MANDATORY DAILY SCREENING: Beginning Monday, January 17th and until further notice, all GMS students are required to confirm they have conducted their COVID-19 screening each morning to determine if they should attend school. We will use the same processes we used in September meaning that teachers will run through the screener each morning as they take attendance. Every morning prior to leaving the house, all staff and students should be using the Ontario Provincial screening tool, found here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
We realize that keeping your child home when they have symptoms of COVID-19 is challenging, but it is imperative that we adhere to the isolation guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health and Ottawa Public Health
STUDENT and/or STAFF ABSENCE: For students who need to be away, teachers will continue to update their Google Classrooms with overviews of what is being studied asynchronous activities to help students keep up with work.
If teachers need to be away we will attempt to replace them with an occasional teacher as we have in the past. However, if we are not able to fill an absence then we may have to close a class for a day or perhaps longer to ensure student safety. We will communicate these closures as soon as possible to allow families to prepare for having their child work from home for that period of time.
RAPID TESTS: We are aware that the Ministry has said that we will be distributing two Rapid tests to every student in the school. We have not yet received the tests and we will distribute them to students as soon as we get them, but please be aware that it may not be on Monday. The PCR tests are still available for students that become symptomatic at school but these are very limited and for the time being there is no plan to replace them once they are gone.
RETURN OF BORROWED TECHNOLOGY: Borrowed Chromebooks and Hotspots are to be returned to the school on Monday. Devices may be dropped off by parents/guardians at the front door or brought back into the building by your child. Please ensure to return the power cords/adapter along with the Chromebook. We are requesting that all devices be returned to the school, by the latest, Wednesday, January 19th so that we may accurately inventory and clean the items and get the Chromebooks back into our classrooms as soon as possible.
OSTA UPDATE: Yellow school bus and van service for GMS students will be reinstated on Monday, January 17, 2022. If your child has COVID-19 symptoms, do not put them on the bus/van or drop them off at school. Please keep them home and follow the new isolation guidelines.
SPIRIT WEAR ONLINE STORE: We have partnered with the Ottawa-based sportswear and promotional company GADAR to make GMS Spirit wear including tees, sweatshirts, hoodies, track pants, hats and masks. Visit our Spirit Wear shop at:
https://goulbourngreyhounds.secure-decoration.com/. Delivery will be approx. 2-3 weeks after the store closes. The store is now open. Don’t delay as the deadline to order (store closes) is Monday, January 31, 2022.
STUDENT PHOTOS: Individual Student photo proofs were sent home with students prior to the winter break. Photo proofs may also be accessed online at the EdgeImaging website. Simply click on the link below to receive an access code. You will need your child’s student ID# which can be found on their report card. Find My Access Code. Grade 8 grad photos and photo retakes are currently scheduled for Tuesday, January 25th. .
PARENT INFO NIGHT: The Sir Guy Carleton S.S. Virtual Parent Information Session for current Gr 8 students is scheduled for Thursday, January 27th at 6:00 pm. Please see the attached flyer for more details. Parents can use the links on the invitation to access the google meet and see the website for the google form to ask questions.
TRANSPORTATION PLAN: Click here to review the pick up and drop off plan.
Please note that UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD STUDENTS BE DROPPED OFF ON HUNTLEY ROAD. It is a 70 km/h zone in front of our school, and without any sidewalks it is not safe for pedestrian traffic. We would also ask that everyone respect the neighbouring driveways and do not block our neighbours access to their homes.
HOMEWORK HELP: This November, the Virtual Tutoring Program is offering OSSLT support on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm. Students in grades 7-12 can receive support is a variety of subjects on an ongoing basis. To register, join using the Google nickname OCDSB TUTORING. See the attached flyer for information about free virtual homework help for OCDSB students grades 7 and up: FALL TUTORING
STUDENT HANDBOOK: Click on the link to check out the student handbook.
LATE ARRIVAL: If you are late arriving at school (after 7:55 AM), your child must come through the main office. Students should NOT wander to the back of the school grounds as doors are locked and supervision ceases at the 7:55 AM bell.
STUDENT SUCCESS SITE: The GMS Guidance Team is here to help. Click on the link to access the Student Success website. Fill out the Guidance Form if you would like to speak to an adult about social, personal or academic concerns.
VIRTUAL LIBRARY: Mrs. Judd has created a website for families to access a wide variety of online resources. Please take a moment to check it out: Virtual Library
EMERGENCY CLOSURE FORM : print
ELECTRONIC FORMS:
MEDIA RELEASE: https://forms.ocdsb.ca/Forms/Media-School-Website-Consent-Form
ACCEPTABLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY: https://forms.ocdsb.ca/Forms/Use-of-Technology
WELCOME TO GMS: Click on the link to watch our welcome video.