The purpose of this message to provide additional information about opting out of Port Hope High School (PHHS) and registering with the KPR Virtual Learning High School.

Students who have chosen to ‘opt out’ of in-person learning  have been transferred to KPR Virtual High School (VHS) and will no longer be registered as a student at their home secondary school until such time as the student formally re-registers  at PHHS.

The Virtual High School will attempt to match the courses you selected for this semester in creating a new timetable with teachers assigned from the Virtual High School.  Messaging about your child’s new courses will come from the VHS.

Students planning on returning to PHHS at the end of the first quadmester or for semester two,  will not return to the classes they were originally scheduled in, but will have to select new courses based on what is available at that time. It is also important to note that space in specialized courses such as technology can be limited and cannot be guaranteed if a student chooses to return to their home school.  Conversely, if a student is considering opting out at a later date and attending the VHS they will be required to select courses based on availability at that time which may be different from their original plan.   

We are now in the process of adjusting our timetable and course offerings given the impact of losing PHHS students to the VHS and we be able to confirm student timetables next week.   Students will then be able to contact Guidance to discuss possible timetable changes if needed.   We understand that course selection is very important and we will work with you to make sure each student has the courses that are critical to their career path.

If you are interested in potentially changing your decision to ‘opt out’, please contact our guidance secretary at PHHS and we will help you with that process.  Information about the KPR Re-start plan and expectations of students who choose VHS can be found here http://www.kprschools.ca/en/COVID-19.html

Missed Port Hope HS Graduation Ceremony 2020, no worries watch or download a copy of the Ceremony at the Drive In by accessing this link which will be available for the next 60 days!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15eDEKArgL984mWKpG5rlPmYd917jQEeQ/view?usp=sharing

We are in the process of calling all students to inform them of what their period 1 class is.

For grade 11 and 12 students, school will start on Monday, Sept 14^th and they will not attend on Tuesday, Sept 15th but return on Wednesday, Sept 16th for the rest of week.

For grade 9 and 10 students, school will start on Tuesday, Sept 15th and they will attend the remainder of the week. 

If students wish to obtain their timetables  they can use this link:  http://classlookup.kprdsb.ca/ . IMPORTANT: students will require their Ontario Education Number (OEN).  This can be found at the top of any report card.

Please see below the daily schedule that Port Hope High School will follow:

BLOCK ‘A’: 8:30 – 9:45 + 10 min break (washroom and mask break)

BLOCK ‘B’: 9:55 – 11:10

LUNCH – 11:15 – 11:45 (Do not use field or connect with any Hawkins students)

BLOCK ‘C’: 11: 50 – 1:05 + 10 min break (washroom and mask break)

BLOCK ‘D’: 1:15 – 2:30

Staggered start schedule:

The cafeteria remains closed.  Students will need to bring their own lunch/snacks.

Senior Spartans

Gr 9 Door Prizes

Gr. 9 Door Prizes keep coming, today’s winners will receive a Spartan Baseball Hat. Congratulations to

___Jacob Mercer_____ and __Mekenzie Sacrey___. Please come pick up your prize in the main office today at lunch.

Off Limits

This is a reminder to students that the Hawkins’ hardtop/paved area is off limits.

SAC Meeting

A Reminder to all SAC members of the meeting today at the beginning of lunch in the outdoor classroom. Please be prompt.

Orange Shirt Day

“On Wednesday, September 30^th the school will be participating in orange shirt day!  We wear orange shirts to honour the indigenous children that were taken from their family and sent to residential schools.”

Senior Spartans

Gr 9 Door Prizes

Gr. 9’s today’s door prizes are Spartan Bucket Hats, congratulations to our winners

__Zander Hutton________ and ____Ashley Dempsey_______.

Off Limits

This is a reminder to students that the Hawkins’ hardtop/paved area is off limits.

Orange Shirt Day

“On Wednesday, September 30^th the school will be participating in orange shirt day!  We wear orange shirts to honour the indigenous children that were taken from their family and sent to residential schools.”

Did you know?

“The last residential school closed in 1996? That’s only 24 years ago.  In honour of the indigenous children that were taken to the residential schools, please remember to wear your orange shirt on Wednesday, September 30^th!”

Senior Spartans

Gr 9 Door Prizes

Gr. 9’s today’s door prizes are Spartan T-Shirts, congratulations to our winners  

_______Zoe Johnson____________ and _______Kody French__________________.

If they need a bigger or smaller size let me know I have other sizes here.

Off Limits

This is a reminder to students that the Hawkins’ hardtop/paved area is off limits.

Did you know?

“An estimated 15,000 kids attended residential schools each year, and an estimated 6,000 children passed away while attending these schools?  To honour these children, please wear your orange shirt on Wednesday, September 30^th!”

Terry Fox

Terry Fox will be happening this Friday Oct 9th.  The whole school will be walking in their cohorts in honour of Terry Fox.  Homeroom teachers will be collecting your extra change and donations OR you may donate online with school cash online.  Check out school talk for more updated information as it comes.  Homeroom teachers please check your mailbox today for a collection bag.

Spartan Clothing

Spartan clothing will be on sale for the month of October.  All orders and payment are due by October 26th.  Use the link sent home in an email or access it in School Talk on Edsby to see Spartan Clothing items, place your order (share a copy with Mrs. Watson) and use school cash online to pay.  Samples will be on display in the PHHS main office.  Due to Covid-19 you will be unable to try on items for sizing.

Picture Day

A reminder that picture day is tomorrow, Tuesday October 6th for students with a period 2 class.  Students will be called down by class to the Drama Room.  For co-op students your picture day is Wednesday, October 14th when you are here for your in school learning.  Students that do not have a period 2 class on October 6th can call the main office to schedule a time to get your picture taken on Wednesday, October 14th.

World Teacher Day

Today is World Teachers' Day.  The unparalleled challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated even further how strong, flexible, caring and professional our teachers truly are.  Please take a moment today to thank our amazing teachers we have here at Port Hope High School.

Terry Fox

Terry Fox will be happening this Friday Oct 9th.  The whole school will be walking in their cohorts in honour of Terry Fox.  Homeroom teachers will be collecting your extra change and donations OR you may donate online with school cash online.  Check out school talk for more updated information as it comes.  Homeroom teachers please check your mailbox today for a collection bag.

Spartan Clothing

Spartan clothing will be on sale for the month of October.  All orders and payment are due by October 26th.  Use the link sent home in an email or access it in School Talk on Edsby to see Spartan Clothing items, place your order (share a copy with Mrs. Watson) and use school cash online to pay.  Samples will be on display in the PHHS main office.  Due to Covid-19 you will be unable to try on items for sizing.

Picture Day

Picture day is today.  Students will be called down by class to the Drama Room.

2020 COVID 19 Games

The 2020 Covid19 games start today!  We will start off the games with a kahoot on the Olympics.  This is a school wide Kahoot that you complete as a class and compete agains other classes.  There will be more events soon so don't worry of you're not on that Podium today!

Terry Fox

Terry Fox will be happening this Friday Oct 9th.  The whole school will be walking in their cohorts in honour of Terry Fox.  Homeroom teachers will be collecting your extra change and donations OR you may donate online with school cash online.  Check out school talk for more updated information as it comes.  Homeroom teachers please check your mailbox today for a collection bag.

Spartan Clothing

Spartan clothing will be on sale for the month of October.  All orders and payment are due by October 26th.  Use the link sent home in an email or access it in School Talk on Edsby to see Spartan Clothing items, place your order (share a copy with Mrs. Watson) and use school cash online to pay.  Samples will be on display in the PHHS main office.  Due to Covid-19 you will be unable to try on items for sizing.

Terry Fox

Terry Fox will be happening this Friday Oct 9th.  The whole school will be walking in their cohorts in honour of Terry Fox.  Homeroom teachers will be collecting your extra change and donations OR you may donate online with school cash online.  Check out school talk for more updated information as it comes.  Homeroom teachers please check your mailbox today for a collection bag.

OSSTF/FEESO Student Achievement Award

Are you trying to save money for your tuition, a trip, or a car?  The annual OSSTF/FEESO Student Achievement Awards competition is open and you could win $1000!  All you have to do is create an original piece of writing, art, or media based on this year's theme Kindness is a Renewable Resource.    There are junior and senior grade awards.  Speak to Ms. Ellis for more details!

Terry Fox

Today is the day to show your Spartan Spirit for the Terry Fox Walk!  Don't forget to toss in some loose change and make some last minute donations!  Teachers please stick to the schedule and make sure your students are socially distancing while walking!  Let's get out there and have some fun today!

Quad 2 Timetables

Students with a period 1 spare can pick up thier timetable for Quadmester 2 in the office.

2020 Covid-19 Olympics

This week is the Grand Finale for our 2020 Covid-19 Olympics.  Our event will take place tomorrow at 2pm.  All items for the event are in your classroom.  A Google meet link will be sent out.  Remember to send your final times to Mrs. Watson and be on Google meet at 2pm to Qualify.  Prizes for both Tik Tok Tuesdays and Covid Olympics will be handed out this week.

Grad Photos

Edge Imaging will be here at the school on Wednesday, December 2^nd and Thursday, December 3^rd to take Grade 12 graduation photos and help you celebrate this moment. Your $30 sitting fee includes a professional portrait session with traditional gown and sash poses on contemporary and traditional backgrounds.   You will also receive a class composite and folder.  Please sign up for your photo session online at bookmygrad.ca and use the School Code: KPH. For more information please check out the Edge Imaging website at edgeimaging.ca/graduation or stop by the main office.

Tik Tok Tuesday's

Tik Tok Tuesday Judges have tallied their results and Mrs. Coughler’s Class placed 3^rd, with Mr. Walker’s Class (Thank you Olivia and Mrs. Schroeder) a strong 2^nd and the overall winner goes to Mrs. Wallace’s Class. Prizes will be handed out tomorrow at lunch in room 128 for those in Mrs. Wallace’s Gr. 10 Math Class. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Timetables-Quad 2

Students with a period 1 spare can pick up their timetable for Quadmester 2 at the office.

Edge Imaging will be here at the school on Wednesday, December 2^nd and Thursday, December 3^rd to take Grade 12 graduation photos and help you celebrate this moment. Please sign up for your photo session online at bookmygrad.ca and use the School Code: KPH. For more information please check out the Edge Imaging website at edgeimaging.ca/graduation. 

Tik Tok Challenge

A reminder to Mrs. Wallace’s Gr. 10 Academic Math Class to pick up their prize for the Tik Tok Tuesday Challenge in room 128 today at lunch.

SAC Meeting

The SAC Meeting today at lunch is cancelled. We will meet again next Wednesday

Covid-19 2020 Olympics

The 2020 Covid19 Olympics has come to an end and we want to thank everyone for participating. Our final results are being tallied and the winning classroom will be announce by the days end. We are looking forward to Quad 2 next week and some more school spirit activities to come.

Grad Photos

Edge Imaging will be here at the school on Wednesday, December 2^nd and Thursday, December 3^rd to take Grade 12 graduation photos and help you celebrate this moment. Your $30 sitting fee includes a professional portrait session with traditional gown and sash poses on contemporary and traditional backgrounds.   You will also receive a class composite and folder.  Please sign up for your photo session online at bookmygrad.ca and use the School Code: KPH. For more information please check out the Edge Imaging website at edgeimaging.ca/graduation or stop by the main office.

Grad Photos

Edge Imaging will be here at the school on Wednesday, December 2^nd and Thursday, December 3^rd to take Grade 12 graduation photos and help you celebrate this moment. Your $30 sitting fee includes a professional portrait session with traditional gown and sash poses on contemporary and traditional backgrounds.   You will also receive a class composite and folder.  Please sign up for your photo session online at bookmygrad.ca and use the School Code: KPH. For more information please check out the Edge Imaging website at edgeimaging.ca/graduation or stop by the main office.

COVID 19 Olympics

The results are in and we have our top 3 2020 COVID 19 Olympic medalists. The first on the podium placing 3^rd overall was Ms. Harnden’s Class, placing 2^nd was Ms. Stewart’s Class and taking the gold medal was Ms. Boyce’s Class. Prizes will be distributed today. 3^rd place is hot chocolate, marshmellows and a sucker, 2^nd place is donuts and 1^st place will be getting pizza. Thank you to all the classes who participated and we look forward to the next quadmester!

The KPR Board has made an important change to how we handle inclement weather days (snow days) this winter. We wish to let all families know that schools will be closed on inclement weather days this year, to protect student health.

We know school closures are an inconvenience and hardship for parents and families. Ultimately, however, we must ensure student well-being at all times. To meet public health requirements and maintain student health, we are not able to combine groups or “cohorts” of students who attend school when buses are cancelled. We also cannot ensure that our schools would have enough staff on-site during snow days to safely supervise the much smaller groups of students in their existing cohorts. 

Therefore, if all buses are cancelled to a school, a region of schools or all schools board-wide, those schools will be closed for the day.

More specifically:

• when ALL buses are cancelled across the entire board, ALL schools will be closed for the day
• when ALL buses are cancelled within a specific geographic region of the board, such as the Municipality of Clarington, Northumberland County or Peterborough County, schools in that region only will be closed for the day
• and, finally, if ALL buses are cancelled for a specific school or group of schools, only that school or group of schools will be closed for the day.

When only a few buses are cancelled, or buses are delayed, schools will remain open.

Schools will provide learning for students to work at home on these days in a variety of ways, either through previously assigned or new work through the classroom teachers’ regular communication platforms, based on the age and grade of the students. Virtual elementary and secondary school programming on snow days will continue as normal.

We will inform families of school closures on snow days in several ways, including local news media, on www.kprschools.ca, through our social media channels (@kprschools on Twitter and Facebook), and by email or text from SchoolMessenger.

Please ensure that your school has up-to-date contact information for you, so that we can text or email you directly about what is happening at your child’s or teen’s school. You can sign up for our direct text service by sending a text message to 978338 with the message of “Y” or “Yes”.

For further information, please see the letter emailed to all families November 25 from Director of Education Jennifer Leclerc, or visit www.kprschools.ca

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit reminds parents/guardians, students and staff to screen for symptoms each day before going to school.  Resources are in place to help you make the right call:

• Ontario’s COVID-19 School Screening Tool (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/) – Answer questions in this online tool to see if you should go to school or day care.
• Schools and COVID-19 (hkpr.on.ca/2020/09/16/covid-19-and-schools/) – Visit this Health Unit webpage for resources and guidance on keeping our school safe during COVID-19.

If you are unsure about your symptoms and what to do next, call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5020.  

If you require additional support with COVID-19, please contact the School Health Team at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1508. 

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit reminds parents/guardians, students and staff to screen for symptoms each day before going to school.  Resources are in place to help you make the right call:

• Ontario’s COVID-19 School Screening Tool (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/) – Answer questions in this online tool to see if you should go to school or day care.
• Schools and COVID-19 (hkpr.on.ca/2020/09/16/covid-19-and-schools/) – Visit this Health Unit webpage for resources and guidance on keeping our school safe during COVID-19.

If you are unsure about your symptoms and what to do next, call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5020.  

If you require additional support with COVID-19, please contact the School Health Team at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1508. 

Spirit Week

Good morning Spartans! In celebration of the last week of school before holidays, SAC has organized a holiday spirit week. Each day of the week will have a new spirit activity. Monday is red and white day, Tuesday is ugly holiday sweater day, Wednesday will be a holiday trivia kahoot, Thursday is decorate your mask day, and Friday is pajama day. Get ready to show your holiday spirit spartans, we hope you have your red and white on! Remember, get your ugliest holiday sweater ready for tomorrow!

Spirit Week

Good morning Spartans! We hope you're ready for the ultimate competition, holiday kahoot. Get ready to compete with your class to see who has the most christmas spirit! Tomorrow we’ll relax with some holiday mask decorating, and then Friday will be pajama day. Best of luck!

2021/22 Course Selection

Students are reminded that Course Selections for next school year are due by Friday December 18^th. Please use myblueprint to chose and submit your courses online. All Students are now able to submit their choices.

Youth Paint Night

The Port Hope Youth Action Committee is hosting a Youth Paint Night on December 29th between 6-8pm.  It's a free event.  To register, visit the Municipality of Port Hope website and to to "Youth Programs and Activities".  Hope to see you there!

Spirit Week

Good morning Spartans! It’s here, holiday mask decorating day. Show your festivity covid style with a holiday mask. Also, remember to lay out your coziest PJs for pajama day tomorrow, school appropriate of course! Happy holidays Spartans, we hope to see your spirit today throughout the school!

Course Selection

Students are reminded that Course Selections for next school year are due by Friday December 18^th. Please use myblueprint to chose and submit your courses online. All Students are now able to submit their choices.

Youth Paint Night

The Port Hope Youth Action Committee is hosting a Youth Paint Night on December 29th between 6-8pm.  It's a free event.  To register, visit the Municipality of Port Hope website and go to "Youth Programs and Activities".  Hope to see you there!

Happy New Year!  Virtual classes for high school students will resume on Monday, January 4/21 and continue until Friday, January 22/21.  Please check your classroom page (Google Classroom, Edsby or D2L) for more detailed information from your teacher. 

Jan 04-Jan 08 = Week 1 courses

Jan 11-Jan 15 = Week 2 courses

Jan 18 -Jan 22 = Week 1 courses

During the weeks of January 4^th - January 22^nd classes will follow our usual timetable, running from 8:30 - 2:30 with provided breaks.   More information on final assessments and culminating tasks will follow from your classroom teachers.   We’re looking forward to connecting with everyone on Monday, January 4^th @ 8:30 am.

Course Selections for the 2021-2022 Year has begun and a HUGE THANK YOU to those who have already submitted your choices. If you have not already done so (this needs to be completed by those of you who are graduating this year as well) please take a moment to log into myblueprint  from the KPR Student Portal https://kprweb.kprdsb.ca/students and select your courses or tell us that you are not returning and why. If you are in need of help please contact Mrs. Watson through edsby or email karen_watson@kprdsb.ca 

Welcome back everyone.  You are reminded of the importance of wearing a mask and socially distancing while at school:

1) All students must wear masks.

2) Outdoors,  students must wear masks if they cannot physically distance by 2 metres.

3) Students must be socially distancing at all times and avoid meeting in groups of more than 2-3 at a time.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday, January 25th!

Monday, February 1^st is a PA Day, the school will be closed to students on that day.  We will see everyone Tuesday, February 2^nd for the start of Quadmester 3. 

Driver’s Education forms are available in the office and on EDSBY.  Students must pay by School cash online first and then submit the form. Once payment and the form are received students will be registered with the On-Line Platform and on the MTO database.  For more information check out EDSBY or stop by the office for a form. 

Canopy Support Services, together with Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is offering a free after-school group to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Please see the attached letter for more information.

Please join us in showing bullying is never acceptable, by wearing pink on Wednesday, February 24^th!

Attention graduating students!  This is a reminder to please hand in your completed community service hours to the main office as soon as possible. Community service hours must be submitted in order to receive your Ontario Secondary School diploma and participate in our Graduation Ceremonies.  For students graduating in the 2020-21 school year only, The Ministry of Education is revising the 40-hour community involvement graduation requirement, reducing it to a minimum of 20 hours.  Additionally, for students graduating this year only, you can use up to 10 hours of paid employment towards your community involvement requirement by completing a reflection exercise, and having it reviewed by Mr. Macdonald.  For more information, please contact the main office or speak to Mrs. Gavel or Mrs. Watson in Guidance.

Yearbook

Attention 2021 Graduates: We are making a school yearbook and we need you to submit a quote and fill out a fun student and teacher poll. Please keep an eye on your school email and Edsby for the link and more information!

Community Service Hours

Attention graduating students!  This is a reminder to please hand in your completed community service hours to the main office as soon as possible. Community service hours must be submitted in order to receive your Ontario Secondary School diploma and participate in our Graduation Ceremonies.  For students graduating in the 2020-21 school year only, The Ministry of Education is revising the 40-hour community involvement graduation requirement, reducing it to a minimum of 20 hours.  Additionally, for students graduating this year only, you can use up to 10 hours of paid employment towards your community involvement requirement by completing a reflection exercise, and having it reviewed by Mr. Macdonald.  For more information, please contact the main office or speak to Mrs. Gavel or Mrs. Watson in Guidance.

Bursary Applications

Attention Graduates the Port Hope Ladies Auxiliary Branch 30 Bursary and the Port Hope Legion Branch 30 Bursary Applications are now posted in Edsby the Deadline is May 15th. Please complete the application and give it to Mrs. Watson or Mrs. Gavel.

BETA SIGMA PHI SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Applications due May 15th.
The value of the bursary is $1000.

Candidates must:
1. Be graduating in June of the current school year or who have taken a gap year (students cannot have attended a post-secondary program

2.  Be a resident of Northumberland County
3. Be attending Port Hope High School, St Mary Catholic Secondary School, or Cobourg Collegiate Institute.

For more information and an application form check out the Edsby Gr. 12 Group

SAC/Yearbook Meetings

A reminder that there is a SAC meeting today at lunch, please be prompt. There is also a Yearbook Meeting at 3pm using Google Meet.

Volunteer Opportunity 

The Help Centre of Northumberland is looking for a student that needs to complete Community Hours and is interested and willing to work with a low-income older adult.

A female older adult needs support with cleaning up certain areas of their home; closet space, storage room, kitchen cupboards and drawers.

The student would be responsible for helping the older adult with organizing those spaces and either throwing out or donating items the older adult no longer needs. The student will not have to take items to the donation centre, the senior service helper will take care of that.

Please contact the Senior Servicer Helper, Krysta at The Help Centre 905-372-2646 if interested in this position.

Krysta will liaise between the student and the older adult and provide some supervision for the student to make sure everything is handled correctly.

Please see the attached updated school protocols from the HKPR District Health Unit. 

Spartan Clothing

Spartan Clothing is on sale again.  Hoodies, sweatpants, hats and more.  Check out School Cash Online to see the merchandise and to place your order.  Deadline for ordering is March 31^st.

Spartan Advisory Council

Spartan Advisory Council or Student Government are looking for a group of student leaders for the upcoming school year. We believe there is power in numbers and power in working together to keep PHHS an awesome place to attend High School!  Apply today! Application Forms available online in Edsby. Watch the promotional video in class today or tomorrow and for more information please see Mrs. Watson or Mrs. Gavel in room 128.

Yearbook

Attention 2021 Graduates: We are making a school yearbook and we need you to submit a quote and fill out a fun student and teacher poll. Please keep an eye on your school email and Edsby for the link and more information!

Community Service Hours

Attention graduating students!  This is a reminder to please hand in your completed community service hours to the main office as soon as possible. Community service hours must be submitted in order to receive your Ontario Secondary School diploma and participate in our Graduation Ceremonies.  For students graduating in the 2020-21 school year only, The Ministry of Education is revising the 40-hour community involvement graduation requirement, reducing it to a minimum of 20 hours.  Additionally, for students graduating this year only, you can use up to 10 hours of paid employment towards your community involvement requirement by completing a reflection exercise, and having it reviewed by Mr. Macdonald.  For more information, please contact the main office or speak to Mrs. Gavel or Mrs. Watson in Guidance.

Bursary Applications

Attention Graduates the Port Hope Ladies Auxiliary Branch 30 Bursary and the Port Hope Legion Branch 30 Bursary Applications are now posted in Edsby the Deadline is May 15th. Please complete the application and give it to Mrs. Watson or Mrs. Gavel.

BETA SIGMA PHI SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Applications due May 15th.
The value of the bursary is $1000.

Candidates must:
1. Be graduating in June of the current school year or who have taken a gap year (students cannot have attended a post-secondary program

2. Be a resident of Northumberland County
3. Be attending Port Hope High School, St Mary Catholic Secondary School, or Cobourg Collegiate Institute.

For more information and an application form check out the Edsby Gr. 12 Group

Volunteer Opportunity 

The Help Centre of Northumberland is looking for a student that needs to complete Community Hours and is interested and willing to work with a low-income older adult.

A female older adult needs support with cleaning up certain areas of their home; closet space, storage room, kitchen cupboards and drawers.

The student would be responsible for helping the older adult with organizing those spaces and either throwing out or donating items the older adult no longer needs. The student will not have to take items to the donation centre, the senior service helper will take care of that.

Please contact the Senior Servicer Helper, Krysta at The Help Centre 905-372-2646 if interested in this position.

Krysta will liaise between the student and the older adult and provide some supervision for the student to make sure everything is handled correctly.

As this is an unusual year due to the Pandemic, the types of activities that can be used for your 20 community involvement hours has been adjusted. In addition to activities previously listed, please refer to the list below for additional ideas:

1. Providing tutoring and mentorship supports through:
- Virtual tutoring to help students with reading, communication and/or other skills
- Teaching online music or dance lessons
- Hosting art classes for younger students
- Assisting siblings and/or younger students with online learning and schoolwork

2. Connecting with and supporting seniors by:
- Conversing with seniors virtually, for example, acting as technology mentors or providing a regular check-in to address isolation and build cross-generational friendships
- Joining or creating a letter-writing campaign to seniors
- Delivering groceries to elderly/immunocompromised neighbours

3. Supports for families, neighbourhoods and community initiatives:
- Supporting a family by walking a younger child to and from school
- Participating in donation pick-ups for not-for-profit organizations
- Coordinating a donation event with a local organization such as a shelter
- Facilitating discussions with newcomer youth or families to help them learn about their new community
- Sewing masks to donate to social agencies
- Shoveling snow and/or performing yard work for a family or neighbour’s family due to extenuating circumstances
- Taking part in neighbourhood litter-pick-up hour

4. Utilizing social media to connect with their community by:
- Organizing a virtual reading or math activity for their feeder elementary schools
- Creating a transition support video for Grade 8 students
- Doing a musical performance that could provide entertainment for seniors
- Encouraging people to donate through various social media platforms to food banks or other not-for-profit organizations
- Creating a flyer for promotion on social media for a local cause

5. If you have any other idea, please ask!

KPRDSB has designated Friday, April 9, 2021 as a Credit Completion Day for secondary school students. Secondary students will not attend school in person on this day and may connect with their teachers online. This day will be used by teachers to provide feedback to students on their culminating tasks, support students at risk of not attaining a credit and prepare for a safe start to the next quadmester beginning on April 19, 2021. Elementary students will attend school as usual.

KPRDSB has designated Friday, April 9, 2021 as a Credit Completion Day for secondary school students. Secondary students will not attend school in person on this day and may connect with their teachers online. This day will be used by teachers to provide feedback to students on their culminating tasks, support students at risk of not attaining a credit and prepare for a safe start to the next quadmester beginning on April 19, 2021. Elementary students will attend school as usual.

April 14, 2021 

Dear Dr. M.S. Hawkins Senior PS, Parents and Guardians,  

As always, the well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. With that in mind, we have been informed by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit of a positive case of COVID-19 at the school. The identity of this individual is protected by privacy legislation and will not be shared. They will remain at home in isolation until the health unit says they can return to school. We wish them a full and speedy recovery. 

As part of their investigation, the health unit has determined that this individual was not at school while they were infectious. As a result, the health unit has confirmed that this case does not pose additional risk to our students or staff.  

We appreciate that this news may be concerning for our students, staff and parents, and we want to assure everyone that we continue to work closely with HKPR District Health Unit to respond to this issue.  

In addition to our daily pandemic cleaning protocols, which include increased cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces, and thorough cleanings in the evenings, KPR schools are regularly disinfected on a rotating basis with an electro-static sprayer. The Clorox Total 360 System is approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19; it kills cold and flu viruses, MRSA and norovirus in two minutes or less, kills 99.9% of bacteria in five seconds and can even sanitize soft surfaces. It has been used effectively in schools and other education settings for several years.    

Our school will be disinfected by the electro-static sprayer this week.   

To protect yourselves, your children and the community, the health unit recommends that you stay home if you are sick; complete daily self-screening; continue to physically distance from others as much as possible; wear a mask when indoors, on a bus, or when you cannot maintain a two metre distance outside; clean hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer; cough and sneeze into your sleeve; avoid touching your face; avoiding sharing personal items with others; and avoid close contact with anyone who is ill. For more information regarding COVID-19 visit https://www.hkpr.on.ca/covid-19 

We will continue to follow all health recommendations, and take all steps directed by the health unit. If you would like further information on the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board’s COVID-19 protocols, please visit http://kprschools.ca/en/COVID-19.html  

For information in different languages, please visit Multilingual COVID-19 Resources | Public Health Ontario 

We will continue to let families know of any further developments.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.   

Sincerely,  

Ron MacDonald, Principal

Dr. Hawkins and Port Hope High School

Voluntary Asymptomatic Testing Clinic at Port Hope High School

The school board continues to support the Targeted Testing in Schools Program under the direction of Ministry of Education representatives, along with local Medical Offices of Health.  Testing clinics are being offered on a rotating basis throughout the board and are run by LifeLabs, Canada’s largest medical laboratory, to provide free COVID-19 testing for all students and their family members, teachers, and staff.  COVID-19 testing is voluntary and only for asymptomatic individuals (those who are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms).

A voluntary COVID-19 testing clinic will be available for students, staff and their family members in your area on Saturday, May 1, 2021. 

If you are interested in participating, testing will be available:

• Date: Saturday, May 1, 2021
• Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Port Hope High School, Gym, 130 Highland Dr, Port Hope, ON
• Please enter through the main doors.  LifeLabs’ staff and signage will be onsite to help direct you.

There is no pre-registration for this clinic, participants will be registered upon arrival.  An Ontario Health Card is required to participate in the testing.  

Shorter swab = less discomfort!
The test process is very simple and safe and the collection site will be staffed by professionals who will be following a multitude of safety parameters.  The test is less invasive than previous options and uses a shorter nasal swab (like a Q-tip) that doesn’t reach as far back in the nose.  After the sample is collected, the test results will then be available within 24-48 hours at https://covid19results.ehealthontario.ca:4443/agree.

In accordance with Public Health guidelines, all attendees are screened and required to answer three questions upon arrival at our clinics: 

1. Are you presently in self-isolation / quarantine due to travel history or have you been told to self-isolate by public health?
2. Do you have any new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19?  These include: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, extreme fatigue or tiredness, body aches, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, loss of appetite, headache, nausea or vomiting.
3. Have you had or been recommended to have a COVID-19 test by a medical health professional or public health within the last 14 days?

Anyone who answers YES to any of these questions will be turned away and directed to a COVID-19 assessment centre for testing.

If a student or staff member is part of a class (or cohort) that has been dismissed from school, and has been told to self-isolate due to potential exposure to a COVID positive person in their class, they will not be allowed to come into the clinic for testing.  They should utilize the public system and obtain testing at an alternate location, like a hospital-run assessment centre, that has been established to handle symptomatic individuals and those with known exposure to COVID positive individuals. 

For more information about LifeLabs EDU Targeted Testing programs check out www.lifelabs.com/covid-19-updates/covid19-pcr-testing-for-schools/.  

Thank you for considering this opportunity,