FAQs – Jan 2022

We would like to clarify a few things with regards to our re-opening. Please keep in mind that these are in place, for the interim as outlined by the public health authorities. It is our prayer that as the Omicron variant hits its peak and starts to decrease, we can remove some of these restrictions.

Please use the Thrive App to do a daily health check.

COVID-19 BC Support App and Self-Assessment Tool

bc.thrive.health

DISMISSAL

We are doing staggered pick up time

2:45 for Primary (K-3)

2:55 Intermediates

Please leave the pick up lanes for primary during their time so that we can get traffic moving. If you are picking up from primary and intermediate, please park in the parking lot for ease. We are hoping that this is just for the interim.If a child is displaying symptoms but has not tested, how long do we need to keep them home?

If your child is showing symptoms but is fully vaccinated, they must stay home for FIVE consecutive full days and be symptom free when they return.

If your child is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, they must stay home for TEN consecutive days and be symptom free upon return.

Even if your child is symptom free DURING their 5 or 10 days, they must complete the full isolation period at home.What does fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated mean?

Fully vaccinated is someone who has had TWO doses of vaccines and 21 days has elapsed since the last dose.

Partially vaccinated is someone who has has only ONE dose OR

someone whose has less than 21 days since their second dose.

Unvaccinated is someone who has not received any doses of vaccines.If my child is home due to illness, will we be able to collect school work?

Yes, if your child is home ill and is able to do work, please contact your child’s teacher for work.

Teachers are not able to provide work or support if you are choosing to keep your child home for other reasons or if you are going on vacation when school is in session.Will we be receive exposure notices or self monitoring notices from Fraser Health?

We have been told by Fraser Health that contact tracing capacity has been exceeded. Tracing has very limited effectiveness due to the rapid rate of spread seen with the omicron variant.

Omicron seems to have its onset within about two days after the initial exposure – which decreases usefulness of contract tracing. By the time contract tracing is completed anyone who was exposed and was going to get sick will likely already be sick and if they aren’t sick, they don’t need to take further action beyond self-monitoring.

People are asked to self-report to Fraser Health if they receive a positive rapid test. An online reporting tool is now available https://reportcovidresults.bccdc.ca/. Completing the form allows Fraser Health to able to keep some level some measure of what’s going in the community regionally and by identified employment sectors. There is a line for students/staff to identify which school they attend.

Of course, as a school, we cannot ask you to tell us about if you have tested positive but we would appreciate it so we can keep an eye on our absenteeisms due to COVID. High case counts within a classroom or the school may result in additional communication and further action.Who are deemed as “close contacts”?

“Contacts” definition has shifted towards mainly those who are household members or intimate contacts. They are someone you have spent longer than 15 minutes with, where you and others were less than six feet (two meters) apart while not wearing a mask.

This includes people that you may have worked, carpooled or socialized with (examples: sports teams, fitness classes, parties, weddings or religious gatherings).

In a school setting the majority of people should be wearing a mask and maximum spacing should be practiced – therefore, very few students/staff will meet the new close contact criteria.

What kind of mask should we use?
There was an update on the mask mandate as of January 3, 2022. All staff and students (K-12) are required to wear a proper 3 layer mask indoors. The mask should cover both the nose and mouth. Fit is very important.

The following exemptions can be made:

There are exemptions for:

• People with health conditions or with physical, cognitive or mental impairments who cannot wear one
• People who cannot remove a mask on their own
• Children under the age of 5
• People who need to remove their masks to communicate due to another person’s hearing impairment

A face shield is not a substitute for a mask as it has an opening below the mouth or above.

If you child fits within these new exemptions, please email the office to inform us.

Here is a link on proper mask wearing (updated January 2022):

http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks/masks

What do we need to do if we are returning from travel outside of Canada?

Canadians were advised to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada, regardless of vaccination status: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/226.

For those returning to Canada:

• Parents and guardians are reminded that, as of January 7th, 2022:
• Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and youth up to and including 17 years of age are subject to the 14 day quarantine requirement.
• During quarantine, these children are not to attend school in-person.