Updated January 9, 2022

As variants of Covid-19 continue to come along, the BC Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education continue to adjust.  BC is committed to in-person learning for our students for which we are grateful.  We continue to follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Education, the BCCDC and WCB to keep our school a safe place for our students and staff, while still allowing for a full program of learning.

School is considered lower risk than some other activities because:
• Schools include a consistent grouping of people.
• Schools have robust illness policies for students and staff.
• Schools can implement effective personal practices that can be consistently reinforced and are followed by most people in the setting (e.g. diligent hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, etc.).
• Schools can implement a variety of health and safety measures (e.g., enhanced cleaning and disinfecting practices, using outdoor space for learning activities, grouping students and staff in learning groups to limit in-person interactions, implementing staggered schedules, etc.)

We have a comprehensive safety plan, in accordance with all the guidelines for everyone’s safety.  In summary, this plan includes:

Covid-19 Safety Measures

Stay Home When Sick

  • Parents are requested to do a daily health check of their children at home for symptoms.
  •  If unsure of whether your child should attend school or when to call 8-1-1, use this tool: Daily Health Check (gov.bc.ca).
  • Staff will screen themselves for symptoms each morning.
  • If a student or staff member begins to show symptoms at school, they will be provided with a mask, and isolated in a spare room (with supervision) until they can be sent home.

Hand Hygiene

  • Students should clean their hands before they leave home to take the bus, when they leave school prior to taking the bus, and when they get home.
  • Hand hygiene will be required upon entry/exit of the building, when transitioning from area of the school to another, before/after using any shared items, before/after eating and after using the washroom.  Sanitation stations are placed at all entrances to the building and in each classroom and common area.

Respiratory & Personal Hygiene

  • Cough and sneeze into their elbow, sleeve, or a tissue.
  • Throw away used tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene.
  • No sharing of food, drinks, or personal items.
  • Only personal items that are necessary, should be brought to school (e.g., backpacks, water bottles, reusable food containers)
  • Items brought regularly to and from school should be limited to those that can be easily cleaned (e.g. reusable food containers) and/or are considered to be low risk (e.g. clothing, paper, etc.).

Physical Distancing & Minimizing Physical Contact

  • Visual reminders for minimizing physical contact provided for students and staff.
  • K – Gr 12 students and all staff will wear masks except:
      • during high physical exertion
      • when eating and drinking; or
      • while outdoors
      • after conversation with Principal and parents regarding a psychological, behavioural or health condition, or a physical, cognitive, or mental impairment
  • Parents and visitors are allowed in the building as needed for educational purposes, with the requirement to wear a mask.
  • Bus transportation for students will include a seating chart.  All students and driver will wear masks while on the bus.

Cleaning & Disinfection

  • Daily cleaning & disinfecting will take place, both in the classrooms and in shared spaces.

Additional details can be found within our Communicable Disease Prevention Policy.

Resources: