Author Archives: cgagnon

Please be informed Coast Mountains schools in the Hazeltons and Kitwanga will be closed this afternoon, April 30, due to a prolonged power outage.   BC Hydro estimates power restoration by the end of today.

Hazelton Secondary School
Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary School
New Hazelton Elementary School
Kitwanga Elementary School

Students are being dismissed from school for the afternoon.  Parents-caregivers are being contacted prior to dismissing students from school.  

Parents/guardians are being contacted to pick up their children at the school.  Bussing arrangements are in place to transport students home noting that busses are running 2 hours ahead of their regular schedules.

Following the completion of a structural assessment, the BC Ministry of Transportation has re-opened the Four-Mile Bridge (Anlaw Bridge) this morning, February 21 to all vehicles except heavy equipment at this time.

Bus Run #29 Upper Kispiox is cancelled for today.  Bus Run #26 Kispiox West will be operating on its regular schedule this afternoon.

Parents/caregivers should contact their School Principal if they require further information.

During this time, it is understandable for children to have questions or express concern about the COVID-19 virus.  As parents, teachers or caregivers, it is important to stay informed and communicate in age-appropriate ways that address children’s questions and helps them take steps to keep themselves and others healthy.

Here are some tips and resources to help:

• Don’t be afraid to talk about it: Convey the facts and set an emotionally reassuring tone.
• Be age-appropriate: Teens can process and handle a higher level of detail than five year olds. Focus on answering your child/student’s questions. Do your best to answer honestly and clearly; it’s okay if you can’t answer everything.
• Follow their lead: Invite your child or student to ask questions and share their perspective: Invite them to tell you anything they may have heard about the coronavirus and express how they feel.
• Check yourself: Feeling anxious?  Take some time to calm down before trying to have a conversation or answer your child’s questions.
• Focus on actions you can take: Emphasize safety precautions everyone can take to help keep themselves and others healthy: good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, social distancing and staying home if you aren’t feeling well.
• Stick to routine: Structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes are an essential part of keeping kids happy and healthy.
• Keep talking: Tell kids/students you will keep them updated as you learn more.  Let them know the lines of communication are going to be open and as you learn more, you will share the information with them, too.

Resources:

• BCCDC Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 for Children and Students
• BCCDC COVID 19: Recommendations for Students, Parents and Guardians