You must also understand that the Waiting List Application is valid for one year only, from January 1, 2021 until Dec. 31, 2022.
Upon submission, you are consenting to Our Lady of Mercy School for collecting personal information that may include student identification information, birth certificate, parents work number, academic records, and information from the school and/or parish that my child and/or family attends or has attended. This information is required in order to assist the school in making decisions regarding interviews and acceptance of new families depending on available space.
Completed forms can be scanned and emailed, faxed, or dropped off in person to the school office. Email address is [email protected]; fax number is 604-520-3194.
The Lord looks for us where we are, he loves us as we are, and he patiently walks by our side. With his word, he wants to change us, to invite us to live fuller lives and to put out into the deep together with him.
Pope Francis
Enhanced COVID-19 Safety Protocols On February 4, 2021, the Ministry of Education and Dr. Bonnie Henry had a press conference to announce the enhanced Covid-19 Safety Protocols. They also made the following points:
Masks
Mask exemptions remain in place for students and staff who cannot wear a mask for health or behavioral reasons.
Elementary school students are not required to wear masks and it remains a family decision.
If a student develops symptoms while at school, they must wear a mask while they are preparing to go home.
Physical Distancing
Within a learning group (bubble) physical distancing means avoiding physical contact, minimizing close, prolonged, face-to-face interactions (if not possible students are encouraged to wear a mask), and spreading out as much as possible within the space available.
Hygiene
Hand washing is the most effective way to reduce the spread of illness.
Wash hands with plain soap (you don’t need antibacterial soap)
The temperature of the water doesn’t matter
Have regular opportunities to hand wash
Stay Home When Sick
The BCCDC guidelines for schools are firm. If a student, staff member or any other adult has any symptoms of cold, influenza, Covid-19, or any other infectious respiratory diseases, they must not enter the school.
A verbal Daily Health Check is mandatory. This is the parents’ responsibility. (OLM Policy: If your child has been sick then a Signed Copy of the Daily Health Check must be submitted to your classroom teacher.)
Students, staff members and any other adult (including any family member) must stay home and self-isolate if they have:
Gone for a Covid-19 test
Tested positive for Covid-19 or are waiting for their results
Travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days
Identified as a close contact of a confirmed case or outbreak
My Child Has Allergies
Students and staff who experience seasonal allergies or other Covid-19 like symptoms that are related to an existing condition, can continue to attend school when they are experiencing these symptoms as normal (Please inform the office or the classroom teacher to avoid confusion).
If you notice a sudden change in the severity or type of symptoms your child normally experiences, keep your child at home and seek assessment from a health care provider.
They also revealed updates in the following three areas:
Strengthened mask guidelines for middle and secondary students. These protocols did not apply to elementary schools.
Strengthened mask guidelines for staff in schools. OLM had already put these practices into place with the use of our barriers and mask use.
Specific guidance for Physical Education Mr. Nguyen had already put the following practices in place: equipment is divided into the different Learning Bubbles, high intensity activity is done outside, equipment is sanitized every night, there is minimal physical contact, maximum physical distancing is practiced and students are often reminded. Mr. Nguyen not only follows the PHO orders but also adheres to the stringent guidelines set by Via Sports.
Specific guidance for music At OLM we went the extra mile to ensure that students’ interactions with different adults were kept to a minimum. Students receive music, French and technology for an intensive 8 week term and then rotate to receive another specialty subject. Ms. Boots not only follows the PHO orders but also adheres to the stringent guidelines set out by the BC Music Educators’ Association.
More detailed protocols regarding staff-only spaces and gatherings (Staff-only spaces have occupancy signs and OLM staff have already been going above and beyond the PHO orders.)
OLM Covid Safety Reminders
With increased hand-washing comes a significant amount of waste. Pope Francis challenges all people of faith to be Stewards of the Earth. We would like to remind families that students should bring a face cloth or small hand towel to dry their hands.
Dropping Off
While on the school grounds, all adults must respect the order of the PHO to maintain 2 meter physical distancing, wear a mask and stay in their designated zones
Your child must line up at their classroom door and stay there until the bell rings. Before school is not a time to be playing or running around. Please remind your child of this safety protocol before dropping him or her off at school. Why? To help students keep safe the Ministry of Education implemented Learning Bubbles. During the school day the staff has gone to great lengths to ensure that students stay within their bubble. We are asking parents to make certain this also happens before and after school as well.
Entering The Building
All adults who enter the building to complete their Parent Participation Hours must use the scanner and check their temperature before checking in.
All adults must go out the front door and are not permitted down the hallway.
If parents have a question we would prefer you either phone or email the office to reduce the number of adults in the building.
After School Pick Up
Children are to go straight home and are not permitted on the school’s playground.
Students are to be picked up by 3:15
Pink Day In 2008, Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell proclaimed the third Wednesday of every February to be anti-bullying day.
Pink shirt day was originally started as a protest against a bullying incident at a Nova Scotia high school (Central Kings Rural High).
David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt.
The boys sent out a message to their friends that night, and the next morning they brought the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. “It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,” Travis Price recalled.
The boys and other students took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school.
This act of leadership provides a great example to our students.
The students at OLM will be participating in this event. Students are asked to bring a toonie and to wear a pink to school on Wednesday, February 24th. The funds collected will be donated to support an anti-bullying program.
February Dates of Importance
February 9th
Valentine’s Day – Celebration for Grades K-2 NOTE: no outside candy or food is allowed to be brought in by parents
February 10th
Art Day –Students may dress up as an artist or they may wear their class colour
February 11th & 12th
CEC Conference – SCHOOL CLOSED
February 15th
Family Day – SCHOOL AND OFFICE CLOSED
February 24th
Pink Day – Please go over with your students the significance of this day and their role everyday to exhibit the values of this day.
Once again, our sincere gratitude goes out to our families for continuing to follow the safety protocols. Thus far, your discretion and judgment has been outstanding and it has helped to maintain a safe school environment for all of us.
Thank you for your continued support. Let’s work together to ensure the safety and health of all!
“The world’s faith depends on Christian Unity; in fact, the Lord asked that we be one ‘so the world might believe’ (Jn 17:21). The world will not believe because of our convincing arguments, but because we have borne witness to that love that unites us and draws us near.”
– Pope Francis
COVID SAFETY REMINDERS
Continue with the Daily Health Checks and stay home if any of the symptoms are present.
Dropping Off
While on the school grounds, all adults must respect the order of the PHO to maintain 2 meter physical distancing, wear a mask and stay in their designated zones.
Please remind your child that they must line up at their classroom door. Before school is not a time to be playing or running around.
Entering The Building
All adults who enter the building to complete their Parent Participation Hours must use the scanner and check their temperature before checking in.
All adults must go out the front door and are not permitted down the hallway.
If parents have a question we would prefer you either phone or email the office to reduce the number of adults in the building.
After School Pick Up
Children are to go straight home and are not permitted on the school’s playground.
Students are to be picked up by 3:15
WHAT TO DO WHEN MY CHILD IS SICK OR AWAY? When your child will be away from school, it is Ministry mandated to call or preferably email the office before 9:00am to report the absence. You are encouraged to also Copy (cc) your child’s teacher, if you decide to use email.
If you email to report the absence, you do not need to send a written note when your child returns as the email notification is sufficient.
If you call to report the absence, please send a note listing the dates and reason for the absence.
NEW: If your child has been absent from school for any reason, on the first day back to school, please provide a signed, Daily Health Check form to your classroom teacher.
SCHOOL DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP Please note, parking across the street from the school on Henley in between 10th and London is NOT RECOMMENDED. There have been many close calls while dropping off/picking-up students.
Our children’s safety ALWAYScomes first. Please ensure that you use the school parking lot when dropping off or picking up your child(ren).
Furthermore, there have been a number of complaints from the Henley Street neighbors regarding our OLM parents. Please remember that you represent our school. Be kind and courteous when dealing with the neighbors.
NO RIGHT TURN ON HENLEY FROM 3:00pm Please note that you cannot turn right onto Henley from 10th Avenue from 3:00pm-6:00pm.
Police will issue violation tickets.
YOUTHCAT PROGRAM The YouthCat Program runs after school, on school days only, from 3:00pm-6:00pm. The cost is $12/day.
LOST AND FOUND ITEMS In the last few months we have found and accumulated numerous lost items in particular School Uniforms. Most of the items have no names on them or names of children that are no longer going to the school.
Parents: please check and see if your child is missing a sweater/cardigan or any other school uniform items.
Any items not claimed by Friday, March 12th, 2020 will be donated to Goodwill or the Used Uniform Store.
REMINDER – LABEL SCHOOL UNIFORMS Every year, items of school clothing are brought to the lost and found in the school office. If there is no name on the clothing we do not know who to return the item to. Considering all students wear the same uniform, it is important to put your child’s name on their uniform so it can be returned to the rightful owner.
We will only keep items that are not labeled for 2 weeks. If unclaimed after that time, they will be donated for Used Uniforms.
To support our school, please visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and select Our Lady of Mercy School (Burnaby). You can pick out whatever labels or product you want, and it will ship for free directly to your house! Thank you for supporting your School!
LAST CALL FOR KINDERGARTEN FOR SIBLINGS FOR 2021/2022 If you have a child ready for Kindergarten for the 2021/2022 school year, please remember to return your registration form to the school no later than Friday, January 15, 2021. If you have not received your registration form, please contact the OLM Office.
If you do not submit a form, WE CANNOT guarantee a spot for your sibling child.
WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS With the cold days of winter upon us, please remind your child(ren) to wear clothing appropriate for the weather, (ie. boots, warm jacket, mitts, toques). Students will go outside to get some fresh air during recess and lunch breaks.
In the event of inclement weather, such as snow, we will notify parents regarding any school closure. Information can also be found on our school website: www.ourladyofmercy.ca.
All emails will be sent out via SeeSaw from your classroom teacher by 8:00am. If you do not receive an email from our school or there is no information posted on the school website by 8:00am, then the school is open. Please do not tie up the school and parish telephone lines by trying to call these offices.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY – NO SCHOOL Please note that there will be no school on Monday, January 25th as the staff will be attending a workshop that day.
May 2021 be a year filled with optimism, hope, joy and good health!
“Your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Many appreciate you, admire you and love you. Remember that to be happy is not have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, and relationships without disappointments.
To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, and security in the stage of fear, love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity.
Being happy is an achievement for those who can travel within themselves. To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny’s author. It is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul.
Being happy is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life.
Being happy is not being afraid of your own feelings. It’s to be able to talk about you. It is having the courage to hear a “no”. It is confidence in the face of criticism. Even when unjustified.
Being happy is to kiss your children, pamper your parents, to live poetic moments with friends, even when they hurt us.
To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple.
It is to have maturity to be able to say: “I made mistakes”. It is to have the courage to say “I am sorry”. It is to have the sensitivity to say, “I need you”. It is to have the ability to say “I love you”.
May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness… May your life in spring may it be a lover of joy… May your life in winter be a lover of wisdom.
And when you make a mistake, start all over again. For only then will you be in love with life. You will find that to be happy is not to have a perfect life. But use the tears to irrigate tolerance. Use your losses to train patience. Use your mistakes to sculptor serenity. Use pain to plaster pleasure. Use obstacles to open windows of intelligence. Never give up… Never give up on people who love you. Never give up on happiness, for life is an incredible show.”
– Pope Francis
LIST OF IMPORTANT DATES
Date
Activity
February 15th, 2021
Family Day
March 12th – 29th, 2021
Spring Break
April 2nd, 2021
Good Friday
April 4th, 2021
Easter Sunday
April 5th, 2021
Easter Monday
May 24th, 2021 June 24th, 2021
Victoria Day Last Day for Students
ADDITIONAL PRO-D Days * January 25, 2021 * February 11th & 12th, 2021 * May 21st, 2021
