Today marks the end of the first full week back at school, and I am pleased to say, things are going well so far. On campus, students and staff are adjusting to the new routines, and I know that at home, routines will have changed as well to accommodate the new “school normal.” I want to thank you for your help with making our return to campus so smooth: it has been a pleasure to have your daughters with us again.

One of the defining features of this academic year will be live streamed events, such as our two recent Information Sessions on the Return to Campus Plans. Thank you for your virtual attendance: we wish we could have you back on campus as well, and appreciate your presence on screen in the meantime. We have tried to capture some of the key questions in a new FAQ document: we realize there is a lot of information to absorb and we hope you find this format useful in highlighting some key aspects.

In the Information Sessions, I mentioned that the Return to Campus documents would be revised as we received updated guidance from the Public Health Office, BC Centre for Disease Control, and the Ministry of Education. In this newsletter, you will find links to the first of such updates to our Exposure Control Plan and the Return to Campus Handbook. Sections where we have made updates are highlighted for ease of reference. These documents, along with the updated BCCDC and provincial health and safety guidelines can be found on the Return to Campus page under “My CHS.”

In particular, I would like to draw your attention to two areas of the Return to Campus Handbook. There is a helpful flowchart in Appendix B with information from the BCCDC showing what actions public health would take in response to a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a school. There is also additional information on returning to school after experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms on page 16.

Changes and uncertainty can make us feel anxious and vulnerable: I am aware that for many in our community, the return to campus has been a big step. I want you to know that staff continue to focus on your daughters’ well-being and on ensuring that they feel safe and valued. As Dr. Newlove (BC Children's Hospital Head of Psychology & Clinical Psychologist) shared in her session with staff, compassion and understanding should be guiding our interactions at this time. We look forward to you joining us in her forthcoming session on Trauma-Informed Practice (or perspective-based approach) on October 1.

As we find our way together to the “new balance” that Dr. Bonnie Henry often mentions, we will need to be thoughtful in our interactions both on campus and off. I know I can count on our community to continue to do the right thing, to support each other and to be kind.

I wish you a safe and happy weekend,

Ena Harrop
Head of School

Updated Return to Campus Plan and Exposure Control Plan

The Stage 2 Return to Campus Plan and Exposure Control Plan have been updated and can be found on the Return to Campus page under "My CHS." Sections where we have made updates are highlighted for ease of reference. Updated topics include:

• Physical Distancing
• Staying Home and Returning to School
• The Role of Public Health
• Communication in the Event of a Confirmed Case
• Public Health Actions in Response to Confirmed Case

Frequently Asked Questions: Return to Campus Info Session

The School has prepared an FAQ with helpful information from the Return to Campus Information Sessions. The FAQ covers topics such as what to do if you are feeling ill, the meaning of exposure versus outbreak, and specific Junior and Senior School concerns. Thank you to the parents who provided thoughtful questions that helped form the FAQ.

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 (JK) Terrace and Senior Kindergarten (SK) Terrace for drop-off/pick-up purposes, only.
• Parents or guardians who have been called to pick up an ill student.

Please note: Dropping off forgotten items is not an exception to this rule. Orders from the Uniform Shop should be picked up from Receiving (5711 Balaclava, south of the roundabout) after you have received your invoice and pick-up notice.

Virtual Parent Evening: Navigating with Empathy and Compassion

Crofton House School and CHS Parents’ Auxiliary invite parents to attend a virtual evening with Dr. Theresa Newlove on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 7:00 pm via Livestream. Dr. Newlove is an expert in Trauma Informed Practice (TIP) which reinforces the importance of putting empathy and compassion foremost in all interactions.

This session will help CHS parents better understand how this approach informs social-emotional teaching and learn how these strategies can be applied at home. As we learned in our teacher sessions, the more participation, the stronger the outcomes for students. That’s why parents are encouraged to get acquainted with TIP by reviewing the video below, and submitting questions in advance. Watch for an email with the live stream information this week.

Run for the Cure CHS Team

Since we can’t meet in person this year, the CIBC Run for the Cure has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind experience with both physical and virtual components. Run for the Cure takes place Sunday, October 4. There’s still time to join the CHS team in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Register before Monday, September 21, 2020 to receive your "Run for the Cure" t-shirt in advance of the big day. T-shirts will be mailed to participants who raise the minimum fundraising thresholds ($60+ for youth and $150+ for adults). Join the Crofton House Junior School team or Senior School team. Learn more.

Photo Day on Monday, September 28

Please be reminded that photo day will take place on Monday, September 28 and students should wear their #1 uniform to school. Uniform requirements can be found on page 68 (Junior School) and page 92 (Senior School) of the Parent-Student Handbook.

School-Based Immunization Clinics On-Hold

Vancouver Coastal Health will not be holding any immunization clinics at schools this fall. However, the School Age Immunization Campaign continues and Krista Stoilen, the Child & Youth Public Health Nurse who supports the clinics at Crofton House School, urges parents to keep student immunizations up-to-date. As per the Vaccine Status Reporting Regulation, all school-aged children enrolled in public and independent schools in BC, including international students, are required to report their vaccination history to public health. Visit Immunize BC for information on immunization registration and schedules and Vancouver Coast Health as your local source for how to keep your child’s immunization records current, immunization locations, and other health resources.

A Unique Back to School

It is a back-to-school season like no other—though not the first time Crofton House School has had to adjust to a pandemic! As our Head Girl reminds us, in the words of Beyoncé Knowles: “if everything were perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow.” Read more.

Grade 12 students were delighted to welcome back their fellow Coftonians with an array of uplifting signs and cheering.

Our Crofton Falcon was excited to help welcome Junior School and ECE students as they returned to school, complete with bubbles!

Our ECE school had a special visit with Elsa from Frozen. Junior and Senior Kindergarten classes sat enthralled as she taught them the importance of good hand hygiene through song. If you have little ones at home, they might also enjoy this new take on an old standard:

"Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes,
Knees and toes,
We can safely touch all those,
But not our eyes, mouth or nose.
... 'cause that is where the germies go!"

While the Senior School Opening Assemblies of 2020-2021 may have looked different, they remained just as meaningful to students, staff and parents who joined via live stream. Congratulations to the new Student Executive and the students who received awards.

Grade 7 students were led through their orientation and sash ceremony last week. Every girl pledged Courage, Creativity, and Citizenship in exchange for her sash. The sashes represent a commitment to leadership, listening, supporting, caring for others, being fair and doing the right thing—just to name a few.

Girls have been adapting to the new changes around campus. Social distancing between cohorts may require everyone to be more spread out, but there is still a wonderful feeling of community around the school.

Sofie R, Grade 11, was recently named an honouree for the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The organization celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from diverse backgrounds all across North America and recognized Sofie’s work to support girls’ education in Africa..

Senior School volleyball, field hockey and cross country will return in the first term under new COVID-19 guidelines. All key athletics information will be communicated directly to students, who are responsible for updating parents.

Grade 7 Volleyball tryouts: Students who are interested in playing volleyball this term should attend the tryout on Wednesday, September 23 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in Chan Hall. Students should wear PHE-strip and running shoes or court shoes and bring their water bottle.

Junior School athletics practices for cross country and volleyball teams will begin the week of September 28. Important practice information will be posted on your team Seesaw page.

We are using all our spaces to ensure physically distancing between cohorts! Grade 9 students practicing in Chan Hall.

Dear Parents & Guardians,

A very special welcome to this unique 2020-2021 school year. Despite the circumstances we find ourselves in, be assured that Crofton House School’s community spirit continues to flourish!

Last June, we adapted the annual PA Backpack Drive and had a record response. Thanks to everyone who supported this effort, and the amazing volunteers who organized it, we filled 374 backpacks for children in need in Vancouver. Imagine them now on the backs of kids who were able to start this year with a full complement of new school supplies. Together, we made a difference. Recently, we held the PA Used Uniform Sale, and again adapted it by allowing for distanced, outdoor shopping. It too was a success!

Going forward, the community traditions that we have all grown to love will continue in this adapted way. Although our in-person Welcome Back BBQ had to be cancelled, a group of creative parent volunteers have planned a beautiful and safe way to help students collaboratively celebrate and welcome this new school year together—watch your inbox for pictures.

Traditionally, the Whole Girl, Whole World speaker series would be held in September. This year, Crofton House School and the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary will host a series of virtual speaker evenings to help parents navigate these uncharted waters and learn how to best support their daughters. The first of these events will take place on October 1. Recognizing that during this unusual time, compassion and empathy will be more important than ever in our interactions and in the way we support each other, we are excited that our first speaker will be Dr Theresa Newlove, an expert in Trauma Informed Practice.

I encourage you to join the distanced events in your grade and participate, when possible, in all our community has to offer. Although we are apart, the strong, vibrant community that defines Crofton House School is unwavering—we will continue to share our parenting journey together, foster our friendships, and celebrate this wonderful community we are all a part of.

Kris Dattani
Chair, CHS Parents' Auxiliary

Log into the My CHS portal to access the full school calendar.

September 21 - Grade 1-5 Virtual Curriculum Information Evening for parents, 6:30 pm
September 22-24 - Grade 10 Outdoor Education
September 23 - Early Dismissal Wednesday, Grade 8 to12
September 23 - ECE Virtual Curriculum Information Evening for parents, 6:30 pm September 25 - Professional Development Day: No Classes
September 28 - School Photo Day, Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12
September 30 - Orange Shirt Day
October 2 - Pink Shirt Day, Breast Cancer Awareness