Masks will be optional for staff, students and visitors when classes resume at New Westminster schools after spring break.
Superintendant Karim Hachlaf has provided an update to families about new protocols arising from changes to public health orders that were announced just before spring break.
“Mask and PPE use is now a personal choice for all staff, students and visitors,” Hachalf said in a March 24 email to parents. “We respect each person or family’s individual choice to determine what’s right for their needs. We will also continue to supply disposable masks at each school for those who would like to continue to be provided that option, should they forget or need one.”
According to Hachlaf’s email to parents, some teachers may start to shift “learning configurations” around a bit more freely, to support different teaching options and lessons. They’ll still be asked to consider strategies that support keeping some space between people, where appropriate.
For folks visiting schools, sign-in and sign-out practices will return to a more simplified process.
Earlier this month, the province announced an easing of some restrictions related to COVID-19. As of March 11, public health orders made the wearing of face coverings optional in indoor settings.
At the same time, the province announced people attending events, services and events in B.C. would no longer have to show their BC Vaccine Card as of April 8.
“As we look to upcoming changes … we will be able to return to 100% capacity options for school events or activities that include parents or spectators,” Hachlaf said. “That means, after two years of heavily modified alternatives, we’re in the exciting position to start to plan for more typical graduation celebrations, as we look to honour and celebrate our hard-working students.”
New West schools will reopen Monday, March 28, following March 14 to 25 spring break. Some practices and protocols will continue in local schools:
*Parents or caregivers must do a daily health check for each student before they attend school that day.
*Students who are experiencing new or worsening possible symptoms of COVID-19 should follow guidelines from the BC Centre for Disease Control on when to test or how to use the rapid antigen tests that have been provided by the provincial government.
*People should continue to respect personal space and consider cases where physical distancing may still be appropriate.
*People should avoid sharing food or drinks and should continue hand washing, sanitizing items like mouth pieces on musical instruments, etc.
*People should stay home from school when they’re sick.
“The return to school on Monday will be the start of another adjustment period for all of us,” Hachlaf said in his email. “It’s important to be mindful that everyone will have a different level of comfort with these changes, as we work to support the transition back to more typical learning environments.”
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