New Hazelton Elementary School

Letter to CMSD82 Parents & Guardians from Superintendent of Schools – Sept. 20, 2020

Dear CMSD82 Parents/Guardians,

I am writing to provide clarification in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in one of our school communities.  A confirmed case is defined as a person with laboratory confirmation of infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 performed at a community, hospital or reference laboratory.

At this point, while we have very reliable information to potential cases within the Witset First Nation located in Moricetown, we have not been officially notified by the Northern Health Authority.  At this stage in the school district’s protocols, we are mandated to allow the Northern Health Authority the time to complete their work.  Northern Health will notify Coast Mountains School District should this impact our school communities.

At this time, we have not been officially notified by the local health authority regarding any student or staff being confirmed to have COVID-19.  The local health authority will connect directly with any individuals who may have been exposed with further instructions.

We ask for your patience, and we will communicate out additional information as it becomes available.

The safety and well-being of our students, families and staff remains our highest priority.  Please be assured that our schools will continue to implement the strict protocols and procedures we have in place so that children can continue to attend school as safely as possible.

We understand that families will do what they believe is in the best interests of their children as it relates to sending them to school or keeping them home.  We respect your right to make this difficult decision.  Please know that:

1. Children are welcome at school.
2. Students who are absent from school will continue to receive an educational program.
3. Students will be welcomed back to their school when their parents/guardians consider it appropriate for them to return.

The Northern Health Authority has been very clear about the steps that will be taken should there be a confirmed case in school or in the community.  We will take our lead from Northern Health every time there is a confirmed case.

Your children are our priority.  Should you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your School Principal.  Please stay safe and check in with us regularly on our website at www.cmsd.bc.ca or twitter @coastmtnsd.

Yours sincerely,

Janet Meyer
Superintendent of Schools

Message for CMSD82 Parents/Guardians from our Superintendent of Schools:

Dear Parents/Guardians:

For your information and interest, Coast Mountains School District 82 developed an alternative back-to-school plan for parents/guardians of Kindergarten to Grade 9 students who are not comfortable with sending their children back to school right away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are very challenging times and we understand that some families need more time to become comfortable with the safety protocols implemented by their schools.

This new Learn-from-Home Transition Plan will have students remain enrolled in their neighbourhood school and start the school year at home before transitioning back to the classroom.  To clarify, this is not a fourth option for educating children … this is a extension or a subset of Option 1: Brick and Mortar (Traditional School).

Important notations for parents/guardians to know regarding the new transition plan:

• This a “temporary” plan intended to keep students connected to their school.  Students would work on literacy, numeracy and core competency skills.
• This will not mirror the classroom.
• Families would be responsible for supporting their child’s learning at home and there would be weekly check-ins by a Transition Program Teacher.
• It is the school district’s expectation that families would transition back to school by the end of October/beginning of November.

We have developed a K-9 Learn from Home Transition Plan “information sheet” for the information of parents/guardians:

CMSD82 K-9 Learn from Home Transition Plan – Information Sheet – Sept. 11, 2020

The following illustration provides an overview of the Learn-from-Home Transition Plan:

(click on illustration to enlarge)(Adapted with appreciation from School District 39)

Parents/Guardians are asked to contact their School Principal should they have questions or they require more information.

Sincerely,

Janet Meyer
Superintendent of Schools

Coast Mountains School District 82, Northern Health and CMSD82’s District Parent Advisory Council hosted an online Education Re-Start Town Hall Q&A Session last night, September 3.  Many thanks to everyone for submitting their questions and taking part in the Town Hall Q&A Session.

If you didn’t have an opportunity to join the online session, you can watch it by accessing the following link:

Recording – Town Hall Q&A Session Co-Hosted by CMSD82, Northern Health & DPAC

During the Town Hall Q&A Session, our Superintendent, Janet Meyer introduced an alternative back-to-school plan for parents/guardians of Kindergarten to Grade 9 students who are not comfortable sending their children back to school right away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This information is posted to the school district’s website, school websites and will be shared via schools with parents/guardians.  To learn more, please access the following link:

CMSD82 Alternative Back-To-School Plan for K-19 Students

We have developed the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as an information resource for all our school communities:

CMSD82 COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions – September 10, 2020

Should you have questions or you require further information, please do not hesitate to follow up with your School Principal for assistance.