Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, and Staff;
Click here
( https://youtu.be/4qM_iV1A4ZI)  to view a message from Director Parker Grimmer.
I am standing in front of one of our schools today because these are important places, and one of the places where learning happens for students. Within our schools and PSB offices, we are now planning and preparing for students and staff to safely return to school in September.
These last days of the school year, much like the last months, have been like no other. We have all been doing things much differently than we have in the past. 2019-2020 has been a busy, demanding, challenging, at times frustrating, but ultimately a successful year for students and those who have worked with them including parents and staff. We hope everyone is able to reflect back on some positive, productive, and successful moments. 
We want to take a moment to recognize the efforts of students, parents, and staff. Thank you for your patience, energy, commitment, teamwork, willingness to try new things, and do old things in new ways. These words come from sharing and observing what we have seen on the journey with our educational community these last weeks. Our shared success is reflected in the accomplishments of our students, and we should be pleased with our efforts working together to assist in their success. We have learned once again that good things can happen, even in the most challenging circumstances, when we work together.
We haven’t been perfect though. I can’t tell you how many times COVID-19 has proved my thinking to be wrong, or how some days our planning in the morning was no longer current or helpful by the afternoon. While we made inroads into how we supported students and families in need, we still have work to do to provide more equitable learning for students. We have all learned so much through this pandemic, including the importance of reflection and the need to routinely adjust our thinking and actions. I want to genuinely thank students, parents, and staff for supporting us, even through the times when we and our circumstances seemed most uncertain.
Planning is underway to bring students and staff safely back to our schools and work spaces. The provincial government’s Fall Education Readiness Committee has been working to determine the plan for returning to school in September and the PSB is working with the Chief Public Health Office and our partners at the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning to determine the best configurations for buses, schools, and workspaces.
We also need to prepare ourselves for the possibility that learning in school might need to look differently next year. We will make every effort to communicate plans in a timely way so all of our educational partners can prepare as much as possible. 
While there is still some uncertainty to all this, we know with certainty that students are best served when we work together. We thank everyone for their patience and cooperation as we work through planning to return to school. We look forward to the 2020-2021 school year, with all of the challenges and opportunities it will hold.
Congratulations to those who have graduated, are moving to a new school, or who are retiring as one of our valued employees. We are also excited to welcome new students, parents and staff who will be joining the PSB next year!
I wish every members of our PSB educational community a safe, restful, and happy summer!
Until September, take care,
Parker Grimmer
Director

Parker Grimmer 
Director 
Public Schools Branch 
P.O. Box 8600 
Charlottetown, P.E.I.  C1A 8V7
(Phone)368-6841 (Fax)368-6843
tpgrimmer@gov.pe.ca

Parents and Guardians, 

• Grade 7/8 Report Cards
  • A reminder that grade 7 pickup is between 9:00 -10:30 and grade 8 from 10:30 till 12 noon. We will mail those report cards that are not picked up. Another reminder to please return items like library books, textbooks, and uniforms.

Grade 9 Graduation:

The plan has two components:

1. The first component is a digital production featuring  a montage of videos and images to commemorate the year.  Click the links below for the grade 9 videos,
   1. Grade 9 Grads 2020
   2. Congratulations Grads
2. The second component features a drive through certificate pick-up and photo opportunity. Cars will proceed into our parking lot by homeroom.  One student and their immediate family will exit their vehicle, take their certificate/program off of the display table and proceed to the photo area. Click the link below for the traffic plan:
3. Birchwood Traffic Plan
4. We would ask that you make private arrangements to celebrate with extended family at an alternate location.  A photographer will capture images that will be shared with families.
5. The drive through will take place on June 23rd and June 24th.

• June 23rd
• • 9A 430-5:30
  • 9B 5:30- 6:30
  • 9C 6:30- 7:30

• June 24th
  • 9D 4:30-5:30
  • 9E 5:30-6:30
  • 9F 6:30-7:30

*Rain dates June 25th and June  26th..

Birchwood Incoming Grade 7 Students Welcome to Birchwood Slideshow

Hello Parents and Guardians,

 On Tuesday June 23rd,  teachers will be available to say good bye  and distribute report cards for grade seven and eight students. Please return text books, chrome books, uniforms and library books. We will follow the same traffic plan that was used for locker item pick up. 

 https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1fTovrWIqUH6eBthz7oZxfOx9IcXRa15b8AEhXEQpoTw/edit?usp=sharing

 Grade seven pick up will be from 9:00 -10:30  and grade eight from 10:30 -12:00.  Those report cards not picked up will be mailed.   We will be including grade nine report cards in their closing packages.

 We appreciate your continued support and look forward to partnering with you again next year.  Have a healthy, safe  and wonderful summer!

 Birchwood Team

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, and Staff;

A friend recently shared with me a message from the Prince Edward Island Public Service Commission about working from home with kids during the pandemic. The information is very helpful and I have drawn from it to share several important points for your consideration.

Many parents and staff are still working from home as they continue to manage the realities of dealing with COVID-19. We are all beginning to understand that working from home might continue for some time, at least part-time. Many are working alongside their family members, including children and may find this to be a challenge. There are a few positive things that we can all do in these situations.

Approach unpredictable times with flexibility. Being flexible helps us to better adapt to changes happening at home or with our workday. The positive side of being flexible is we are never going to feel stuck doing things “the one right way.” We can learn from our efforts, make revisions, and try something else without judging ourselves harshly. It is important to be kind to ourselves when we struggle and our day doesn’t unfold with our work and family the way we planned it would.

Find relief. Life is tough sometimes, really tough and at times we need to find relief in the simplest of things. Nature, family, music, cooking, art, gardening, exercise, reading, etc. can give us the break we need from our struggles so that we can recharge and refocus. Positive things will happen for our families and ourselves when we find ways to get some relief from life’s challenges. 

Seek support to gain solutions. It is important to reach out for emotional support to those you trust.  Professional support can also help us gain new skills and strategies to manage our priorities and struggles. To access advice and find solutions to problems that are affecting work, family or your well-being, contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1-800-239-3826 or eap@gov.pe.ca. It’s free and confidential.

For more information on how to work from home with kids in a pandemic, click the link: https://www.poynter.org/business-work/2020/how-to-try-to-work-from-home-with-kids-in-a-pandemic/. The article includes practical and helpful suggestions to support working from home while managing students of various ages.

Take care,

Parker Grimmer

Director, Public Schools Branch

Parker Grimmer 

Director 

Public Schools Branch 

P.O. Box 8600 

Charlottetown, P.E.I.  C1A 8V7

(Phone)368-6841 (Fax)368-6843

tpgrimmer@gov.pe.ca

With the appearance of COVID-19 in PEI, our school system was forced to act quickly to provide online, home-based learning. Many people worked diligently to meet the challenge to deliver education online to an entire K to 12 system. 

Now that we have had three months experience in this new world of education, it is appropriate to reflect on what has worked well and what has not, to help us prepare for the future. 

Through this survey, we are seeking input from parents, teachers and administrators on key issues such as student access to technology and the internet; student comfort and confidence levels with home learning; communication among teachers, students and parents; and concerns about child care. 

Your participation in the survey is important and very much appreciated. Results will be used only to identify the strengths and challenges of the home learning experience.

• The survey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
• Your responses are anonymous and confidential. There is no way to see your name or email address.
• Results go directly to survey coordinators at the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning and are recorded on a secure site.
• The survey will close at 4 PM on Friday, June 12, 2020.   https://forms.gle/Aq7CWZr74nzS8mfXA

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, and Staff;

As we move into June and the last month of school for the 2019-2020 school year, Public Schools Branch (PSB) staff are working diligently on the many year-end tasks and are planning and preparing to ensure success for September 2020. In accordance with the provisions of Phase 3 in Renew PEI, school staffs have more opportunities to support students and families throughout the month of June. 

Teachers are available to schedule in-person appointments with students who wish to review their learning, the Respite Program is being offered in all PSB schools, some teachers are connecting with students through Google Meet, and PSB consultants and school counsellors have begun to reach out to families needing specialized supports. Home learning will continue until June 12 for high school students and June 19 for K-9 students.

Schools have been very successful in finding ways to maintain connections and relationships with students and families.  As we continue to navigate our changing landscape and find our way through these unprecedented times, we want to thank students, families and staff for their efforts and for working together.

Take care,

Parker Grimmer

Director, Public Schools Branch

We have been very impressed with the work of our teachers, who have migrated to home learning platforms with tremendous efficiency and creativity during this global pandemic.  Teachers have been very busy preparing lessons, providing feedback on learning, connecting with students, working through year-end transition processes and supporting the social and emotional well-being of students. Teachers have and continue to be available to students and families through various means of communication.

Like all Islanders, staff at the Public Schools Branch (PSB) have been very encouraged with recent messaging from the province and the Chief Public Health Office (CPHO), including the positive trend toward lifting restrictions on mobility and gatherings in PEI. As home learning continues to unfold, we are able to consider broader opportunities to connect and engage with students and families. We would like to provide you with an update.

In accordance with the provisions outlined in Renew PEI, new possibilities for staff and students to connect at their respective school will be available. With the easing of restrictions, PSB staff may be available to provide additional support to students. 

As restrictions are being lifted, PSB staff are excited that there are greater opportunities to connect with students to support academic and well-being needs. Teachers will be reaching out to their students with options they can participate in.  

In addition, Respite Programming will begin operating at all 56 PSB schools. Please contact respite@edu.pe.ca or (902) 368-4997 for more information.

Student Services consultants and specialists will be in contact with families as additional supports become available. For more information please contact supportforfamilies@edu.pe.ca or (902) 368-5155.

Schools are excitedly working on plans for High School Graduations and year end closing activities, within the public health guidelines outlined by the Chief Public Health Office.  While activities will not look the same as in previous years, schools are committed to offering a unique experience to mark the end of the school year and wish their students well.

Parker Grimmer 

Director 

Public Schools Branch 

P.O. Box 8600 

Charlottetown, P.E.I.  C1A 8V7

(Phone)368-6841 (Fax)368-6843

tpgrimmer@gov.pe.ca

Tomorrow, Wednesday May 27, we begin the retrieval of locker items!

• If you are walking from the area, please enter the front doors of the school.
• If you notice others in the lobby, please remain outside.
• It may be helpful to bring reusable bags as our plastic bags are not overly durable.
• A reminder that there will be no parking on side streets to maintain traffic flow. 

There will be opportunities in the future to say goodbye and connect with staff. This process will be communicated at a later date. 

In keeping with public health guidelines and traffic safety we have developed the following retrieval plan:

*Please pick up siblings’ belongings at the oldest sibling’s time. We understand there will be some overlap in pickup times but we are trying to manage traffic flow and safety in the area. 

Dates and Times :

• Grade 9: Wednesday, May 27th 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  1. 9A/9B  8:00AM-9:00AM
  2. 9C/9D 9:00AM-10:00AM
  3. 9E/9F 10:00-11:30 AM
• Grade 8: Thursday, May 28th 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• 1. 8A/8B 8:00AM -9:00AM
  2. 8C/8D 9:00AM – 10:00AM
  3. 8E/8F 10:00AM – 11:00AM
  4. 8G/8F 11:00AM – 12:00PM
• Grade 7: Friday, May 29th 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  1. 7A/7B 8:00AM -9:00AM
  2. 7C/7D 9:00AM- 10:00AM
  3. 7E/7F 10:00AM – 11:00AM
  4. 7G/7H 11:00AM – 12:00PM

Traffic Plan:

1. Please enter Birchwood Street via Gerald Street or Lapthorne Avenue.
2. See map below:
3. https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1fTovrWIqUH6eBthz7oZxfOx9IcXRa15b8AEhXEQpoTw/edit?usp=sharin
4. *DO NOT turn onto Birchwood street from Longworth avenue. 
5. Parking is prohibited in the gym parking lot.  It is being used by the outreach centre. Please remain in your car.*
6. Turn onto Birchwood Street into the side parking lot by the cafeteria entrance (the school is on your left). We will have two lines of cars flowing in one direction. Staff will be directing traffic.
7. Please remain in your car and provide your child’s name, grade and homeroom class. A staff member will deliver your child’s belongings to your car from the cafeteria where items are organized. Please label and exchange with staff any items that you would like to return to the school.
8. Those items include grade nine instruments, library books etc, sports jerseys and Hockey Academy jerseys.
9. Please turn right onto Longworth Avenue when exiting the parking lot.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience.  If you have any questions please reach out.

Birchwood Staff