September 7th, 2020

We wish a warm welcome back to our returning students, and a special welcome to our newest grade nines and families new to the area.

We are excited to get back in our building with our students. The health, safety, and well-being of all who attend WCI is our greatest priority.   

School will start at 8:15 am and all students will be dismissed at 12:45 pm.  

How do I know if I am in Cohort A or B?

Please DO NOT attend the school until you know your cohort.

If you ride a school bus, you are able to find out your cohort information by checking the Student Transportation Website (STSWR).  Your cohort letter is written beside the route number (Route 283B, student in cohort B) and was determined by home address.  You will need your OEN Number, which you can find on a copy of the report card, to log-in to the Parent Portal to find your bus route.  

For students who are not bussed to school – do NOT use STSWR, it is not correct.  Your cohort information will be provided to you via a phone call (and email if we have your address)  starting on Tuesday, September 8th for grade nines – if you do not receive a call by 1PM on Tuesday then please call the school.  Grade 10 to 12 will hear on either  Wednesday, September 9th or Thursday September 10th – if you do not hear by 1PM on Thursday Sept. 10th please call the school.  During this call your teacher will also tell you either the designated entrance and the room to go to OR they will tell you where to find your online classroom materials.

When do I start school?

Grade Nines – You will meet your class on the Football Field

Grade nine Cohort A students will attend WCI on Wednesday, September 9th. 

Grade nine Cohort B students will attend WCI on Thursday, September 10th. 

Note: On Friday Sept. 11 Cohort B Grade nines will come to class for Course 1 and cohort A Grade nines will be engaged in online learning for Course 1.

English Language Learners

Depending on your English Language course you may or may not be cohorted.  Your teacher will call you and tell you when your first day of school will be.

Grade 10-12

Cohort A – Start ONLINE instruction on Friday September 11th

Cohort B – Start IN-SCHOOL instruction on Friday September 11th

Arriving at School

Don’t forget to maintain your distance! Keep a minimum of 2m apart whenever possible, and make sure you’re wearing a face mask.

Students will not be able to enter the building until the doors are unlocked at 8:00 AM.  When you enter the school someone will be there to provide you with hand sanitizer and ensure you have a mask.  You will be expected to go directly to your classroom.  Please note that due to COVID and strict cohorts parents are asked not to attend the school.  If parents are dropping students off please remain in your car.  No visitors will be allowed inside the school.

Designated Entrances: 

All students will have a designated entrance. Please use only the specified entrance for your classroom. Your teachers will share this information with you when they call. 

Bussed Students:

Please be prepared that you may have to wait outside until 8:00 AM if your bus drops you off earlier.

 Students not Bussed:

Please plan to arrive between 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM, please proceed directly to the door you were designated.  If you arrive late you will need to enter at the main entrance.  

 ALL STUDENTS

Course changes and student timetables

In order to support the launch of the WRDSB Distance Learning Program (DLP) the WCI timetable had to undergo significant changes.  Those changes have now been finalized.

Guidance counsellors have been working hard since last Thursday, including over the weekend to contact students who had timetable conflicts.  With the accelerated pace of delivery of courses, changes to Quadmester 1 courses will not be possible unless they are due to conflicts or for graduating students who have a changing post-secondary requirement.   Our guidance counsellors will continue to work to resolve conflicts over the coming week.  Students should not attend the school to see their guidance counsellors.  Due to the limits of our Guidance space, we cannot accommodate in-person meetings.  Guidance counsellors are calling students with conflicts directly.  Once conflicts are resolved they will move to online bookings and meetings with students.  

While options for changes to quadmester 1 are very limited, students may contact Guidance counsellors to discuss possible course changes for quadmesters two through four, beginning on September 14. Please note that course options for future quadmesters may change. 

What do I need to know about the first day of school?

We have introduced many Health and Safety protocols to help keep everyone safe.  Please review all safety information that has been provided on the WRDSB and school website.  All students are expected to self-screen daily using this tool.

Do not come to school if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or of any respiratory illness, if you have travelled outside of the country within the last 14 days, or if you have come in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Plan to bring the following items with you on the first day of school:

  • Cloth mask that covers nose, mouth, and chin.  If you do not have one, we will provide you with one.
  • Refillable water bottle, labelled with your name.
  • Charged Chromebook or electronic device.
  • Pack a Lunch and Snacks, any litter from lunch will need to be taken home

When you arrive at school:

  • Use only designated entrances.  Look for the signs posted on the doors.
  • Enter the school and proceed directly to your classroom.  Note that the school doors will be opened no earlier than 15 minutes before the start of Period 
  • Ensure that you wear your mask at all times inside the school.
  • Sanitize your hands at any of the available stations, before entering your classroom.
  • As you move through the school, try and maintain 2 metres of distance between yourself and other students.

We encourage you to watch Day in the Life of a Secondary School Student in the WRDSB. Note: Due to the isolated location of our vending machines they will not be available this year.

More information will be coming soon and we appreciate your patience in these unprecedented times.