Firstly, Happy New Year to all our parents, guardians, and learners. May 2021 be everything that you plan and hope for it to be. We hope that this year will be prosperous despite all the chaos regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. Also thank you for entrusting us with one of the most important gifts you can give your child, namely a quality education.
With the announcement of Friday, 15 January 2021, that schools will only open 15 February, parents, learners and teachers experienced mixed emotions. Many believe that the schools should only open on the 15th February whilst others argue that a controlled school environment is safer for learners, and that teaching time should be used to the utmost. Carpe Diem Academy, after a meeting with the Senior Management Team this morning, have made the decision to open earlier than public schools.
In this difficult time, there are no right or easy answers. We believe that being at school provides the best opportunity for learners to reach their full potential. No one knows what the rest of the year will hold, therefore it is of vital importance to use all the teaching time that we have available. Further, it is our
opinion that a controlled environment at school where preventative measures can be implemented and monitored is safer for the learners than the limited control experienced with most secondary activities the learners are involved in over the holidays.
Independent schools, as with Carpe Diem Academy are not precluded from opening earlier provided all safety procedures and protocols are in place.
On this point and because the learners and teacher’s safety are of utmost importance to us, we want to reassure parents about our safety procedures and protocols as has been implemented from the onset of the classes in this pandemic. These include, but are not limited to the following:
- The school is cleaned every day with disinfectants,
- There are ample sanitation stations around the school premises,
- All learners and staff always wear masks,
- Learners stay in one class throughout the day to limit the contact between learners and ensure no desk sharing,
- Social distancing is maintained with the classroom seating arrangements.
The opening of the school will take a phased approach as set out below:
- Teachers and staff will return to school on 25 January.
- Learners will attend school on one day only from 27-29 January. This will be to load textbooks onto tablets, hand out stationary packs and provide training on a new online schooling platform
(should it be necessary to use in the future).
Grade 8 and Grade 10 – 27 January
Grade 9 and Grade 11 – 28 January
Grade 12 – 29 January - Classes will start 1 February 2021.
- Given the effectiveness of physical classes compared to online classes we would prefer that the learners physically attend school rather than online, however taking cognizance of the uncertainty and concerns during this time please inform us of your preference in this regard via email to reception@carpediemacademy.co.za. We would appreciate feedback by no later than 22 January.
- The final decision of online classes versus physical classes will be made based on the outcome of this poll and will be communicated to all by 23 January.
While we assure you of our best efforts in ensuring the safety off all, it is understandable that people are scared, hesitant and unsure of the best route to take. Please feel free to contact the undersigned should you wish to discuss.
On this point and because the learners and teacher’s safety are of utmost importance to us, we want to reassure parents about our safety procedures and protocols as has been implemented from the onset of the classes in this pandemic. These include, but are not limited to the following:
