allergies to a variety of nuts, including walnuts, pecans, peanuts, hazelnuts and chocolate hazelnut spreads, and wish to keep our school as safe as possible for everyone.
It’s important to note that “peanut free” and “nut free” are not the same thing. When packing lunches and snacks, please remember to never send products containing nuts of any type (peanuts or otherwise) to school. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to ensure the safety and well-being of our students.
Litterless Lunches:
As a Platinum EcoSchool and because of COVID-19, we request that our students bring litterless lunches and snacks (including a full reusable water bottle) to school. A litterless lunch does not include materials that go into the garbage or recycling. Instead, it contains reusable food and drink containers, reusable cutlery, and compost items, all packed into a reusable bag. As students will be eating lunch in their classrooms this year, for hygienic reasons, all lunch waste will be brought home. Please pack a water bottle that comes to school filled and returns home each night for cleaning.
Over The First Few Weeks:
Each year, families are required to fill out a school forms package. A personalized link to complete the forms online will be sent to families within the first few days of school (from “TDSB Online Form” noreply@tdsb.on.ca). More information can be found here. If you are unable to fill out your forms online, paper copies will either be sent home in your child’s backpack or can be obtained by contacting the school’s main office.
You’ll also be receiving emails containing information about the Parent Council and how to join, other ways to get involved, fundraising opportunities, and upcoming events (should we be able to hold any). This information, including a calendar, can also be found on our website.
September Parent Council Meeting
The first Parent Council meeting of the school year will be held on Monday, September 13th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm via Zoom video conference. All members of the Wilkinson community (including families of online learners) are welcome to attend Council meetings as guests. September 13th will be the last meeting of the 2020-2021 Parent Council. The 2021-2022 Council will meet for the first time in October. If you’re interested in joining as a voting member, look out for our nomination form which will be sent by email in September or October. If you’d like to attend the September 13th meeting, please email us for the meeting link.
Finding Information:
The Parent Handbook includes valuable information about school policies and procedures as well as a section dedicated to Kindergarten. Please note that it has not been updated with COVID protocols as these are continuously evolving.
The Communications Committee works hard to keep Wilkinson families informed about school and Parent Council events and activities through emails, our website, Facebook and Twitter. For news from the TDSB, the French as a Second Language Advisory Committee, local elected officials, and other external organizations, we encourage you to sign up directly for their respective email lists. Visit our Links and Resources page for more information. If you ever have a question, don’t hesitate to send the Parent Council an email.
We wish all of our students and staff a great start to the school year!
