HCOS Face-to-Face Communicable Disease Prevention 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. 
• Prevention measures such as regular hand washing, staying home when sick, and choosing to wear a mask or face covering and respecting the personal space of others  continue to be seen by Public Health as effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. 
• Ensuring that Teachers, contractors and students are health aware by checking regularly for symptoms of illness (including symptoms of COVID-19) using a daily health check, and staying home when sick and unable to participate fully in routine activities.  
• A continued regime to providing a clean and safe learning environment continues
  • Frequently touched surfaces and shared equipment are cleaned and disinfected at least once a day and when visibly dirty.
• 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 Programs and Events

• Parents are encouraged to review protocols with their child(ren), as appropriate, to help prepare for their attendance of face to face activities.
• Adults and children on-site are responsible for being health aware. To support this,  complete a Daily Health Check prior to attending an LG program, and stay home if sick (common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies are exempt, but please inform your coordinator for their awareness).
• If adult or student attendees develop symptoms of illness 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.
  
• 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.

Sources

• Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings
• Safe Schools Website
• Information from BCCDC for vaccination for children ages 5-11 yrs