Dear parents and friends,
First and foremost we hope you and your families are safe and are staying healthy during this trying period.
As you have been informed, the Ministry of Education (MEES) has ordered schools across Quebec closed until at least the 1st of May because of COVID-19. All Socrates-Démosthène campuses remain closed during this time as our administrators and faculty are required to work from home.
This week, under the direction of their principals, our teachers and educators contacted the parents of students in their classes and have initiated the process of providing educational material to their students. Our school wants (and we believe it is vital) to maintain the teacher-student relationship until such time as we return to class.
This process will continue and will be enhanced as we move forward. It is important to keep in mind that we are operating under exceptional circumstances. Working from a distance, planning and organizing, has proved quite challenging. Our staff though is doing their utmost to assure the best possible education for your children faced with this new reality.
Faculty has been instructed to use every possible tool at their disposal to educate and communicate. We are also waiting for the MEES to begin forwarding additional educational material in the coming weeks. Please keep in mind that no evaluations will be conducted during the school closure. Our school encourages all its students, with the help of their parents, to follow along to the best of their capacity and capability.
Should schools not re-open this year, our students’ final evaluation will be based on the first two completed terms. All ministerial exams have been cancelled for this year. MEES has made it clear that there is no possibility of extending the school year.
Most special activities and outings have also been cancelled until the rest of the school year. We are still hopeful we will be able to hold our grade 6 graduation gala in June as well as the grade 6 and high school trips to Greece. These three activities will be reassessed in due time.
As for the school uniform for next year, our new supplier, Uniformes Lemira, has informed us that if fittings cannot be conducted in the campuses as planned (because of a possible prolonged closure), exceptionally, all orders will have to be done on line.
Meantime, please note that every campus has been completely disinfected and will remain so until students and staff return. As for recuperating any personal items or educational material during the closure, this is something our school is still examining.
Most importantly, we urge our students and their families to respect the health guidelines against COVID-19 we have been receiving and together we will get through this.
Chris Adamopoulos, Director General
