Dear Parents,
I am very pleased to announce that The Education Bureau (EDB) has approved our Class Resumption Plan and we can begin to resume classes as of Wednesday 16th September, 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak has meant our school community has had to spend an extended period apart and we have had a unique beginning to our school year. We are all incredibly thankful that our school community can come back together and move forward collectively.
The EDB granted us permission to support our EY1 students transition to the main campus through an orientation program and Year 12 and 13 examination classes will also return early to our North Plaza campus. From the 16th September until the 22nd September, these classes will be in school for half day sessions only and all students will leave the school campus at lunchtime. As of the 23rd September they will resume full days as per the times below.
The EDB has confirmed that DBIS is allowed to reopen for face to face teaching for our Nursery and Reception children. Whilst we would have liked to have been able to offer a full day programme, the EDB has stipulated that we are only allowed to open for a restricted number of hours on our Early Years Campus. On resumption of classes our Nursery children will begin face to face teaching through a staggered start. Our Head of Early Years, Hannah Cole, will be in touch with you all shortly to provide greater detail on the process of return to school for Nursery and Reception classes.
Taking the above into consideration and in line with the EDB approval to reopen. The EDB stated that class resumption needs to be phased in a gradual and orderly manner. Classes in our school will resume according to the following schedule:
| Year Level | Date of class resumption | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| EY1, Years 12 & 13 | 16.09.2020 | This will be half days only until 22.09.2020 and then full days starting 23.09.2020. |
| Reception, Years 3, 4, 7, 11 | 23.09.2020 | Full days, except for Reception students (until 13:00). |
| Nursery, EY2, Years 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 | 29.09.2020 | Full days, except for Nursery students (staggered times). |
For further details about the school day and hygiene measures please refer to the Class Resumption Page on the Hub.
The safety of your children and our school community is of paramount importance to us. We have comprehensive plans in place to limit the risks associated with COVID-19 and the reopening of our campuses. More information will be sent to you regarding educational provision from the Heads of Phase in the coming days.
With concerted efforts contributed by different parties, we look forward to overcoming the adversities of the pandemic so that students, teachers and parents can resume normal living and a healthy life. We would like to thank all members of the community for your help with navigating this most difficult of times.
Kind regards
Pam Cassidy
Deputy Head of Early Years
Discovery Bay International School