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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.

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.
    • 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.
  • Respect for the personal choice of others to wear or not wear a mask
  • Respect for the personal space of others
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.
  • 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.
  • While exercising caution and care for your community, any student without symptoms may still attend school if a household member develops new symptoms of illness, including testing positive for COVID-19. 
  • 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, provide maximum ventilation, spacing as well as hand-washing. The host site's communicable disease plan will be reviewed prior to booking to help ensure student safety.
  • Adults and children (aged 5 and older) returning from international travel must wear a well-constructed and well-fitting mask in indoor and outdoor public spaces, including K–12 schools, for the first 14 days after re-entry.
  • For Community Connections (CC):
    • 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.



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