THE PRIORY POST ~ Friday, August 28, 2020
Dear Families,
 
We are ready for you! The Priory’s corridors have been too quiet for too long, and we are so ready to fill them with life and love. The recent emails and phone calls and visits to the school and chance encounters on the sidewalk have reminded us how much we’ve missed you.
 
The Priory School has always had many strengths, and one of the greatest has been our small size. Throughout our history, The Priory’s small size has given stronger voices to our students, empowered our teachers and parents, personalized the school experience and focused our community. 
 
Today, The Priory’s intimate, schoolhouse model is a strength for other reasons. It has allowed us to mobilize quickly, exercise and express creative problem solving, and very soon it will let us provide an even warmer, humane house of learning for our students when it is needed the most. You could say that we have “strength in small numbers”.
 
Throughout the summer and especially over the past few weeks, the staff and faculty at The Priory School have been working hard, because we believe that, whatever is happening in our world, school should always be a joyous and happy place. And your happiness makes us happy.
 
See you next week!
 
MyPriory: Your Portal to the Latest Information
Our 2020-2021 Priory School Reopening Plan is shared within the MyPriory portal found on the main menu of our school website. The password to access the portal is priory2020.

Our comprehensive plan is organized into seven sections, outlining the protocols and procedures the School is undertaking to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment.  
We will continue to work with our Advisory Committee, guided by health and government agencies to update our reopening procedures. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, the MyPriory portal will be updated regularly as new information and guidelines are issued by Public Health authorities. We will also continue to add to our COVID-19 FAQs as more questions are asked. We will notify you of any updates through our COVID-19 Update or The Priory Post.
Walking through our first day

The Priory School has enjoyed a tradition of openness to having parents enter the school, volunteer and take part in activities. So we appreciate the need for parents and students to experience the inside of The Priory together. Take a minute to walk through our daily routine with Mr. St-Pierre.
Hello from our Faculty

Teachers and staff at The Priory extend a warm hello to our new and returning students and their families. Click on the links below to see a short video from each of our dedicated team.
Medical Form

As in past years, we require your child(ren)’s medical information prior to beginning the school year. Please find below the PDF fillable form that can be completed electronically rather than producing a hard copy and manually filling out the form. Simply complete the form, save it as a file using your child’s name, and send it by email to wkozak@priory.qc.ca by Friday, August 28. Please note that if you have more than one child, each student’s information must be completed on a separate form. 
Allergen and Dietary Restrictions Form

In our continued effort to provide a safe food environment and accommodate students who have special dietary needs, please take the time to complete and return the fillable Allergen and Dietary Restrictions Form. Once completed, save it as a file and email the form to our Administrative Assistant, Wanda Kozak at wkozak@priory.qc.ca.
Tuition Billing:

During the summer weeks we implemented a new accounting system to meet the demand for greater integration & efficiency. This project involved complex data migration. Shortly you will receive your statement of account for the 2020-2021 school fees by email. Upon reviewing your statement of account, we ask that you please look over your statement carefully. Should you see any discrepancies, have any questions or require additional information do not hesitate to contact us at finance@priory.qc.ca or by calling 514-935-5966. We ask for payments to be sent to the office before September 14, 2020.

Thank you for you collaboration.
A Thank you from The Priory School Foundation:

To open a school during a pandemic is no small feat. Not only does it take problem solving, organization, various expertise and time, but there is a real monetary cost involved. From air purifiers for each classroom to disinfecting machines, hand-washing stations, paper towel dispensers, PPE equipment, hand sanitizer and new signage, it all adds up to a significant cost.

Knowing that the school had a need, donors came forward to support the greatest needs of The Priory at this crucial time. Though they may choose to remain anonymous, The Priory School Foundation would like to extend a heart-felt thank you for the generous team-spirit and commitment shown towards our School and our children.
 
If you would like to learn more about how you can give back to The Priory School, please contact Head of School, Christian St-Pierre at cstpierre@priory.qc.ca, or Development Officer, Davey Lahteenmaa, at dlahteenmaa@priory.qc.ca for more information. 
A few reminders

First day of school:
Kinder A, Grades 1, 3 and 5 begin on Monday, August 31st
Kinder B, Grades 2, 4 and 6 begin on Tuesday, September 1st

How to prepare my child for a safe return
1 - Watch the welcome videos above with your child
2 - Log into the MyPriory web portal
- Read the policies and guidelines. Discuss them with your child
- Watch the educational videos
3 - Practice and model washing hands and proper handling of the face mask

Allergies/ medical condition
It is important for you to notify us should your child have allergies or a medical condition. Please complete and return the medical form. We also advise you to email your child's teachers.

What to put in your child's school bag
2 water bottles labeled with your child's name
1 extra face mask
Extra change of clothes (K to grade 2), all items labeled with your child's name

When arriving at the drop off zone (please refer to the drop-in schedule)
1 - Parents stay in the car
2 - Students exit the car, face mask in their hands
3 - Student goes to see Mr. St-Pierre

When picking up your child (please refer to the pick up schedule)
1 - Park your car and walk over to the front gate
2 - Parents will wait on the front lawn of the Lindsay House, respecting social distancing
3 - Our staff will bring your child to you

AND MOST IMPORTANT, SMILE! Your child needs to feel your confidence as we return to school
Important Upcoming Dates:

Monday, August 31
-First day of school and for half-class Kindergarten and Grades 1, 3, 5

Tuesday, September 1
-First day of school for half-class Kindergarten and Grades 2, 4, 6

Wednesday, September 2
-All students begin

Monday, September 7
-Labour Day Holiday, no school

Thursday, September 10
-Curriculum Evening, Zoom Edition


At The Priory, we believe that children should be allowed to be children: to play, sing, perform, discover and explore their world in a caring and nurturing environment.
Connect With Us:
The Priory School
3120 The Boulevard Montreal, Quebec H3Y 1R9
Tel.: 514-935-5966