Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
I hope you are all well and enjoying the summer weather. As many of you are likely aware, the Government of Ontario made an announcement last week about the reopening of schools in September 2020. We now know that secondary schools in the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) will open on an adapted model with 50% of class time being face to face at school and the other 50% completed through virtual learning from home. Classes will resume on Tuesday September 8, 2020.
Please note that parents/guardians can still decide whether to send students for the face to face portion of their classes during the 2020-2021 school year. Classes will be offered virtually for those students who choose not to participate in the face to face portion of instruction at school. A deadline will be set for parents to decide whether they will send students for face to face instruction. This deadline will be communicated to you in the near future. Students who choose not to attend face to face in September will have opportunities to change their minds at designated dates throughout the school year, but we will not be able to accommodate continuous intake of these students.
As of now, we still do not know what the exact schedule will look like for Essex District High School students, but please prepare for half of their time for each class to be in school and the other half delivered virtually/online. Enhanced safety measures will be put in place at school including, additional cleaning, physical distancing, and mandatory masks for all students while at school. The GECDSB is still working on the plan for each school and I will have more to share with you in the near future. Below you will find an attachment to a letter to parents from the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, outlining key aspects of the school reopening plan, as well as a link to GECDSB webpage with additional school reopening information. I will keep you updated as further direction is available. Take care and stay safe.
Mr. Querbach
Letter from Stephen Lecce:
https://www.publicboard.ca/News/Documents/Letter%20to%20Ontario%E2%80%99s%20parents%20from%20the%20Minister%20of%20Education%20-%20July%2030,%202020.pdf
GECDSB School Reopening Information Page:
https://www.publicboard.ca/News/PlanningforReopening/Pages/default.aspx#/=
Good Morning Parents, Guardians and Students:
As we draw to the close of this unique, challenging and unprecedented school year, I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you for your flexibility, cooperation, understanding and resilience. This has not been easy. I would also like to wish you all a happy, healthy and well-deserved summer break. Please take some time for yourselves and to celebrate those most important to you.
As many of you are already aware, the Minister of Education announced three potential plans for school reopening in September. These possible plans are detailed in the letter from the Minister that can be found on our school website. Please also see the message from Director Erin Kelly about plans for September. The possible plans are a full return to school with safety precautions, continuing with full virtual learning or a blend of the two while limiting the number of students in class at a time. In addition, there is other important information in the Minister's letter that will be of interest to students, parents and guardians as we work towards returning to school in September.
At this point, we do not know what our September plan will be for Essex District High School, but I will continue to update you as the summer progresses. Thank you again for all you have done during the school closure to support our school, our students and our community. Take care, stay safe and all the best for a restful summer.
Good Afternoon Parents, Guardians and Students,
The plan for the pick-up of locker items and the return of textbooks and other school materials has been sent to all parents and students via Edsby. Please read it carefully and in its entirety. There are important procedures and safety measures that must be followed.
For those students who filled out the survey last week, their locker contents have been bagged and will be available for pick-up. Anyone can return school items. Pick-up of locker items and return of school items will happen on Tuesday June 9 (students with last names starting with A-K) and Wednesday June 10 (students with last names starting with L-Z) from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM each day.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us complete this task
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. QuerbachPrincipal
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
Wednesday May 5, 2020
Re: Student Marks During School Closure
Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,
I hope you are all well and remaining safe during this challenging time. All of us at Essex District High School (EDHS) remain committed to the well-being of our students and their families.
Recently, the Minister of Education made a decision regarding the status of student marks during the current school closure; a student’s overall mark in a class cannot go down from where it was on March 13, 2020. The Greater Essex County District School Board has decided that March 13 marks will be reflected by students’ midterm report card marks. Mid-term report cards have been mailed to all EDHS students. The purpose of this letter is to inform students, parents and guardians that meaningful and essential learning continues at EDHS. Regardless of the Minister’s announcement, it is critical that students remain as engaged as possible in their classes until the school year ends in June.
All students will have the opportunity to improve their marks, irrespective of their status on the mid-term report card. If a student was not passing a course as indicated on the mid-term report, there are still many opportunities to work hard, stay connected with teachers, and obtain the credit for that course. If students were passing or excelling on the mid-term report card, they still can improve those marks and should finish the year by continuing to engage with teachers. This will minimize gaps in learning for students as they move on to the next grade or to a post-secondary destination.
I recognize that because marks cannot go down from mid-term, some may see diminishing value in continuing to work hard and engage in their courses. Please consider an alternative perspective: it is in the best interest of students to put in their best effort until the end of the school year. A mark is merely an indication of a degree of learning. While I recognize the decision made by the Minister is intended to reduce stress and the burden on students, the March 13 mark is not an accurate indication of the necessary learning in a given course. Disengaging now will lead to gaps in the required learning for current courses. These gaps must be closed when students begin learning in the fall, whether it is at EDHS or a post-secondary destination. In both cases, the wisest choice for students is to remain engaged to the best of their abilities and learn essential concepts and skills in their current courses.
One of the many strengths of the EDHS school community is that we have a culture of caring and there is a great deal of trust between staff and students. As a staff, we are focused on closing the gaps in learning to minimize the negative impact on students. Student engagement and dedication are essential for this to work. We must face this challenge together as a school community. Remaining engaged and working hard is important!
This unprecedented time necessitates innovation, accommodation, and compromise. I recognize that the challenges for each of our families are unique. I only ask that students do their best under the current circumstances. As a school community, we must persevere and create conditions where students will have the greatest probability of success. Please know that the EDHS staff are very concerned about the well-being of our students and their families. We are here to help and support during this challenging time. Please continue to contact teachers and administration for assistance.
Stay Safe, Stay Engaged, and Embrace Meaningful Learning.
Mid-Term Report Cards (Ignore the "S" in Learning Skills)
Good Afternoon Parents and Guardians,
I hope you and your families are all well and staying safe during this challenging situation. All of us here at Essex District High School (EDHS) miss our daily interactions with our students, but recognize that the safety of our school and extended community is the top priority at this time.
Please know that the staff at EDHS are working hard to engage all students in remote learning from home. Part of our commitment to keeping students and families informed is providing a mid-term report card for all EDHS students. This will arrive in the mail in the coming days. You will notice that the report card includes a grade, but no comments or learning skills reported. This decision was made to expedite the report card process and due to restrictions on school access at this time.
Please note that all fields in the Learning Skills portion of the report card have been populated with the letter "S". This is the same for every EDHS student and is not a report of individual student learning skills. In order to process the report cards, a letter had to be selected, so our school board decided on "S". If you have questions about the progress, or learning skills of one of your children, please contact the appropriate teacher.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Stay healthy, stay safe and take care.
Wednesday April 29, 2020
This is an unprecedented and uncertain experience for all of us as we collectively do our part to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. One measure to do this has been the closing of all Ontario schools until at least May 31, 2020 for all students. This date will be reviewed and could also be extended based on the input of health professionals. 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 staff and administration are working hard to create continuity of learning during the school closure.
Many of you are wondering how your 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. Please know that our staff and administration are working very hard to ensure that students are re-engaged in their studies and that all students are being given the opportunity to experience success in this new learning format. As well, our Student Services Department will ensure that marks are forwarded for college and university applications. A mid-term report of grades for all students has been mailed and should arrive in the coming days.
I recognize that access to technology is different for every family. The Greater Essex County District School Board has been processing technology requests and I am happy to report that we have distributed all of Phase 1 technology requests to families in our community. All new Phase 2 requests are being processed and families will be contacted by the school in the next few school days to arrange pick-up of these devices.
I would also like to deliver a sincere thank you to all 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 that the next phase of learning will offer challenges for our students, but we also have a tremendous opportunity to persevere through an unanticipated and ever-changing situation as a school community. 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.
Letter to Parents/Guardians from the Minister of Education
Updated March 31, 2020
State of Emergency
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/coronavirus-covid-19-ontario-tuesday-1.5500006
Practice Social Distancing
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/corona-virus-covid-19-1.5499872
How to Wash Your Hands Like a Surgeon
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/how-to-wash-your-hands-like-a-surgeon-1.5498273
Essex District High School will be hosting a Pathways Night on WednesdayJanuary 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 in Gym A. This even is open to students of all ages and their parents. This is an information session about post secondary pathways. Find out about scholarships and bursaries, preparation for post secondary education, applications for apprenticeships, college and university and much more.
Attention Grade 8 Students and their Parents/Guardians
Essex District High School will be hosting a Grade 8 Night on Wednesday January 15. Come and see what being a Red Raider is all about. The event begins promptly at 6:00 PM. Students and Parents/Guardians will be treated to information about the school, extra-curricular activities and academic programs. Come and see how at Essex District High School, "We Make a Difference!"
Camp Day!
Registration closes on Friday January 10. Only 40 spots available.
Essex District High School will be hosting a Camp Day on January 17, 2020 for students in Grade 6 and 7. This is a PD Day for elementary, but not secondary. The day will focus on technical skills and students will have a chance to Design, Construct and Drive! Please see the attached poster for registration details
The Essex DHS English Department will be having a fundraiser at Indigo St. Clair Beach from 6-8 PM on Tuesday January 14, 2020.
What?
Annual EDHS Christmas Concert
Who?
Mrs. Shaw and Band
Where?
EDHS - Gym A
When?
Tuesday December 10 at 7:00 PM
Why?
To ring in the season with a celebration of music
The Essex District High School Grade 11 Leadership class is participating in the Purse Project, a charitable fundraiser event where they are collecting gently used purses, baby products, toiletries and feminine hygiene products. Classes at EDHS began donating on October 20th ,2019. Since then, they have brought in over 300 purses and 5000 total items. The Purse Project is a global charity that helps support local women suffering social issues such as poverty, abuse, assault and human trafficking. The students of EDHS have participated with enthusiasm, donating with their hearts to help the local women in need. On November 21st students from the leadership and STEPS classes packaged all 5000 items in purses to prepare for delivery on the 28th. They will be donating all items collected to local charities including The Salvation Army, Hiatus House, Downtown Mission, House of Sophrosyne, Well-come Centre, and The LaSalle Hangout.
Written by: Mitchell Girard and Hudson Colasanti
The Essex Red Raiders Senior Boys Volleyball team was crowned WECSSA Champions on Saturday November 9 at St. Clair College. The Raiders won in three tightly contested games against the Tecumseh Vista Vortex. Congratulation to the coaches and players on a strong showing and for representing Essex with class. The Raiders took the SWOSSA Gold Medal on Thursday November 14 in four games against Great Lakes Secondary School from Sarnia. The Raiders will travel to Stratford to compete at OFSAA on Wednesday November 20, 2019. Well done and good luck Raiders!
Semester 1 mid-term report cards will be distributed to students in Period 1 on Tuesday November 19.
The Science Olympiad team from Essex District High School competed at the University of Windsor on October 17, 2019. The team took part in a variety of activities based in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, math and engineering for a $1000 per student scholarship 1st place prize. The 12 participants could be seen running across campus, completing these timed challenges based on their Grade 11 university level education.
Mrs. Palazzolo was very proud of the performance of these students, so much so that they plan to compete in the University of Guelph competition in May of 2020. "Although we did not take home any medals, this group of grade 12s really showed their Raider spirit, resilience, and grit throughout these fun science-based competitions. We will continue training every week and continue learning about the various Sciences and Maths, in order to bring some good competition to Guelph's Science Olympiad. Keep an eye out for your fellow Science Olympiad reps, and support them in fundraising for Guelph!" - Mrs. Palazzolo.
Article written by Sydney Lumbard
An Essex Red Raiders team took the gold medal at the annual Skills Competencies Canada Cardboard Boat Races at the Sherk Centre in Leamington on Thursday October 24. Under the direction of their teacher Mr. Oriet, the team of Nick Soulliere, Luke Reaume, James Redecop and Noah Schroeder designed a cardboard boat that held all of their weight and was competitive in the speed portion of the competition. Their aggregate score for weight and speed resulted in a first place finish and a chance to compete at the provincial cardboard boat competion.
Tuesday November 19, 2019
5:30 PM
Ciacaro Club
