COVID 19 School Procedures – Updated March 28, 2022

The Provincial Health Officer maintains that facilities that provide learning/childcare services can safely care for children if they are following the prescribed Public Health protocols. This document follows the current health protocols (as of March 28, 2022) and is for parents to see how safety concerns are being addressed and updated at the school at this time.

Please read through the following changes.

Parents visiting the office: In order to minimize traffic and contact in the school offices we prefer and encourage parents to communicate with the office by email or phone. Much of the need for form/cheque submission has been greatly reduced this year or have moved online. Parents are welcome to come into the building to talk with our office staff. We do ask that you communicate through the window rather than entering the office. There are sanitizers at the entrance for parents/guests entering. The choice to mask is up to the individual, however for some events it may be required (whole school gatherings, chapels). Masks are available at the office.

Drop-Off:
Elementary Campus: Parents and students may wear masks while waiting outside, if they choose to. Parents will drop off students in the parking lot (behind the buildings by the breezeway) or walk them to the parking lot. The parking lot will be divided into sections and the students grouped into their cohorts. Students will be asked to stand in designated areas in the parking lot while they wait for the school doors to open. Students and families will need to dress for the weather as they will be waiting outside in the elements until directed to enter. At 8:40 am, when the classrooms are ready to receive students, staff will begin allowing students to enter the building and proceed to their classroom.

Middle School Campus: Parents and students may wear masks while waiting outside. Students are permitted to enter the building prior to classes commencing at 8:30 am.

Student Health Assessment: Parents MUST conduct a daily health assessment prior to sending their child(ren) to school. Teachers will still be taking temperatures using our contactless thermometers. Questions may also be asked of the student by the teacher at any time. Any children with any of the following symptoms, will not be permitted to attend and will be sent home:
-fever (greater than 38 degrees Celsius/100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)
-cough or worsening chronic cough
-shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
-loss of sense of smell or taste
-chills
-diarrhea
-vomiting

Pick-Up:
Elementary Campus: We will be returning to our usual dismissal format with a few minor changes to note. The parking lot will be open for parking, however, parents are required to stay outside the school building unless visiting the office or have a scheduled meeting with a teacher. Parents may choose to wear masks when picking up, as many may be congregating in the same space and physical distancing may be difficult. Once your child(ren) has been collected, please leave the school grounds so others may come in to pick up their children.
Middle School Campus: Parents are required to stay outside the school building unless visiting the office or have a scheduled meeting with a teacher. Parents may choose to wear masks when picking up, as many may be congregating in the same space and physical distancing may be difficult.

Bathroom use:
Elementary Campus: Different bathrooms will be designated for different grades and only two students will be allowed in at a time. Students may need to call in to see how many are already there. If they need to wait, there will be markers on the floor outside for students to stand as they wait their turn and maintain physical distancing.
Middle School Campus: Only two students will be allowed in the bathrooms at a time.

Water Fountains: We will only be using the bottle refill feature at our water fountains. Students will need to bring in a reusable water bottle to fill and drink from throughout the day.

Classroom ventilation and air quality: New HEPA filter air purifiers will be used to clean the air in each classroom.

Recess/Lunch:
Elementary Campus: During recess, we continue to stagger play with K-2’s out first, then the grades 3-5. At lunch, when we are able to go across the street to the park, the whole school is out as there is plenty of space to spread out. Students will be eating lunch at their own desks and will be washing with soap and water before and after eating. Please pack lunches that students can open on their own. For our older students (Grades 4/5s classes that have a microwave in class) microwaving will be permitted, provided cleaning protocols (sanitize after each use) are followed.
Middle School Campus: Students will be eating lunch at their own desks and will be washing with soap and water before and after eating. Microwaving will be permitted, provided cleaning protocols (sanitize after each use) are followed.

Masks/Face Shields: Facial covering is now a personal choice for staff and students (unless otherwise specified – large gatherings like chapel, in-person concerts). If anyone is in need of a mask, the office will provide him/her with a new disposable mask for the day.
Staff health assessment: All staff will be conducting a daily self-assessment and will report to the Principal if there are symptoms or any health concerns.

Bus safety: Facial coverings are a personal choice on the bus. The bus will be disinfected after each trip.

Hand Washing: Students will be washing their hands more frequently throughout the day and it will be structured within their schedules. Bathrooms and classrooms are equipped with touchless soap dispensers. Students will wash their hands:
– When they enter the building (arrival, and outdoor times – recess and lessons)
– Before and after eating/drinking
– After using the toilet
– After sneezing or coughing into hands/arm/tissue
– Whenever hands are visibly dirty
– Moving from different areas
*If a sink is not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be available for student use with supervision.

Enhanced Cleaning: A staff member will be on-site the whole day to perform a routine of increased cleaning and sanitizing before and after school, and throughout the day as needed.

Birthdays: Students/Families will no longer be allowed to bring in homemade food/items to share in the celebration of birthdays or other events. Manufactured AND individually wrapped by the manufacturer items may be shared (granola bars, bagged crackers, etc). Students will be directed to bring these items home before opening to show to parents. We ask that parents communicate intentions to teachers (for feedback) prior to sending to school and parents to exercise COVID19 awareness to others’ sensitivities.

Procedure if a student/staff member develops any symptoms while at school: The individual exhibiting the symptom(s) will be removed from the area and supervised in our connection room. They will be given a mask to wear, if they are not already wearing one. Parents/Emergency contacts will be contacted to come and pick up the individual as soon as possible. The area the individual was in will be sanitized and cleaned by our on-site personnel. The individual should follow the BCCDC guidelines for when to return to school.

Procedure if a suspected or positive case is confirmed: We ask that families use their rapid tests to determine if an illness is COVID19 or not. Although it is not a requirement, if positive we would appreciate being notified to help us improve our ability to monitor absences at the school.