Feb. 3, 2021: Letter for families from Superintendent Harry Dhillon

Dear families,

This morning Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside announced updates to the Provincial COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines for K-12 School Settings. The updated document is available on the Ministry of Education website with a summary of key changes highlighted in yellow. The modifications include changes to mask guidelines in schools, which are outlined below.

STUDENTS: Secondary schools

At the secondary level, there is now a requirement for students to wear a mask in schools, both within and outside of their learning group, except when:

• sitting in (or standing at) their seat or desk/workstation in a classroom or learning space;
• there is a barrier in place;
• eating or drinking; and
• outdoors.

Exceptions will be made for students who cannot wear a mask.

STUDENTS: Elementary schools

Elementary students are not required to wear a mask in schools or on school buses. Elementary student mask use should be based on their personal or family/caregiver choice, and their choices must be respected.

STAFF: Elementary and secondary schools

All K-12 staff are required to wear a mask in schools, both within and outside of their learning group, except when:

• sitting in (or standing at) their seat or desk/workstation in a classroom or learning space;
• there is a barrier in place;
• eating and drinking; and
• outdoors.

Exceptions will be made for staff who cannot wear a mask.

I encourage you to review the updated provincial guidelines and to reach out to your child’s school principal if you have any questions. Teachers and administrators will be reinforcing the new guidelines with students this week, and the new mask guidelines will be implemented starting Monday, February 8, 2021. Other key revisions will be formalized at the school level and updated in the school district Safety Plan in the coming week.

To learn more about this morning’s announcement, you can review the Ministry of Education’s news release on Enhanced safety measures for K-12 schools and watch the announcement at https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021EDUC0011-000201, or review the updated provincial K-12 Education Restart Plan. Additional information is also available on the BC Centre for Diseases Control K-12 Schools and COVID-19 website.

Sincerely,

Harry Dhillon
Superintendent of Schools