Good Morning Citadel Families. 

Yesterday was a long and very difficult day for so many staff, families and community members in our area. The devastating fire at Hazel Trembath is a tragedy the District and all of us will be working through for days and weeks to come. I am recognizing how hard this email is to write, as many of you along with me have many memories of Hazel Trembath in one way or another. My heart goes out to all of you and the Staff of Hazel Trembath. We are all here to support the staff, students and families get through this very difficult time.  

At Ecole Citadel Middle School, we are going to do everything we can to operate in a business as usual fashion, supporting those that need it most, as they surface tomorrow and over the next few days. We will have extra counselling support on site for those who need it.

Here is a brief update of what I know to date and how Hazel Trembath, the District and we as a school community plan to move forward. 

District Plans and Directions Moving Forward (still much to work out)

1. Winslow Centre will be set up as a temporary location to house all the students from Hazel Trembath and their staff. HT Staff will be on site at Winslow, Monday and HT students will not be in session for at least a few days as teachers and staff endeavour to set up their new learning spaces. I know the District is doing everything they can to get students back to school in one location as soon as possible and being mindful of the needs of the HT Staff. 
2. ​ ​Busses are arranged to transport HT students to Winslow from a location as yet to be determined.
3. ​The District is opening up resources to provide whatever is needed for staff to set the space up and begin replacing their personal resources. They are working there all day today to arrange furniture, and create spaces relative to elementary school needs.
4. ​The District and City of POCO have set up donation pages and sites for dropping off and donating. One of our District Principals is facilitating an idea repository for schools wanting to help and how they can do that. Everyone is wanting to help and it is overwhelming for the Principal and staff so others are trying to coordinate for them.
5. ​More info will be provided later today and daily for the next few weeks. All resources and options are being explored to best support the HT community.

Ecole Citadel Middle School Implications and Needs:

1. Ms. French (our Vice Principal) will be up at Winslow Centre supporting Dave Phelan (HT Principal) in their transition to the new location. This will likely be for at least a couple weeks. The District will provide some TTOC support for Citadel this week and we will see what is needed going forward.
2. We have offered to support the transition with our facility in any way possible and this could mean the use of classrooms or other spaces, bussing drop off and pick up, and some before and afterschool care. They are doing whatever they can not to impact our school community directly, but I wanted you all to know the offer is out there to help wherever we can.
3. We will have some counselling support from the District Critical Incident Team on site tomorrow and possibly for a few days, for students and staff who are struggling with the loss of the school. It will be very important for us all to be present and aware of the feelings some of our students may be experiencing. Our Counsellor, Ms. PItman, Youth Worker, Devon Day and I will be available to see kids and set up quiet areas if need be. I plan to go around to every class tomorrow morning and quickly address the situation with your students as well as making a morning announcement.
4. We will keep the kids indoors all day tomorrow and will provide other spaces for them to enjoy during our Nutrition and Lunch breaks. We will assess how the air quality is again tomorrow and may be indoors for a couple days. If you are concerned for the health and safety of your child please reach out to me directly. As always it is your prerogative as parents and guardians to keep your child home if you feel that is necessary. 
5. The upper field will be off limits possibly for the week, as well as the path leading along the power lines. I have not been back up to the site today, and am hoping they are providing fencing all around as opposed to the caution tape that was there yesterday. We will need to remind students that the site is still under investigation and also hazardous as it smoulders. Please speak with your children about staying completely away from the site. 
6. ​​​​​ HT students will not be the only ones affected by this incident as some others may have trauma or fears about fire and disasters that we are unaware of. Please be sensitive to all needs that may arise from your children and let us know how we can help. 

I know there will be more questions than answers right now and I will do my best to support whatever is needed in our learning community and for the HT students and families, past and present. 

Reach out if you need to. We are all here for our students and families.

Please hug your kids, family, and friends. Now more than ever we need to come together as a community and care for each other!

Kind Regards

Mark and Rachel