COVID-19 School Information

Find information and key resources about St. Michael’s College School’s COVID-19 safety protocols, procedures, safe return to school measures and health information.

The information contained in this section is updated on a regular basis.

2021-22 Plan & Resources

The Return to School Blueprint 2021-22 details the plan for the 2021-22 school year at St. Michael’s College School.

SMCS Return to School Blueprint 2021-22 during Covid-19

Return to School Blueprint 2021-22
Updated as of January 24, 2022

Daily COVID-19 Screening Form: smcsscreener.com

Academics Wellness

Overview

As the pandemic continues, many people are still experiencing increased stress and anxiety. It is important to prioritize and centre conversations around mental health and offer support to each other, especially children and youth. The following resources are starters to help in these discussions. Remember, help is available, you are not alone.

SMCS will continue to make every effort to address sources of stress and extend flexibility within our updated administrative policies, and work with students and families to provide support and resources, as required. We continue to prioritize early identification of learning needs and provide students with academic and emotional support to help them succeed.

The Student Wellness Office provides additional supports, meaningful collaboration, and appropriate referrals. Parents, guardians, and teachers are encouraged to make a referral to Antoinette Morgan, the Interim Student Wellness Officer, if they have any concerns about a student, such as mental health, coping, etc. Don’t forget, support is available.

Resources

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Back to School Resources during COVID-19: Support Parents and Students provide strategies and resources for parents to identify and help with children, tips for parents as their children return to school, tips for parents well-being.
COVID-19 Learning Hub (aboutkidshealth.ca) Sick Kids Hospital. Resources for parents and child available including videos, information about coping, parenting, well-being, videos to support sleep and mindfulness etc. available.
Canada Suicide Prevention Service | Crisis Services Canada focuses on strengthening regional service delivery and addressing gaps in mental health and suicide prevention and support. Need Help? Call: 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7 or text: 45645 (English only) available 4 p.m.-12 a.m. ET.
School Mental Health Ontario. Parents can increase their knowledge of mental health and how schools in Ontario support mental health as well as learn how to work with schools to support their child’s mental health.
Bounce Back Ontario. Free skill-building programme managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association that is designed to help youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress, anger, and worry.

Helplines:

Kids Help Phone provides confidential support services for ages 5-20 via phone, text, or online counselling. Toll-free: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
LGBT Youthline. Confidential, non-judgemental, and informed LGBTTQQ2SI peer support. Text 647-694-4275 or live web chat.
Indigenous Hope for Wellness Helpline Crisis counselling and mental health supports available 24 hours a day, seven days per week to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors. Online chat available or phone 1-855-242-3310.
The Black Youth Helpline 1-833-294-8650 Services offered from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., providing supports to all youth, but specifically respond to the need for a culturally appropriate service for Black youth.

Webinars

Free Webinar, Sept 23 at 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. from the UTGSU Official Mental Health Committee called Embracing Changes: Managing Anxiety, Returning to a Norm with Vivian Zhang, Clinical Therapist. Topics to be covered in this webinar include the ongoing pandemic and the subsequent increase in our collective stress and anxiety. Information on coping, additional resources, and adjusting to this new ‘normal’ will also be explored.

School Communications

April March February January Archived

December 2021
December 30, 2021
December 22, 2021
December 21, 2021
December 20, 2021
December 19, 2021
December 18, 2021 (2)
December 18, 2021 (1)
December 17, 2021
December 15, 2021
December 14, 2021

November 2021
November 28, 2021
November 19, 2021
November 11, 2021

October 2021
October 23, 2021
October 22, 2021
October 4, 2021 (2)
October 4, 2021 (1)

September 2021
September 13, 2021 (2)
September 13, 2021 (1)
September 1, 2021

August 2021
August 31, 2021
August 30, 2021
August 27, 2021
August 20, 2021
August 16, 2021

June 2021
June 1, 2021 (students)
June 1, 2021 (parents)

May 2021
May 20, 2021
May 4, 2021

April 2021
April 14, 2021
April 12, 2021
April 11, 2021
April 9, 2021
April 6, 2021 (2)
April 6, 2021 (1)
April 5, 2021

March 2021
March 27, 2021
Cardinal Collins Update – March 12, 2021

February 2021
February 24, 2021
Cardinal Collins Public Statement – February 24, 2021
Toronto Public Health: Variants of concern – February 24, 2021
February 16, 2021
February 10, 2021
February 3, 2021

January 2021
January 13, 2021
Ministry of Education Updates for Private Schools – January 8, 2021
January 6, 2021
January 4, 2021
Minister of Education Letter to Parents/Guardian – January 2, 2021

December 2020
December 31, 2020
Christmas 2020 Liturgy
December 22, 2020
December 18, 2020
Archdiocese of Toronto Update – December 17, 2020
December 6, 2020
Toronto Public Health: Updated COVID-19 Public Health Measures – December 4, 2020
Archdiocese of Toronto FAQ – December 4, 2020
Archdiocese of Toronto Memorandum – December 4, 2020

November 2020
November 25, 2020
November 13, 2020
November 4, 2020
FAQ: A Follow up to November 2 COVID-19 Alert Update
November 2, 2020

October 2020
October 28, 2020
October 20, 2020
October 14, 2020
October 8, 2020
October 1, 2020

September 2020
September 30, 2020
September 24, 2020
September 23, 2020
September 21, 2020 (2)
September 21, 2020 (1)
September 9, 2020
September 8, 2020
September 4, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (Revised September 3, 2020)

August 2020
August 31, 2020
ParenTalks: Supporting Your Son’s Safe Return to School: A Conversation (video) – August 27, 2020
August 25, 2020
August 17, 2020
August 7, 2020
Welcome Video – 2020

July 2020
July 20, 2020

June 2020
June 26, 2020

New Staff Announcements

Meet our new and newly appointed staff and faculty members joining the St. Michael’s College School community in 2021-22.

Core – English Teacher	Vanessa Iaboni
Music Teacher	Amy McLennan
Core – Math Teacher	John Mandawe
Math and Science Teacher	Ismete Qatipi
Religion Teacher	Alessandra Lombardi
Student Wellness Officer (Interim)	Antoinette Morgan
Safe Officer	Andrei Petrochenkov
Safe Officer	Sheldon Ottay
Plant Operator	Vincent Apreda
School Nurse	Lori-Anne Hastings
Teacher Librarian	Lisa Lipetz
IT Helpdesk Support	Romil Thakkar
Administrative Assistant	Chantal Da Cruz

Public Health & Education Resources

COVID-19: Health, safety and operational guidance for schools (2021-2022)

Toronto Public Health

Health Canada

World Health Organization

Safety, Hygiene, & Sanitization

Learn more about the health and safety measures put in place at St. Michael’s College School since September 2020.

Enhanced Personal Hygiene and Protective Equipment

Cough/sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene protocols to follow while on school campus
Creation of protocols for use of protective personal equipment (PPE) by students, staff, and visitors
Daily screening for virus symptoms of anyone who enters the building
Review and update of stay-at-home if ill directives
Review and update of directives when symptoms appear while at school

Campus Sanitization and Safety Measures

Protective barriers in high traffic areas such as the main office, library, in classrooms, and offices
150 hand sanitizer stations located in classrooms and high traffic areas
Upgraded HVAC system and air filtration
Traffic flow with lane and hallway markers
Increase the number of one-way entrances and exits in/out of the building
Classroom spacing and alternative room utilization
Review of food services
Infrared heat (temperature) imaging cameras, portable thermometers installed
Steam sanitizers for floors, equipment, and high-touch areas, all precautionary
Scheduling cleaning of high-touch items (For example: door knobs, railings, computer, and design tech tools)
Altered uniform expectations for students (SMCS golf shirt and any neat washable trouser to start the year)
Limited student locker access to reduce crowding in closed areas

St. Michael’s College School is committed to implementing further safety measures to meet any recommendations and advice provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Toronto Public Health that may emerge in the future.

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