Good Afternoon Parents, Guardians and Students:

I hope you and your families are well. Please note that as per a directive from the Ministry of Education, all exam and PD days are now instructional days, so learning will continue up to and including Friday June 26. Some teachers have developed culminating activities for their classes, while others have chosen to continue to teach course concepts to the end of the year. This will depend on the course and has been communicated to students through their teachers. There will be no final exams at the end of June. Final report cards with comments and learning skills will be mailed to all students in early July.

Pick-up of Locker Contents

We are beginning the process of collecting and distributing personal items from student lockers. The distribution will take place during the week of June 8-12. Please note that students and parents will not be permitted in the school, so a pick-up protocol is being developed for the exterior of the school. School items (textbooks, musical instruments, library books, etc.) will also be collected at this time. Details about this plan will be sent to students and parents next week. Any laptops or tablets that have been borrowed from the school are to remain with those students and should not be returned at this time.

 Any student/parent/guardian wishing to pick-up the contents of a locker must fill out the form sent via Edsby to all parents and students.  Please only complete one form per student. If you have multiple EDHS students in your household, please fill out a different form for each of them (it’s short, only two questions 😊).

This form will close at the end of the day on Tuesday June 2, 2020 .

Note: You do not have to pick up locker contents. If you decide not to pick up personal locker contents at this time, those items will remain bagged in the student’s locker and secured until the school reopens. All food and other perishable items in lockers will be discarded. All graduating students should collect the contents of their lockers at this time.

Thank you for your continued support of our school.

Mr. S. Querbach
Principal

Essex District High School

244 Talbot Street North

Essex, Ontario             N8M 2E1

(519) 776-7344              Fax:  776-4902

Mr. S. Querbach                                                                                                                   Mr. R. Ricci

Principal                                                                                                                                     Vice-Principal

Thursday May 21, 2020

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians:

As you are likely now aware, the Province of Ontario has extended the school closure for the remainder of this school year. This is an unprecedented and uncertain experience for all of us as we collectively do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, social distancing and stay-at-home directives have altered all of our lives and the daily conveniences and services we typically enjoy. Please know that the Essex District High School (EDHS) staff and administration are working hard to create continuity of learning for the remainder of the school year.

Many of you are wondering how  grades, credit accumulation and graduation requirements will be affected by this. The Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce has been clear that no student's graduation will be negatively impacted by the school closure. As well, our Student Services Department will ensure that marks are forwarded for college and university applications. Our staff and administration are working very hard to ensure that students continue to engage in their studies and that all students are given the opportunity to experience success in this new learning format.  As I stated in my letter on May 5, 2020, the Minister of Education decided that a student’s overall mark in a class cannot go down from where it was before the school closure. These pre-closure  marks were sent out to all families on the mid-term report card received at the beginning of May. In light of this announcement, please know that meaningful and essential learning continues at EDHS. It is critical that students remain as engaged as possible in their classes until the school year ends in June; this will help to mediate gaps in essential learning needed for courses next year.

With the announcement of the extended school closure, I have received several inquiries about student access to the school to retrieve personal belongings. There will be an opportunity to do this, but this will require consultation with the local health unit to ensure safety of students and staff. The Greater Essex County District School Board is working on guidance and safety protocols related to school access and I will communicate the particulars of the plan when it has been finalized.

I think it is important to take every opportunity to thank those front-line workers in the health care sector and those providing other essential services. As a community, we are indebted to you for the sacrifices you are all making to keep us safe during this challenging time.

I understand and appreciate our current challenges, but as a school community we continue to persevere through this unanticipated and ever-changing situation. Our staff is working hard to support our students, finding innovative and creative ways to engage them in remote learning. Our Learning Support and Student Success Teachers, as well as our Guidance Department and Child and Youth Worker are all reaching out to support our students during this time. Please feel free to reach out to teachers and administration. We are here to help all families navigate this unprecedented situation. Much of our communication at this time is happening through Edsby, but office voicemail is also being received and directed to appropriate staff for return phone calls. Take care, stay safe and we will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Mr. S. Querbach

Check out the link for our staff messages to students.

https://youtu.be/WKrs9nGYwZE