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HCOS Face-to-Face Protocols

HCOS protocols for face to face programming are formulated in line with HCOS Mission Vision and Values and in conjunction with guidance received from the Ministry of Education. 

On August 24 2021, the Ministry of Education released the K-12 Educational Recovery Plan with reference to  Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings along with an updated informational website. These guidelines represent a move closer toward pre-pandemic operations.

  A few key points include:
  • Overall, schools are lower- risk sites for COVID- 19 transmission when prevention measures were in place. 
  • Enabling children to return to closer- to- normal learning, recreational and social activities is an important pandemic recovery action.
  • Daily health check requirement
  • Cleaning will more closely resemble pre-pandemic practices with a continued commitment to providing a clean and safe learning environment for students.
  • Frequently touched surfaces are advised to be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day and when visibly dirty.
  • PPE Mask Policy: To start this school year, all school staff, visitors and students in gr. 4-12 are required to wear masks indoors, unless exempt (see more information below).
  • K – 3 students are encouraged, but not required to wear masks indoors.
  • Cohorts and strict physical distances of 2 m are no longer recommended but have been replaced by practices that respect personal space. 
  • Vaccines are not mandated for staff and students over the age of 12 who could be vaccinated. The government will focus on encouraging greater vaccination levels across the province.
  • Extra-curricular school activities will be governed by the wider provincial or local health authority orders.
Parent Initiated Activities
  • If a parent engages a third party to provide a learning activity for their child it is the parents' responsibility to ensure reasonable health and safety measures are in place for those programs or services. 
Learning Group School Run events
  • Parents are encouraged to review protocols with their child(ren), as appropriate, to help prepare for their attendance to face to face activities.
  • Parents and/ or caregivers are responsible to assess their child(ren) (and themselves if participating) daily before attending any face to face learning opportunity using the Daily Health Check.  Please refrain from attending if symptoms present (common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies exempt). 
  • If adult or student attendees develop symptoms while at an event, the individual will be separated from the group and head home or be picked up. 
  • On-site personnel, visitors and students in grade 4-12 who can not tolerate wearing a mask for health, mental health, or behavioural reasons, or if unable to put on or remove a mask without assistance, are exempt from doing so. To communicate an exemption, Adults please fill out this FORM (available soon) for the coordinator of your event to have on file, no further documentation is required. 
  • For those who may have forgotten a mask at home, or if symptoms develop while in attendance, masks will be provided on-site. 
  • Each child should be provided snacks/lunch and a full water bottle, and basic school supplies, as appropriate to the LG opportunity. A water bottle may be refilled; mouths should not touch fountains.
  • Any student without symptoms may still attend school if a household member develops new symptoms of illness. If the household member or a classmate tests positive for COVID-19, public health will advise close contacts on isolation or attendance.  A person directed by health staff to get tested for COVID-19 is to remain home until test results are received.
  • If students are attending a field trip, only private vehicles will be used for transportation. If carpooling occurs, maximum ventilation, spacing and  the use of masks is encouraged as well as hand-washing. The host site's communicable disease plan will be reviewed prior to booking to help ensure student safety.
  • For CCs:
  • Visitors to a CC will be admitted on a limited basis as needed, and will be required to complete the daily health check prior to entering, share contact information in the visitor log, and wear a mask.
  • Parents are requested to drop off and pick-up their child(ren) outside in areas designated by the Coordinator, respecting the personal space of others. 

Nuances may vary per event; additional information and protocols will be communicated by the coordinator of individual events as applicable in that setting.

 

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