Dear families,
For your information, we have received and reviewed the updated Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings and Public Health Communicable Diseases Guidance for K-12 Schools. There are no significant changes to these documents, which were previously updated in August 2022. As we head into cold and flu season, however, I do want to highlight as a reminder the following three key points:
- Health awareness: There is a continued expectation that students and staff who are sick and unable to participate fully in routine activities stay home. If your child is sick, please keep them home so that they can properly rest and recover. Students and staff can return to school once they feel well enough to participate in all activities.
- Masks: Choosing to wear a mask or face covering is a personal choice. Schools will continue to respect individual choices, recognizing that there are varying personal comfort levels.
- Vaccination: Finally, vaccines continue to be important tools to protect against serious outcomes of many communicable diseases, including COVID-19 and influenza. You can find evidence-based immunization information and tools on the BC Centre for Disease Control and the ImmunizeBC websites.
Thank you for working with us to help keep our schools healthy,
Harry Dhillon
Superintendent of Schools