MG Covid Guidelines for 2021-2022
We require all parents to read and understand this document prior to sending your child to school. School procedures have changed somewhat, may, or may not be familiar to you and your children, depending if you were an Option 4 learner last year. Therefore you may or may not be familiar with Maple Grove Covid guidelines. Nevertheless, we are a caring school community and we want to ensure the safety and security of all adults and students in the building. There are many new and continuing processes, routines and safety measures that will be part of the day. This is likely the new normal for society and schools.
Covid Guidelines – MG plan for the 2021/2022 school year
1) Instruction will be in-person– (there are distance ed; VLN and homeschooling options and there is an adjustment that students who enrol in distance ed, may come back to Maple Grove in Sept 2022 providing there is space). This is NEW.
2) Schools remain closed to the public and parents– (however, parents may call the school (604)-713-5356 to make appointments to conduct school business.
(a) Parents must have permission from the Admin to enter the school.
(b) Parents must complete a Daily Health Check (DHC) from the district App if they have an appointment
(c) Parents must wear a mask.
(d) Parents must sign the “Visitor Log-In” including providing their phone number for Provincial Health Authority (PHA) Contact Tracing.
3) Lining Up- Before School (Entrance/ Exit)
(a) Students will continue to line up outside the school in the morning.
(b) Classes will line up outside the school each morning where they did last school year… EXCEPT primary Montessori. They will line up on the Westside of the school in the new westside shared maple courtyard (see map)
Div 1, 2, 3, 4. Willow Pod
Div 5, 6, 7, 8. Birch Pod
Div 9, 10, 11, 12. Cherry Blossom Pod
Div 13, 14, 22. Ponderosa Pine Pod
Div, 15, 16, 17, 18. Douglas Fir Pod
Div 19, 20, 21. Cedar Pod
(c) Be advised that Cavell School starts 15 minutes before Maple Grove and ends 15 Minutes before Maple Grove. (Do not come to school early). Avoid the traffic. We encourage parents to park a block or two away from the school and spend some quality morning time walking and talking as they approach school. This is a really good time to prep your child for their school day and talk shop. Its also good bonding time; telling stories; encouraging your child; and sharing your childhood experiences.
4) Students must wear a mask- All K to 12 staff, students in grades 4 to 12, and visitors are required to wear masks in all indoor areas, including: At their desks; lining up outside; on school buses. Exceptions to the mask policy include:
(a) A person who cannot tolerate wearing a mask for health or behavioural reasons
(b) A person unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person
(c) If the mask is removed temporarily for the purposes of identifying the person wearing it
(d) If the mask is removed temporarily to engage in an educational activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask. For example:
(e) Playing a wind instrument
(f) Engaging in high-intensity physical activity
(g) If a person is eating or drinking
(h) If a person is behind a barrier
(i) While providing a service to a person with a disability or diverse ability (for example, a hearing impairment), where visual cues, facial expressions and/or lip reading/movements are important
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 Students in K-3 are encouraged to wear a mask indoors in schools and on school buses. It is recommended they wear a mask, but it is not required. Mask wearing remains a personal or family choice for these students.
5) Classes will eat lunch in their classroom– As per last year, classes will continue to eat lunch in their classroom. The exception will be the K’s. They will eat lunch in the multipurpose room.
6) Daily Cleaning- School surfaces will continue to be surface cleaned once daily. Our engineering staff are aware of these guidelines.
7) Ventilation- The VSB has upgraded all schools to include MERV 13 filters. They have also increased air circulation and extended the hours of air intake through the course of each day. VSB schools conform to American Society of Heating, Refrigerating adn Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) practises. These include:
- Regular inspection and maintenance of HVAC systems
- Increased supply of outside air to dilute indoor contaminants
- Upgraded filtration, including installing MERV-13 filters where possible
- Use of other air cleaning or treatment technologies
- Management of energy use and air distribution through building automation control systems
8) Daily Health Check (DHC) App. The VSB has just developed an, “app for that”. Use the APP
The K to 12 Health Check website and app is an easy way to decide if your child should attend school based on their symptoms. It includes current health guidelines and offers an age-appropriate user experience for K to 12 students. Download the app:
Details and updated links will be forthcoming.
9). Important Links
- Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K to 12 Settings (PDF, 680KB)
- BCCDC COVID-19 Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K to 12 School Settings (PDF, 1.3MB)
- B.C.’s K to 12 Education Recovery Plan (PDF, 948KB)
COVID-19 protocols if someone gets sick
Students and staff who become sick at school
If a student or staff member develops symptoms at school:
- They will be given a mask and separated from their classmates or colleagues.
- Separated children will be supervised and cared for
- The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted, and asked to have their child picked up as soon as possible
- Staff will be asked to go home as soon as possible
- Custodial staff will clean and disinfect the areas the person used
COVID-19 exposure at school
If a student or staff member is confirmed to have COVID-19, and were potentially infectious while they were at school:
- Public health will investigate to determine if there were any potential close contacts within the school
If it is determined that there are close contacts within the school, public health will:
- Notify the school administrators and request information to assist with contact tracing from VCH
- Provide guidance on what steps should be taken
Public health may then:
- Recommend 14-day self-isolation if necessary
- Recommend self-monitoring for symptoms if necessary
- Provide follow-up recommendations if necessary
Schools will ensure students who required to self-isolate are able to continue their educational program. Together, schools and public health officials will determine if any other actions are necessary.
Parents, caregivers and families will be notified by public health if your child was determined to be a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person.
In and outside the classroom
Music and physical education programs
Students can participate in music and physical education programs, with additional safety measures in place.
- Masks aren’t required when doing activities that cannot be performed while wearing a mask, like playing a wind instrument or participating in high-intensity physical activity
- Students must continue to wear masks while singing
- Shared equipment will be cleaned and disinfected and students are encouraged to wash their hands before and after use
- Students will be asked not to share equipment that touches the mouth, like an instrument mouth piece or mouthguard, unless cleaned and disinfected in between uses
Sports, clubs and extracurricular activities
Activities like sports team practices and games, sports academies and events can continue. They will follow local, regional and provincial public health recommendations and orders for community gatherings and events.
- Sport and extracurricular activities should be held outside whenever possible
- Students will be encouraged to wash their hands before and after using equipment and cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing
- Students will be asked not to share equipment that touches the mouth unless cleaned and disinfected in between uses
School meal programs
Food services (meal programs, cafeterias and fundraisers) will operate normally in the 2021/2022 school year.
School districts with existing meal programs will continue to work with community partners to provide meal support to families in need, in line with current public health guidelines.
Playgrounds
Playgrounds are a safe environment. There is no evidence of COVID-19 transmission in playgrounds. The following measures should be taken when using playgrounds:
- Ensure students wash their hands before and after outdoor play
- Minimize direct contact between students
More information on playgrounds is available from the BCCDC.
Assemblies, concerts and gatherings
MG will take a cautious approach to assemblies. We may stream our assemblies for the first part of the term or split the school into Primary/ Intermediate to monitor numbers.
Added supports for students and staff
Mental health
As a result of the pandemic, we know students, educators, staff and administrators are living with anxiety, stress and other mental health needs.
Government has provided a one-time $5 million investment to support mental health services for students and staff, in addition to existing funding. These funds will allow schools to expand existing programs and introduce new supports to address the mental health needs of students and staff.
In spring 2021, a mental health working group was established with representatives from the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC), primary care, government, Indigenous educators and rights holders, administrative and union groups and other stakeholders in education. The working group is outlining key principles and developing resources to ensure the mental health needs of students and staff are being met.
Indigenous students
The ministry fully respects the jurisdiction of First Nations and their right to make their own decisions about First Nations schools. Visit the First Nations Schools Association website for the latest updates.
In the spirit of reconciliation and consistent with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, public and independent schools have been asked to engage with First Nations communities who have students enrolled in district schools as soon as possible to discuss return to school plans for September.
- School boards and independent school authorities must also work with Métis Nation British Columbia for plans for Métis students attending public or independent schools
- Boards must identify Indigenous students whose educational outcomes may have been negatively impacted during in-class suspension, with support planned and prioritized
International students
International students arriving in or returning to B.C. are required to self-isolate for 14 days if they are not fully vaccinated (have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine administered more than 14 days prior to arrival). The following vaccines are approved for entry to Canada:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
Students are also required to submit a self-isolation plan and complete the federal ArriveCAN application prior to arrival.
- Current federal travel guidance and requirements for entering Canada
- Federal checklists and exemptions for international students
Education programs
In-class instruction
There is no substitute for in-class instruction. It provides students with face-to-face teacher-led learning, peer engagement, supports social and emotional development and decreases feelings of isolation. School also provides many students access to supports they can’t get at home and is integral to their overall health.
Online learning
Both public and independent online learning schools offer online classes. Students in kindergarten to Grade 7 must take a full course load at one school, while students in Grades 8 to 12 may learn from home entirely, or learn at school and take some courses online.T. here are 48 school districts with 53 public schools offering online learning courses. Independent online learning schools also offer courses and programs. Watch for details in the coming week on VLN students allowed to register at their home school for Sept ’22 providing there is space.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is typically led by a family member who delivers an educational program to a child at home.
Note: Homeschoolers are not eligible to receive a British Columbia Dogwood Graduation Certificate.
Homebound education
If you have a child who is immunocompromised or has a serious medical condition, you may be able to access the homebound program. Contact your local school district for more information.
Covid Information Resources
Throughout the Spring, the MoE/ VCH/ VSB and school provided updates as to the status of schools, teaching and learning, June restart and year end. This is a summary of some of those communiques. For further information, please go to the VSB website and follow the appropriate link(s). We have not included school communications as those are archived (by date) in our blog posts or were sent directly to parent email addresses through our SIS MyEd BC (meaning you already have a record of them).
COVID-19 Updates
The Vancouver School District continues to take the lead of our public health authority, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). Please visit its website for information and updates, including an FAQ. We will continue to share new information from the Ministry of Health, the Provincial Health Officer and VCH as it becomes available.
Ministry of Education & BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils – Letter to Parents and Guardians– June 25, 2020
Update: Rentals of District Facilities – June 10, 2020
Delegations to Standing Committees – June 5, 2020
Letter from Minister of Education and Andrea Sinclair, President of the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (updated) – May 28, 2020
Re-opening of playgrounds – May 28, 2020
Elementary return update – May 28, 2020
Health and safety elementary information – May 28, 2020
Secondary return update – May 28, 2020
Health and safety secondary information – May 28, 2020
Update: In-school child care for children of essential services workers – May 22, 2020
VCH Update: Safety of the school environment during the COVID-19 pandemic – May 21, 2020
FAQs: In-class instruction resumes – May 19, 2020
Superintendent’s letter to Parents and Guardians (updated) – May 19, 2020
Tennis courts to open – May 8, 2020
District Graduation Plans for Class 2020 – May 5, 2020
Changes to Summer School 2020 – May 5, 2020
Sports fields closed on VSB properties – April 16, 2020
FAQs for child care for children of essential services workers – April 16, 2020
FAQs during COVID-19 pandemic – April 8, 2020
Child care for children of essential services workers – April 7, 2020
Superintendent’s letter to Parents and Guardians – April 3, 2020
Child care for essential service workers – March 28, 2020
Ministry of Education and BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils – Letter to Parents and Guardians – March 27, 2020
Superintendent’s letter to Parents and Guardians – March 27, 2020
VSB cancels or postpones several public meetings – March 25, 2020
Additional restrictions on VSB school property – March 23, 2020
VSB Playground Update – March 20, 2020
Superintendent’s letter to Parents and Guardians – March 17, 2020
Ministry of Education letter – March 17, 2020
Letter from the Deputy Minister of Education – March 13, 2020
VCH Update on novel coronavirus – March 12, 2020
A message from the Superintendent: COVID-19 – March 11, 2020
LINKS
VCH Information on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
CBC and PHO Kid-centric Q&A video
ARCHIVED
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) B.C. public health guidance for schools and childcare programs – Feb. 23, 2020
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