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HCOS Face-to-Face Protocols

HCOS protocols for face to face programming are formulated in alignment with HCOS Mission Vision and Values and in conjunction with guidance received from the Ministry of Education K-12 Educational Recovery Plan. Below are the general protocols that will be in place as we transition back to face to face learning this fall and promote a safe and caring learning environments for all.

This page will be updated as needed and is current with information received October 1, 2021

Note: Nuances may vary per event, learning activity and region; the Coordinator will communicate information and protocols as applicable in that setting.

  Key points and on-site protocols to note: 

  • 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.
  • A daily health check is required
  • Cleaning will more closely resemble pre-pandemic practices with a continued commitment to providing a clean and safe learning environment.
  • Frequently touched surfaces and shared equipment are advised to be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day and when visibly dirty.
  • Effective October 4th, all school staff, volunteers, visitors and students in gr. K-12 are required to wear masks indoors, unless exempt (see more information below).
  • Cohorts and strict physical distances of 2 m are no longer recommended but have been replaced by practices that respect personal space.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 5 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.
  • On the day of, all adults and children on-site are responsible to complete a self Daily Health Check with your children and stay home if sick (common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies are exempt). 
  • If adult or student attendees develop symptoms while on-site, the individual will be separated from the group and head home or be picked up.
  • On-site personnel, visitors and students  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 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 available on-site. 
  • Each child should be provided snacks/lunch and a full water bottle, and basic school supplies, as appropriate to the Learning Group 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 Community Connections (CC):
  • 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. 

Sources

The K-12 Educational Recovery Plan

Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings 

Safe Schools Website

Information from BCCDC for vaccination for children ages 5-11 yrs 



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