​Dear Citadel Community:

As we end our second full week, I want to emphasize a few procedures in place that may not be understood or realized yet. As we ended August, there were so many new practices and processes arising out of new COVID protocols. Sometimes, a new practice created unforeseen challenges elsewhere.  We are all working through a pandemic for the first time.

One of the new procedures arising out of COVID protocols concerns our morning entry.

The need to limit the number of people arriving through a particular doorway resulted in having two staggered start times – 8:40 and 8:50. As well, each team was assigned their own separate doorway, again to reduce the number of people in any one area.  As well, we implemented a “soft start" arrival so that students did not have to arrive any earlier than their assigned start and could, in fact, come after without being considered late. There is no requirement for students to arrive early and in fact it would be better if they did not.

We recognize that parents may have challenges with arriving closer to these staggered times; please ensure your child is dressed for the weather if they plan to be on site earlier than required. Our dry weather is coming to an end.

As well, the varied door entries created a safety concern in week one with cars going through our upper parking lot at the same times kids were walking onto the grounds. Our staff and upper parking lots were not designed for two way traffic entry and exit. We coned this area off this week as a safety measure.

As we work through this new school year, there are many procedures that require us to change how we do things. The only challenge dropping off kids in the past was perhaps getting them out of the house on time. Today, even drop off, requires some new consideration and possibly new habits for families.

In advance, we appreciate your understanding and patience as we all work through the realities of 2020.

With appreciation,

John Goheen, Principal

Rick Dhaliwal, Vice-Principal