 Impact of School Closures and Mental Health Strategy
There are two new COVID-19 resources to share with the community.
- Impact of School Closures - The BC Center for Disease Control released a report last week on the Impact of School Closures on Learning, Child and Family Well-Being. This report evaluates the cost and benefits of school closure as a response to a pandemic. The authors summarize what has been learned about the transmission of this virus with respect to children and specifically in a school-based setting. In addition to a loss of learning opportunities for students, this paper looks more broadly at connections between school closure and a decline in children’s mental health and food security combined with increased
family conflict and inequality. The conclusion from the evidence in this report is that “a return to school while posing some risk of COVID-19, offers greater societal and individual benefits than continuing to keep schools closed.”
- Mental Health in Schools Strategy - The BC Ministry of Education has released a Mental Health in Schools (MHiS) Strategy. With Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) beginning on October 4 and World Mental Health Day on October 10, a review of the research and resources provided through this strategy is timely. The full document outlines the Ministry of Education’s commitment to moving forward with a coherent system-wide approach to mental health promotion in schools. The Mental Health in Schools Strategy focuses on three main elements – Compassionate Systems Leadership, Capacity Building, and Mental Health in the
Classroom – which build upon a foundation of social emotional learning that has developed in BC over the past decade. The MHiS Strategy is layering mental health promotion as a next step in system transformation. The supporting website connects the reader to outside agencies and organizations that educate and support a range of general and specific mental health topics and issues. A bookmark on this site is a good place to begin building awareness and connecting with help when required.
Conversation with Admissions
Join the Admissions Team for a virtual Q&A on Thursday, October 8 at 9:30 am. Richard Cohee, Director, Admissions, and his team will lead a discussion about the admissions process and financial assistance (for new students entering Grade 8) and there will be an opportunity for questions.
We know that many extraordinary students come to Crofton House through word-of-mouth from our community. This session will leave parents better informed about the admissions process and financial assistance. Please RSVP by Wednesday, October 7 to attend.
Reminder: Pick-Up Uniform Shop Orders
If you have received a notice from the Uniform Shop that your order is ready, please pick up the order from the receiving area (5711 Balaclava Street) from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm as soon as possible.
Traffic Safety
Managing traffic safety on the campus and surrounding streets is very important for the Crofton House School community and our neighbours. Local streets can be crowded during peak times and West 41st Avenue is a busy traffic artery. Please drive carefully and obey all traffic regulations and rules of the road. This includes not stopping or parking too close to stop signs or in a manner that blocks driveways or lanes.
Our goal is to ensure safe traffic conditions for everyone. We ask that you take extra care when driving and walking around the campus perimeter. Provident Security, with the support of our facilities team, continues to support safe pedestrian crossing at the Blenheim Street gate, control the traffic entering and exiting the roundabout, and assist at the crosswalks on Balaclava Street and West 41st Avenue.
Please take a moment to read the School’s traffic guidelines.
Vidigami Update
Vidigami, a useful tool for viewing, sharing, and archiving school photos, has launched for the 2020-2021 school year. Invitations were sent out to new parents earlier today. Returning parents are able to log in with their existing username and password to access or upload photos.
Access to Campus: Staff and Students Only
At this time, only students, employees and individuals directly providing school programming or services can access campus. Parents and guardians are not permitted on campus with the following exceptions:
- Junior and Senior Kindergarten parents or guardians who are permitted to be on the Junior Kindergarten Terrace and Senior Kindergarten Terrace for drop-off/pick-up.
- Parents or guardians who have been called to pick up an ill student.
Please note: Dropping off forgotten items for students is not an exception to this rule. Orders from the Uniform Shop must be picked up from Receiving (5711 Balaclava, south of the roundabout) after you have received your invoice and pick-up notice.
Orange Shirt Day was an important opportunity for students to learn about the residential school system and to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope.
On Friday, October 2, students and staff dressed in pink to show their support of Think Pink Day, a day for breast cancer awareness. Run for the Cure takes place Sunday, October 4. There’s still time to join the CHS Junior School or Senior School teams in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Grade 10 students experienced everything from scorching sun to pounding rain during Outdoor Education last week. Read more about their adventures and how everyone can embrace outdoor education.
A break in the weather gave Grade 7 girls in Photography Club the chance to practice composition and the “Rule of Thirds” during this photography session.
With plenty of life and colour in the bushes and trees on campus, the Grade 4 Watercolour Wonders club enjoyed painting outdoors.
Activities Galore in the Senior School went virtual this year, like many other elements of life here on campus. Here, a member of Tech Crew gets an overview of the School’s livestreaming set-up.
It has been wonderful to see our student athletes back in action as our fall season begins. We are grateful to our coaches and teachers for being part of an amazing return to sports, with full participation. They are supervising the students during their pre-practice snacks, hand sanitizing, and equipment set up; coaching practices/runs; and then sanitizing equipment, cones, and benches after each practice! A thank you to the coaching/teaching team for stepping up in every way and facilitating a strong return to athletics. Thank you!
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