A: The FIVE STAGE FRAMEWORK FOR K-12 EDUCATION outlines expectations for B.C. elementary, middle and secondary schools for learning during COVID-19.

The goal of the Framework is to maximize in-class instruction for all students while meeting the revised BC CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL (BCCDC) SCHOOL SAFETY GUIDELINES.

The framework allows in-class instruction to be increased or decreased depending on the risk of transmission.

• August 17, 2020. The Ministry of Education will release updated K-12 Operating Guidelines for COVID-19 and final K-12 Education Restart Steering Committee materials.
• August 17 to 21, 2020. School districts and independent school associations finalize their Restart Plans and submit to the Ministry of Education for review.
• August 21 to 26, 2020. The Ministry of Education reviews Restart Plans and confirms school district and independent school association approaches.

School districts and schools begin to communicate information to parents/guardians on health and safety guidelines, learning groups, scheduling and enrolment options under their Stage 2 plans.

• August 26, 2020. The Ministry of Education will release updated K-12 Operating Guidelines for COVID-19 and final K-12 Education Restart Steering Committee materials.
• September 8, 2020. STAGE 2 of the FIVE STAGE FRAMEWORK FOR K-12 EDUCATION starts with orientation week. Students will return to school by September 10.

A: The Restart Plan will outline:

• How in-class instruction will be offered in elementary and secondary schools using learning groups.
• Collaboration and consultation with community partners and local unions that occurred in the development of the district/school approach to learning groups.
• Revisions to district and school health and safety plans to meet the requirements of the updated COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Settings (BCCDC).
• Consultation and engagement with First Nations governments and parents/guardians about the educational choices and transportation available for First Nations students attending public schools.

A: The plan for September has been developed based on the advice and recommendations from the Provincial Health Officer to ensure health and safety measures are in place to protect students and school staff.

There are a number of reasons for a return to in-class instruction:

• It is safe to do so. Information from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) tells us the COVID-19 virus has a very low infection rate in children. As well, children are not the primary drivers of the COVID-19 spread in childcare facilities, schools or in community settings.
• Schools are important community hubs. Social interaction is critical to our individual and collective well-being and mental health.
• Schools are critical to student learning.
• School closures have significant negative mental health and socioeconomic impacts on vulnerable children and youth.
• As of September 8, some students will have been out of school for 178 days.

A: Yes. Based on current public health advice and the health and safety plans put into place by all school districts and independent school associations in B.C., K-12 schools are safe to re-open in Stage 2 in September.

Schools and school districts will also have the necessary plans in place to shift quickly between stages if and when required.

As has been the case since the beginning of the pandemic, the Ministry of Education will continue to make fact-based decisions, while following the direction of the Provincial Health Officer to ensure the safety of students and staff remains paramount.

A: During Stage 2 of the FIVE STAGE FRAMEWORK FOR K-12 EDUCATION, the majority of students will receive in-class instruction for the maximum instructional time possible within learning group limits.

Kindergarten - Grade 9 will be delivered full-time, and Grades 10 - 12 will be delivered through a combination of in-person and online learning.

The NVSD continues to refine the plan and will share plan details publicly by August 26.

A: Yes. Based on current public health advice and the health and safety plans to be put into place by all school districts and independent school associations in B.C., K-12 schools are safe to re-open in Stage 2 in September. This means that most students will have access to in-class instruction and schools will be ready to welcome them back.

A: When school resumes in September, all students with disabilities or those who need extra support in school will continue to have full-time access to in-class instruction and the supports and services they are eligible to receive.

School districts and independent school authorities will be expected to identify students with additional support needs through a needs assessment to allow for proactive planning to ensure supports and services are in place at the start of the school year.

A: According to the Provincial Health Officer and the BCCDC, most children with compromised immune systems can return to school when safety measures are in place . Protective self-isolation is only recommended for children with severely compromised immune systems, on a case-by-case basis.

According to the BCCDC, children with severely compromised immune systems include children who have had a recent organ transplant, who are on intensive chemotherapy, who are receiving high doses of steroids, or with severe immune deficiency diseases.

Parents/guardians of children with complex medical conditions or underlying risk factors, or parents/guardians who are immunocompromised themselves, should consult with their medical healthcare provider to determine the level of risk regarding their child’s return to in-class instruction.

For families with students who are recommended not to attend school by a medical professional (doctor’s note has been provided), I ask that you please contact your school principal directly to discuss the Hospital Home Bound Instruction Program.

For more information, see BCCDC’s GUIDANCE FOR FAMILIES OF IMMUNOCOMPROMISED CHILDREN IN SCHOOL AND GROUP GATHERINGS, and their FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING COVID-19 AND CHILDREN WITH IMMUNE SUPRESSION.

A: School districts have been asked to engage with First Nations and Indigenous peoples on the September restart and incorporate how they will support Indigenous community/parent and guardian choices in their Stage 2 plans. NVSD staff are continuing our discussions with the Skwxwú7mesh Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

The Province fully respects the jurisdiction of First Nations and their right to make their own determination about the re-opening of First Nations schools.

The Province also acknowledges the historical impacts of pandemics on First Nations and Indigenous communities and the concerns raised by some First Nations about sending their children back to school in September.

A: During the week of August 24, schools sent out a communication to their incoming Kindergarten families expressing how excited teachers and staff are to welcome families and their children to the NVSD school community.

Schools also shared:

• Kindergarten students will begin their school year on either Friday, September 11th or Monday, September 14. The date depends on the group students have been placed in.
• Gradual entry will occur within the students' class placement with their assigned teacher(s).
• Regrettably, and unlike other years, for the 2020/21 school year, families will not be invited into the classroom on the first day of school. This is to maintain the integrity of the learning group.
• Instead, schools will either ask families to send their child to school with a washable comfort item OR host the first day of school as an outdoor learning experience so families can join in, while physically distanced from other families.

A: In March 2020, the GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCED EXEMPTIONS to the air travel restrictions that will apply to foreign nationals who have already committed to working, studying or making Canada their home.

According to Government of Canada regulations, in addition to health screening protocols before travel, all individuals entering from abroad must isolate for 14 days upon their arrival in Canada.

More information about measures to support international students during the COVID-19 pandemic is available on the Government of Canada’s WEBSITE and the EDUCANADA WEBSITE.

The NVSD is working with our international student agencies and our homestay provider to ensure the safety of our international students and homestay families upon students’ arrival to Canada.

A: For Secondary, we offer distributed learning options through the North Vancouver Distributed Learning School.

For Elementary, we offer the Elementary Transition Support option (please see the Elementary Transition Support option section) There may be distributed learning options for elementary students offered outside of the NVSD.

A: Yes. With a focus on the health and safety of our students, their families and our staff, the Elementary Band and Strings program offering for the 2020/21 school year has been adjusted.

At this time, our district will not be offering band and strings programming to students who had requested taking lessons at a neighbouring school. Our Hub School model is also not available this year.

Please check the 2020/2021 Elementary Band and Strings SCHEDULE, to see if a program is offered at your child’s school.

If you have questions or require more information about the Elementary Band and Strings program, please contact bandandstring@sd44.ca.

A: Childcare centres have been operating safely during the pandemic and were not mandated to close.

Parents and guardians should reach out to their regular childcare provider for information about options available for September.

If parents/guardians need help finding childcare, they should use the childcare matching service or contact their local CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL CENTRE OFFICE and find out more about the matching program and their options.

For more information on childcare, click HERE.

A: Regardless of which stage we find ourselves in, parents/guardians will continue to have choices regarding their child’s educational program. Families who do not want to their child to attend in-person classes at a public or independent school have the option to register their child for ONLINE DISTRIBUTED LEARNING* or HOMESCHOOLING prior to the start of the school year.

While parents/guardians can choose a different option during the school year, this choice may be limited based on program availability and must be made in accordance with applicable school district or independent school authority policies and procedures.

For elementary students, we are offering the Elementary Transition Support option (please see the Elementary Transition Support section for more information)

*The NORTH VANCOUVER DISTRIBUTED/ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAM offers core academic courses in Grades 8 - 9 and academic and elective courses in Grades 10-12.

A: From the BCCDC FAQ

Each family is different. Some families may live with older people or Elders. Other families may visit or depend on them to help with childcare. Families need to think about their own unique situation to decide if and how to be with older people, like grandparents and Elders, in the safest way possible.

If you live with or spend a lot of time with older people or Elders, there are things you can do to lower the chances of getting and spreading the virus. This may include decreasing the number of contacts your family has outside of your household. For example, you can limit contacts to only family members outside of school, work and other commitments. You can also visit outside when the weather is good and keep a 2 metre distance when visiting.

Adults and children are more likely to catch COVID-19 in the community than in schools, based on the rigorous health and safety measures that will be in place.

A: From the BCCDC FAQ

Staff and families of students will be contacted if public health believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 at school, and provided with recommended follow-up steps (noted below).

Only public health can determine if a staff or student may have been exposed.

Public health will:

• notify anyone who may have been exposed.
• provide any follow-up steps like self-isolating or monitoring for symptoms.
• work with school administration to decide if communications to the school community are needed.

A: Public Health will determine who may have been in close contact and at risk of being exposed.

From the BCCDC FAQ

If a staff or student in a school is confirmed by public health to have COVID-19, public health will work with the person who is sick or their family, school administration, and any relevant health care providers to determine and support the next steps.

• The first step is telling the person who is sick to self-isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days from when symptoms started.
• Public health will start contact tracing. This means calling people who have been close to the person who is sick for a long enough time (at least 15 minutes).
• Public health will determine which family members, teachers, support staff or students have been in close enough contact for a long enough time with the person that they may have been exposed.
• Public health will look at a number of different things such as where the contact happened and how long other staff and students were exposed. This will help to assess the likelihood of others getting sick.
• If contacts are more likely to get sick with COVID-19, they are considered “close contacts”.
• Close contacts will be asked by public health officials to self-isolate and monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days.
• It is expected that most members of a learning group will not be deemed close contacts, and will only need to monitor for symptoms, not self-isolate.

Family members, teachers, support staff and students who may have been exposed but are determined not to be a “close contact” do not have to self-isolate as they are no more likely to develop COVID-19 than anyone else.

A: If a student or staff shows any symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, they will be supervised and cared for in a separate room and returned home as soon as possible. The individual will need to be assessed by a healthcare provider. If COVID-19 is confirmed, public health will notify the school and district.

They will then identify any potential COVID-19 exposures and reach out to anyone who may have been exposed. Parents/guardians will be notified if their child has been in contact with a COVID-19 positive person. If that happens, your child is required to isolate for 14 days. Public health officials will work closely with the school to determine if further actions should be taken. The school will support student learning while they are in self-isolation.

A: From the BCCDC Public Health Guidance for K-12 School Settings

Students and staff should stay at home when new symptoms of illness develop. The key symptoms to watch for are fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, loss of sense of smell or taste, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

• If the staff or student (or their parent) indicates that the symptoms are consistent with a previously diagnosed health condition and are not unusual for that individual, they may return to school. No assessment or note is required from a health care provider.
• For mild symptoms without fever, students and staff can monitor at home for 24 hours. If symptoms improve, they can return to school without further assessment.
• If symptoms include fever, or if after 24 hours, symptoms remain unchanged or worsen, seek a health assessment. A health assessment can include calling 8-1-1, a primary care provider like a physician or nurse practitioner, or going to a COVID-19 testing centre.

A: From the BCCDC FAQ

Students and staff with seasonal allergies or other COVID-19-like symptoms related to pre-existing conditions don’t need to stay home if their symptoms are normal.

If they experience any new or unexplained symptoms, they should stay home and contact a health care provider.

Anyone unsure about the symptoms they are experiencing should stay at home and contact their health care provider, use the self-assessment tool at bc.thrive.health or call 8-1-1 to assess symptoms and determine if testing is required.

A: From the BCCDC FAQ

Students and staff without symptoms can still go to school even if someone else in their household is sick. They cannot go to school if public health has told them not to. This is the same as for other settings like workplaces and public spaces.

Most people who are sick or have symptoms of illness in B.C. are not sick with COVID-19. So, it is very unlikely the person in their household has COVID-19.

If someone has been diagnosed with COVID-19, public health will identify close contacts and ask them to stay home and self-isolate.

The person who is sick or has symptoms should be assessed by 8-1-1 or a health care provider. Testing is recommended for anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones.

A: From the BCCDC COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE FOR K-12 SCHOOL SETTINGS

If the COVID-19 test is negative, the child can return to school once symptoms have improved and they feel well enough.

Symptoms of common respiratory illness can persist for a week or more.

Re-testing is not needed unless the person develops a new illness.

A: From the BCCDC FAQ

Self-isolation means staying home and avoiding situations where you could come in contact with others. You may have been exposed to the virus and are at risk for developing COVID-19 and passing it on to others. You should not self-isolate in a place where you will be in contact with vulnerable people, such as seniors and individuals with underlying health conditions.

Self-monitoring for COVID-19 means you pay attention to your health, and record daily your temperature and any of the symptoms on page 2. Self-monitor for 14 days from when you returned to Canada or were last exposed to a COVID-19 case. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the flu and common cold and can also include gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

A: This is something that we would review on a case-by-case basis. As would be the case in any prolonged illness or absence from school, we would work with the student and their family to provide for the continuity of learning.

A: A letter or note is NOT required once a student who tested positive for COVID-19 completes the 14-day isolation.

A: From the BCCDC FAQ

Staff and families of students will be contacted if public health believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 at school, and provided with recommended follow-up steps (noted below).

Staff and students not exposed may or may not be notified if there is a positive COVID-19 case in a school. This is at the discretion of the school medical health officer.

Only public health can determine if a staff or student may have been exposed.

Public health will:

• notify anyone who may have been exposed.
• provide any follow-up steps like self-isolating or monitoring for symptoms.
• work with school administration to decide if communications to the school community are needed.

A: All school districts’ restart plans are designed to allow for the seamless transition between the 5 stages of the provincial framework for K to 12 education. This will allow students to attend the maximum time possible within cohort limits and density targets.

At the North Vancouver School District, Microsoft Teams will be used for every class to facilitate communication through all stages.

To support staff in the potential transition between stages, instructional planning for remote and hybrid learning will happen throughout the year, starting with Orientation Week for staff.

A: A learning group is a group of students and staff who remain together throughout a specific school term (e.g., a school quarter, semester or year) and who primarily interact with each other.

A learning group could be made up of:

• A single class of students with their teacher
• Multiple classes that sometimes join together for additional learning activities
• A group of secondary school students with the same courses

Under Stage 2 of B.C.'s FIVE STAGE FRAMEWORK FOR K-12 EDUCATION the maximum size of learning groups is 60 people in elementary schools and 120 people in secondary schools.

A: Under Stage 2 of B.C.'s FIVE STAGE FRAMEWORK FOR K-12 EDUCATION, classrooms will remain students’ primary learning environment.

Learning groups will allow for additional interactions between students and classes to support learning, while limiting the number of interactions between people in schools and subsequently, reducing potential exposures to COVID-19.

Learning groups will provide a range of benefits for students:

• Learning – Allow in-person as well as on-line/remote
• Social – Increase peer interaction, avoid isolation
• Emotional – Increase peer support and connection
• Psychological – Decrease mental health impacts

A: The majority of elementary schools will return to full-time, in-class instruction with minimal modifications to school structures and timetable.

Classrooms will remain students’ primary environment.

Elementary schools will create learning groups of up to 60 students and staff.

Details about learning groups specific to the North Vancouver School District will be made available by August 26.

Note: student-specific information will be shared with families closer to the start of school.

A: Secondary schools will require adjustments to timetables and school schedules in order to maximize in-class instruction.

Secondary school students will continue to be organized in classrooms; however, school timetables will be organized to limit students to learning groups of no more than 120 students and staff.

As an example only, students in a secondary school learning group might take some of their courses together, and then take separate electives, where they would need to practise physical distancing from the students outside of their learning group.

Details about learning groups specific to the North Vancouver School District will be made available by August 26.

Note: student-specific information will be shared with families closer to the start of school.

A: Learning groups reduce the number of in-person, close interactions a person has in school.

Members of the same learning group will have to minimize physical contact, but they will not be required to practise strict physical distancing.

Outside of a learning group, physical distancing of 2 metres remains the expectation for secondary school students and for all K-12 staff.

A: Staff interacting with multiple learning groups must wear a non-medical face mask.

For indoor activities, elementary students who are interacting outside of their learning groups, will maintain 2m physical distance.

Secondary students interacting outside of their learning groups will maintain 2m physical distance.

A: Learning groups are a recommended public health measure to help reduce the risk of transmission.

Students in a learning group will interact together throughout a school term. A learning group limits the number of interactions.

Students attending childcare are also interacting with a limited number of other children. Prevention measures and mitigation strategies involving children are similar in a childcare setting to a school setting, such as encouraging physical distancing, minimizing physical contact, proper hand hygiene, encouraging learning outdoors, cleaning and disinfecting, and not attending the site when sick.

A: From the BCCDC FAQ

Learning group sizes were determined by medical health officers across the province. When deciding on the learning group size they thought about:

• The age/maturity of children in different school types
• The type of instruction across the different school types
• The importance of a close-to-normal learning experience in supporting the health and development of children and youth
• Class size
• Contact tracing and testing capacity of public health – the sizes of the groups allow public health agencies to easily track cases through the community.

A: From the PROVINCIAL COVID-19 HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR K-12 SETTINGS

During break times (e.g. recess and lunch), students may want to socialize with peers in different learning groups/cohorts. There are different considerations for elementary and middle/secondary students when socializing outside of their learning group. Schools should make sure these considerations are clearly communicated and explained to students.

In elementary schools, students can socialize with peers in different cohorts if they are outdoors and can minimize physical contact or if they are indoors and can practice physical distancing. When interacting with peers outside of their learning group, students should:

• minimize physical contact when outdoors;
• maintain physical distance (2m) when indoors. If a student is unable to physically distance, the student should socialize within their learning group or where they can be supported to physically distance.

Elementary-aged students are less able to consistently maintain physical distance. Outdoors is a lower risk environment than indoors.

A: Click HERE for more learning group information from the Ministry of Education.

A: All boards of education and independent school authorities will continue to be required to implement strict public health measures set by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) to reduce the risk COVID-19 transmission.

These health and safety guidelines were in place in June for the part-time return to in-class instruction and have been recently updated to take this next step in accommodating more students back into the classroom in the fall.

• Students will be asked to wash their hands frequently, including before coming to school. They will have access to hand sanitizer when hand washing is not available.
• Physical distancing (2 metres) for staff and secondary school students when interacting outside of their learning groups.
• Schools will continue to be cleaned more frequently, including classrooms and high touch areas:
  • General cleaning and disinfecting of school premises at least once in a 24-hour period
  • Cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces at least twice in 24 hours, including once during regular school hours
• School and classrooms might look different, with:
  • Students organized into learning groups
  • Increased spacing between students in classrooms and more individual and smaller group activities
  • Designated entrances, floor markings and/or signage to address traffic flow
  • Limitations on assemblies and other large gatherings
• Visitor access during school hours will be prioritized to those entering to support activities that benefit student learning and well-being.

See COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE FOR K-12 SCHOOL SETTINGS for more information on K-12 health and safety measures.

A: PPE is not required for most staff beyond that used as part of regular precautions for the hazards normally encountered in their regular course of work (e.g. gloves for some custodial services)

However, non-medical masks or face coverings are required to be worn by staff and middle and secondary students in high traffic areas, in common areas (e.g. hallways) or in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained and the person is interacting with people outside of their learning group (e.g. Teachers Teaching on Call , specialist teachers or Education Assistants required to work in close proximity to students across learning groups).

Exceptions will be made for students who cannot wear masks for medical reasons.

Schools will also ensure non-medical masks are available for staff if someone should become ill while at school.

Beyond the above, wearing a non-medical mask or face covering in schools is a personal choice that will be respected. Re-useable face masks will be made available for staff and students who choose to wear one, and upon request.

A: On the advice of the Provincial Health Officer, non-medical masks are not recommended for elementary students because of the increased likelihood they will touch their face and eyes, and because they may require assistance to properly put on and take off their mask (which means increased close personal contact from school staff). However, younger students will need to wear a mask if they become sick at school.

Some younger students may choose to wear a mask for personal reasons, and they will be provided one if they make that choice, and upon request.

A: Learning groups and physical distancing are part of a comprehensive suite of measures being implemented in schools to keep students and staff safe.

The BCCDC’s PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE FOR K-12 SCHOOLS recommends a number of strategies to support physical distancing for students and staff in schools:

• Consideration for different classroom and learning environment configurations to allow distance between students and adults (e.g. different desk and table formations)
• Staggered pick-up and drop-off times
• Staggered recess/snack, lunch and class transition times
• More outside time for students
• Incorporate more individual activities or activities that encourage more space between students and staff.
  • For elementary students, adapt group activities to minimize physical contact and reduce shared items
  • For secondary students, minimize group activities and avoid activities that require physical contact

A: Vancouver Coastal Health has recommended drinking fountains not be used at this time. However, water bottle filling stations will be available for use by students and staff.

Units that include both a water fountain and filling station will have the fountain portion sealed off or identified as not for use. The filling station, considered a high touch surface, will be subject to a higher cleaning frequency, similar to other high touch surface areas.

A: Yes. All North Shore playgrounds reopened on June 1, 2020.

With Occupational Health and Safety support, each school will develop protocols to support student safety in playgrounds and common areas.

We do ask that playground users adhere to physical distancing guidelines and follow proper hand washing protocol afterward.

Please click HERE for more information.

A: There are a number of measures we can all take to ensure we continue to protect those around us.

Families will be asked to monitor children daily for symptoms and not to send them to school if they are sick. Anyone who is sick will not be allowed in school.

Any student who has symptoms of COVID-19 OR has travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days OR was identified as a close contact of a confirmed case or outbreak must stay home and self-isolate, including children of essential service workers.

Families will be asked to remind child(ren) to:

• Minimize physical contact with their friends
• Label their personal items and not to share them
• Practise good hand hygiene (thorough hand washing often); respiratory hygiene (cover your coughs); and personal hygiene (no sharing of food, drinks or personal items)

A: Compared to some other community settings, schools also have a comprehensive set of safety measures in place, including enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, frequent hand washing and/or sanitizing, and policies that require students and staff to STAY HOME IF THEY ARE ILL.

Schools also have a relatively consistent set of people accessing the building, and the majority of those people are children, who are at a lower risk of COVID-19 infection.

By introducing learning groups, schools are further reducing the number of interactions between students and staff.

Other public settings do not have these features and measures in place. As a result, they have stricter physical distancing and mask requirement.

A: The BCCDC guidelines for schools are firm, in that if any student or staff member has even mild symptoms, the person(s) are not to attend school.

If a student or staff member develops symptoms at school, protocols are in place for the person to be isolated and returned home as soon as possible. Public health would be notified immediately of a potential case. Custodial staff would clean and disinfect the area where the person had been isolated and any areas used by them.

If anyone at school contracts COVID-19, public health would work with school administration on contact tracing*. As per normal protocols, public health officials will work with the school district and school administration to determine what actions should be taken and if suspending in-class learning is necessary. If any staff or student has been in contact with a COVID-positive person, they will be notified by public health officials and must self-isolate. The NVSD will not release any information regarding individuals who may have COVID-19 exposure unless directed to do so by Vancouver Coastal Health.

*The use of learning groups supports rapid contact tracing by allowing public health to focus on a smaller group of people.

A: The Ministry of Education has developed a five-stage approach supported by strict public health guidelines from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) that allow in-class instruction to be increased or decreased depending on the risk of transmission.

In the case of a local outbreak, public health officials will work with school administration to determine what actions should be taken and if suspending in-class learning is necessary. If any staff or student has been in contact with a COVID-positive person, they will be notified by public health officials and must self-isolate.

If there is a large-scale outbreak or second wave, the Ministry will continue to work with the Provincial Health Officer, school districts and independent school associations to review and revise health and safety measures in schools based on updated public health guidance.

A: The following measures have been implemented at schools: increased cleaning, electrostatic discharge sprayers for disinfecting, plexiglass barriers in some areas, floor marking decals and tape, and signage for physical distancing, common area/corridor sinks, wall mounted hand sanitizer dispensers in portables, supply of hand sanitizer in each classroom, extended HVAC schedule, increased outdoor air intake to mechanical ventilation systems, use of outdoor space, opening windows when possible.

Washroom capacity is site-specific and will be monitored when possible. Students are encouraged to maintain physical distance.

A: If you didn't complete the survey, the expectation is that your child will be returning to full-time in-person, in-class instruction in September. However, schools will be reaching out to parents to ask them to confirm their participation in the Elementary Transition Support option.

A: Schools will be contacting all elementary families, and will ask parents to confirm their participation in the Elementary Transition Support option.

A: In a communication from your school, parents will be asked to confirm their child’s participation in the Elementary Transition Support option.

A: All students will placed into a classroom cohort/learning group, including those who selected Option 4 on the survey. This will allow for a smoother transition back to the classroom, should they participate in the Elementary Transition Support option.

A: A district-based teacher, not the classroom teacher, will be providing some educational support to students participating in the Elementary Transition Support option.

A: There will be online support through the district-based teacher combined with in-school participation.

A: Students in French Immersion who participate in the Elementary Transition Support option will still have their spot in their class. However, the instructional support provided through the Elementary Transition Support option will be English only – no French Immersion instruction will be provided. Parents/guardians will be responsible for providing French Immersion Language development at home.

A: The Elementary Transition Support option will end at Winter Break (December 18, 2020). Parents may choose to have their child return to in-person instruction at any time, but must work with the school to discuss a re-entry plan.

A: Secondary School students already have online options available through the North Vancouver Distributed Learning School.

A: Students will be part of an online cohort while participating in the Elementary Transition Support Option. They will be transitioned back to their classroom cohort before December 18th but should contact the school to discuss the re-entry.

A: A daily health check is a tool to reduce the likelihood of a person with COVID-19 coming to school when they are infectious.

Parents/guardians have a responsibility to assess their child(ren) daily for symptoms of COVID-19 before sending them to school. Parents can use the DAILY HEALTH CHECK (checklist adapted from the BCCDC's COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE FOR K-12 SCHOOL SETTINGS) to do this assessment.

Staff and other adults entering the school must assess themselves daily before entering the school.

A: No, you do not.

Parents/guardians must complete an Acknowledgement that they understand how to complete the DAILY HEALTH CHECK and that it must be completed daily. This Acknowledgement is completed through School Cash Online (KEV online forms), along with the other online forms required at school start-up.

A: The BCCDC's COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE FOR K-12 SCHOOL SETTINGS outlines the requirement for parents/guardians to assess their child(ren) daily for symptoms and for students to stay home if sick. Keeping schools safe is a shared responsibility. Schools will follow-up with families who do not complete the online Acknowledgement.

A: Symptoms of COVID-19 can be mild and are similar to other respiratory infections. Most people in BC with these symptoms do not have COVID-19.

Students and staff should stay at home when new symptoms of illness develop. The key symptoms to watch for are fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, loss of sense of smell or taste, nasea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Click here to view/print the updated DAILY HEALTH CHECK.

A: Students who experience seasonal allergies, or other COVID-19-like symptoms that are related to an existing condition, can continue to attend school when they are experiencing these symptoms as normal.

If a parent/guardian notices a sudden change in the severity or type of symptoms their child normally experiences, they are to keep their child at home and seek an assessment from a healthcare provider.

A: From the Ministry of Health:

This was a recommendation from public health to remove some of the symptoms, given the very low probability of these symptoms by themselves indicating COVID-19. As well, they are also very common in children so there are concerns that it would unnecessarily exclude children.

Those symptoms that were removed, in combination with any others that are still on the list, are still important indicators to get tested - but on their own in children are not suggestive of COVID-19. This was done from a review of global data on symptoms.

A: Students who have symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested, and most or all facilities can test children 3 and over. Currently there is no mobile testing for schools.

For more information on testing and where to go for testing, visit the BCCDC TESTING PAGE.

A: The purpose of the Hospital Homebound support is to provide instruction to students who are temporarily unable to attend school for medical or health reasons.

Students will be enrolled in a classroom at their home school and in addition to support from a Hospital Homebound Teacher, they will be included remotely as much as possible within their classroom.

A: One of the required components of the NVSD Restart Plan involves how we (at the district, school and class level) will communicate with families and staff. Now that our Stage 2 Restart Plan is published, an overview of our communication plan has been made available HERE.

In the interim, if you have a question that has not been answered here, please reach out to your school principal. Administrators will ensure commonly asked questions are shared (while protecting your personal privacy) so that we can update our FAQ and provide an answer that benefits all visitors to this page.