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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 environment for all. This page is updated as needed and is current with ministry information. Note: Nuances may vary per event, learning activity and region; the Coordinator will communicate information and protocols as applicable in that setting.

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: 

  • Enabling children to maintain face to face learning, recreational and social activities is important to their overall health and well being.
  • A daily health check is required for all face to face group learning activities
  • A continued regime to providing a clean and safe learning environment continues
    • Frequently touched surfaces and shared equipment are advised to be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day and when visibly dirty.
  • All school staff, volunteers, visitors and students in gr. K-12 are required to wear masks indoors, unless exempt (see more information below). Masks should fit properly so that they are as effective as they can be.
    • Visitors to the school are limited to those that are supporting activities that benefit student learning and wellbeing and required to complete the daily health check.
  • Maximized use of available space to spread out as much as possible. 
  • 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 Daily Health Check 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. Individuals with an exemption are encouraged to wear a face shield or other face covering if able to do so and otherwise maintain distance to reduce exposure. 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. Contact tracing and close contact notification by public health is no longer effective to minimize spread of COVID-19, Public Health has transitioned to individual self-management. 
  • If a student or adult participant is sick, let the coordinator know of the illness and stay home until symptoms disappear.  If there’s a positive COVID test, follow the directions provided by public health.  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.



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