Return to School Plan
Polaris Covid-19 policy and protocols
We are looking forward to welcoming students back to Polaris this fall and know that it will be a challenging year. Our goal is to create a place where they can feel secure and welcome, and where they can safely return to a healthy rhythm and routine. Waldorf education in itself is holistic and healing, so we feel the curriculum already has the tools needed to help during this pandemic. We will be focussing more on the healing aspects of the curriculum, such as bringing the classroom outdoors, and doing more art and movement. 
 
Our approach to COVID-19 is to try and find a balance between physical risk and the emotional and developmental well-being of the children. Our intention is to provide a healing environment for the children, not one that will create more anxiety for them. It is a top priority to keep this balance in mind throughout the summer as things unfold. To this end we have been working with and learning from both regional Waldorf schools and the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and have reviewed recommendations from both Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa.
 
Note, that we have received confirmation that Polaris, along with other Private Schools in Ontario, once given authorization to re-open will not be regulated by the Ministry of Education in regards to our COVID policy. Each school is expected to create their own and comply with local health authorities. We will be working with Ottawa Public Health and taking into consideration their recommendations for school re-opening moving forward.
 
We would like to highlight that the information contained on this page can change at any time. There may be changes made throughout the year as things unfold that are beyond our control. As the situation around COVID evolves, so may our procedures and protocols.  However, our commitment to the well-being of the children under our care will not waiver. 
​Polaris Return to School Overview
  • Kindergarten: 3, 4 and 5 day options available. 
  • Grades and High School: 4 and 5 day options available. Our Main lesson program will run from Monday to Thursday and our Nature Connect Program will be held on Fridays.
  • Average class sizes of 12 students or less.
  • Limited interaction among students from different classes and social distancing in shared spaces.
  • Limit on the number of adults interacting with any one class.
  • Classes will spend more time outdoors.
  • Teachers are ready to move to remote learning when/if needed throughout the year to ensure the transition between in class and remote learning is smooth. 
  • Enhanced health and safety protocols in accordance with Ottawa Public Health (these are changing regularly and will be updated closer to the start of the school year)
  • Note, that we will not require the use of masks in the classroom by teachers or students. If a family chooses to do so their choice will of course be respected.  

Please contact us, we welcome your feedback and questions.