Greetings Parents and Guardians,

I know a lot of information has been coming your way regarding the start up of school and it may seem overwhelming. Instead of sending more reminders of information that can be found on our website, Ms Waters and I just wanted to send some reassurance to you and your children that the Bruce staff have been hard at work making the school as safe as we can for our students both physically and mentally. Sanitizing, masks, controlled hallway traffic, adjusted lunch schedules, new protocols for handling of materials, altered entrances and exits, new classrooms, lots of signage on the new expectations are some of the changes we have made and we will constantly monitor our processes to make sure we apply the best scientific advice for schools.

Additionally, we are looking beyond the need for safety and curriculum and searching for ways to make school feel as 'normal' as we can, given the changes mentioned above. More frequent stretch breaks, mental health strategies to help identify and manage anxieties and stress, exploring ways to have safe fun, and agendas with mental health tips that will also facilitate information sharing with home will be part of our day as well. Outdoor classrooms and power walks through the community will be frequent. The administration, guidance (Ms Yard)and resource (Ms Carey) will be spending time with each class on their first day to speak about the new ways of school, answer questions and hopefully reducing fears students may have.

We would humbly ask that you take some time this weekend and reassure your child if they are experiencing natural fears on returning. If they are not comfortable with a mask, remind them that wearing one is for the protection of others, and the strength of our society is how we look out and care for each other.

When you have a moment, please check our website (https://www.sjasd.ca/school/bruce)  and the provincial COVID website (https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html) for more information.

We look forward to welcoming the grade 6 students on Tuesday and all students Wednesday. Have a wonderful weekend!

The Administration and all Bruce Staff

Daniel MacNeil,

Principal