Feb 26, 2020: Update from the superintendent on COVID-19

Dear parents/guardians,

As you know, on February 21, Fraser Health provided school districts in the Fraser Valley with an update on novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Since the release of this update, many different concerns have begun to circulate online in the region.

Although school districts cannot speak about specific schools or specific individuals, I want to reassure you that the Fraser Health Authority reports there is no public threat at schools in the region or anywhere else in the province. Whenever there is a public health matter, school districts work closely with health authorities to keep students and staff safe.

This week, all school districts in the province received additional guidance from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control regarding recommended measures for preventing and controlling respiratory viruses (including COVID-19) in schools and childcare settings. We will be providing you with a summary of these recommendations shortly and will also let you know how they are being implemented in our school district and what steps you can take at home.

We understand that you may have many questions and concerns regarding the novel coronavirus. We are in regular communication with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Fraser Health, and will continue to provide you with the very latest information provided by health authorities. We will continue to send these through the parent portal and to post them to the school district website at https://www.sd42.ca/information-community-coronavirus/.

Sincerely,

Sylvia Russell
Superintendent