Hello Families,

Cold Day: I hope you’re staying warm today. It’s a weekend for indoor books, games, and food. If it’s not warmer tomorrow, there will not be school, for the safety of all. Please watch our Facebook page (also available at the bottom of our webpage) for a post tomorrow morning.

Covid-19: Last week, the Ministry of Education announced enhanced safety measures for K-12 schools to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We are reviewing our safety plan and making any changes needed to comply with the new requirements. Our updated safety plan will be posted on our website within the next couple of weeks.

Gr 7 – 12 students (along with all staff), will now be required to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas. The only exceptions are when:

– they are seated or standing at their desks/workstation in a classroom

– when there is a barrier in place

– if they are eating or drinking

Masks for K – Gr 6 students remain optional at school based on family preference, though we do request that Gr 5/6 continue to wear them while riding our school bus.

Information about masks and the different types can be read here: Masks (bccdc.ca). Please take time this week to ensure the students in your family have enough comfortable masks so they can have a clean one each day. We do have some cloth ones at school if a student/family would prefer that option. We will be transitioning into this change this week and requesting full compliance by February 16, 2021.

Although this is a difficult change for some, we appreciate being in school in person and not asked to learn online or part-time in person. Thank you for doing your part to help keep us in school. With it being so cold, shorter days (though getting longer!), potential fears of the pandemic, and other life circumstances, mental health challenges are very real. Please reach out to someone at school if you or your child is struggling and we will help get through this together.

Illness Tool: We appreciate the precaution we have seen from you about staying home when illness is a potential concern. If you’re unsure whether your child should attend school or when to call 8-1-1, here is a new tool to help: K-12 Health Check (gov.bc.ca).

Downhill Ski Day: Our ski day on February 22 for K-Gr 6 to Bear Mountain is a go! Slips with pricing and request for payment will be sent home our next day of school, if you don’t have it already. We are also planning a ski trip to Powder King for Gr 7-12. We are hoping for Feb 22, but still waiting on confirmation from Powder King. The cost for lift ticket, full rental and transportation will be $75/student.

Student Led Interviews: Due to the constraints of meeting in person and challenges of Zoom, we are planning to send information home for parents and students to discuss together on the 17th and 18th. All forms returned will be entered in for a prize draw.

Please enjoy some sunshine through a window today!

Mrs. Atherton