We are working with public health officials to monitor the current situation with regard to COVID-19 and will provide updated information as it becomes available. The health and safety of all students, staff and local communities remains our top priority.
On March 17, the Minister of Education suspended all in-class instruction for BC schools.
On May 6, Premier John Horgan, joined by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix, announced B.C.’s Restart Plan. Here is the news release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0026-000826 As part the plan, the province has outlined the Ministry of Education’s five stage approach to supporting students, families and staff. Here is the backgrounder (Scroll to page 3 for education information)https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BG_Parks_and_Sites_and_In-Class_Learning.pdf
On May 15, Premier Horgan, Minister Fleming, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Henry and Minister Chen updated British Columbians on the optional, part time return to school for K to 12 students to begin on June 1. Please see more here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0026-000890
CONTINUITY OF LEARNING
The Ministry of Education Keep Learning website
Frequently Asked Questions “Continuity of Learning in the K-12 education system” (Updated April 17)
COMMUNICATION FROM DELTA SCHOOL DISTRICT
May 28 – Back to School Health and Safety Protocols and FAQs
May 2020 – Delta School District COVID-19 Safety Plan
May 22 – Schools sent a letter to families providing an overview of the district’s proposed plan to resume in-class instruction on June 1. More specific information regarding child(ren)’s return to in-class instruction will be shared before Friday, May 29.
May 15 – Message from Delta School District regarding the reopening of schools
May 7 – Message to families from Superintendent Doug Sheppard
April 9 – Message to families regarding the Easter long weekend
April 3 – Message from Superintendent Doug Sheppard to families with information for the week of April 6
April 1 – Families are asked to please answer their phone even if there’s no caller ID or it’s an unfamiliar number – Teachers will begin reaching out to students this week.
March 20 – Facility rentals cancelled until May 31
March 17 – Message from Superintendent Doug Sheppard re. suspension of in-class instruction
March 13 – Message to families re. mental health resources available to help children who may feel anxious as a result of COVID-19
March 13 – Frequently Asked Questions – Information for families regarding travel plans in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
March 11 – Message re. incorrect report of COVID-19 at a school in Delta School District
March 5 – Message from Superintendent Doug Sheppard re. cancellation of school trips over spring break
February 28 – Message for families on how to help prevent and control the spread of COVID-19
January 29 – Delta School District’s Response to first case of COVID-19 in BC
INFORMATION FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES WORKERS
May 26 – The Ministry of Education has announced that schools will be open on June 1 with a priority for children of Essential Service Workers (ESWs) to be at school five days a week. The school-based childcare centres that have been open over the past two months to support children of ESWs will be closed at the end of the day on Friday, May 29.
Schools will be open for ESW students for instruction during regular school hours beginning June 1, and parents are encouraged to seek before and after care with the childcare providers they used prior to spring break.
The email that ESWs have used to request support over the last two months (ESW@deltasd.bc.ca) will be disabled at the end of this week. You should have received some information from your school principal already. If you haven’t heard from them, or if you have questions/require additional support, please contact your school principal directly.
Premier Horgan and Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced they are using extraordinary powers under a state of provincial emergency to keep British Columbians safe, maintain essential goods and services, and support the Province’s ongoing response to novel coronavirus. They announced a series of ministerial orders to ensure a co-ordinated response to COVID-19 across all levels of government for the duration of the provincial emergency. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0020-000568. Once you have clicked on this link, scroll down to see the new list of essential services in B.C. (March 26)
COMMUNICATION FROM THE BC MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
June 2 – Ministry of Education Information Bulletin – https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0037-000999
May 28 – Letter from Minister Rob Fleming and Andrea Sinclair to Parents This letter is available in other languages here: www.gov.bc.ca/SafeSchools
May 25 – British Columbia’s 61,000 Grade 12 graduates, along with kindergarten to Grade 11 students, will be the guests of honour at a special virtual graduation and end-of-school celebration. The WE Celebrate: Class of 2020 event will showcase some of B.C.’s best known singers, athletes and performers. When: May 26 at 10 a.m. (Pacific time). Where: WE’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WEmovement/ or WE’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/wemovement
May 15 – Optional, part-time return to school for K to 12 students to begin on June 1. Please see more here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0026-000890
May 6 – B.C.’s Restart Plan news release –https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0026-000826
April 26 – The Ministry of Education put out a news release to support LGBTQ2S+ students during the pandemic –https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0020-000755
April 24 – Check out the new “Good News in Education” webpage highlighting remarkable stories of students, educators, parents, staff and communities who are going above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic as they find new creative ways of learning and teaching. New stories will be added every week! https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/program-management/safe-caring-and-orderly-schools/good-news
Minister Fleming released an Op-Ed (Education Week in extraordinary times) in the Vancouver Sun – https://vancouversun.com/opinion/rob-fleming-educators-are-taking-their-creativity-and-compassion-to-a-whole-new-level/ (April 14)
Letter to the Editor by Minister Fleming in the Alaska Highway News (April 9)
Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix participate in a Global BC News Town Hall (April 9)
Education Minister Rob Fleming answers questions submitted by Global BC viewers (Focus BC, April 3)
The Ministry of Education has secured and funded licences for the application Zoom for all K-12 public and independent schools in B.C. (April 1)
A joint letter for Parents from Minister Fleming and the BCCPAC re. continuation of learning for students (March 27)
French, Chinese and Punjabi translations
A letter from Education Minister Rob Fleming in-school classes are suspended until further notice (March 17)
French, Chinese and Punjabi translations
A letter from the Ministry of Education on BC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (March 13)
French, Chinese and Punjabi translations
BC MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICER UPDATES
June 3 – Today, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced 22 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., bringing the total number of cases to 2,623 – 2,243 people who tested positive have recovered. The joint statement will be posted on the Ministry of Health newsroom later today – https://news.gov.bc.ca/ministries/health
You can find daily COVID-19 testing numbers on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s COVID-19 dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/hea…/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
May 27 – Letter from Fraser Health re. Safe Return to Schools
The Provincial Health Officer’s letter to parents and guardians within the school system re. COVID-19. (February 7)
USEFUL LINKS
- All guidelines and materials from the PHO can be found here – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
- Information about COVID-19, including information for schools and families, is regularly updated on the BC Centre for Disease Control site: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/childcare-schools
- “7 Tips for talking to kids about COVID-19” poster on the Fraser Health website – https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/coronavirus/coronavirus—resources#.Xo4_lbNYZPZ
- The Provincial Pandemic Coordination plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/reports-publications/pandemic-provincial-coordination-plan.pdf
- KIDS and COVID-19 QA: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)#For–schools–and–childcare
- Ministry of Health response plans – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/pandemic-influenza
- Government of Canada – Novel Coronavirus in China Travel Health Notice: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/210
COVID-19 PREVENTION
There are many things you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your community. Please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website for preventative measures and actions you can take to stay healthy. Below are links to helpful BCCDC posters and factsheets:
- COVID-19 prevention poster
- Physical distancing poster (English)
- Hand washing poster
- Hand sanitizer poster
- Be prepared infographic
- Do not enter if you are sick or required to self-isolate poster
- Be prepared factsheet
- Care for yourself and others
- Tips for residents of apartments and other multi-unit buildings
- Cleaning and disinfecting public settings
- Physical distancing
HEALTH CARE SERVICES
The Provincial Health Officer advises anyone who is concerned that they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to contact their primary care provider or call 811. Translation services for 811 are available in more than 130 languages.
The Government of BC has also established a non-medical information hotline at 1-888-COVID19. Phone lines are open 7 days a week and information is available in more than 110 languages.
Additionally, you can use the COVID-19 self-assessment tool by visiting https://covid19.thrive.health/ If you have symptoms, you can call 8-1-1 to pre-arrange testing. If you have symptoms associated with COVID-19, self-isolate.
EMERGENCY HELP
The Fraser Health Crisis Line provides immediate, free, and confidential emotional support, crisis intervention and community resource information to people of all ages, 24 hours a day – everyday.
Call 604 951 8855 / 1 877 820 7444