Updated March 27, 2022
On this page, you will find all information and announcements for the Fraser Health region and the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows school district community.
Download the Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings.
K – 12 Health Check
The BC Centre for Disease Control has updated its guidance on when to get a COVID-19 test and when to self-isolate. See the What to do when sick flowchart for a summary of this guidance.
Families must also continue to follow federal requirements for international travel. For most up-to-date information on travel and quarantine requirements, visit https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has led to changes in public health management. With higher levels of community transmission, a shorter virus incubation period, and the increased use of rapid antigen testing, contact tracing and close contact notification by public health is no longer effective in minimizing the spread of COVID-19. As a result, British Columbia school districts are shifting the school exposure notification process to a self-management system.
Recent public health guidance recommends anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 notify those with whom they live or have had intimate contact. They do not need to notify the school or others at school. Attendance will be closely monitored and if a public-health determined threshold of absences is met, families will be notified that the school is following up with public health for further investigation.
Whom should I notify if my child tests positive?
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must self-report and notify their close contacts. They do not need to notify the school or others at school.
• Additional guidance is available here: I Tested Positive for COVID-19.
• Additional guidance is available here: Instructions for close contacts.
The SD42 Communicable Diseases Prevention Plan has been developed based on guidance provided by the provincial health officer, BC Communicable Disease Control, Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, the BC Ministry of Education, and WorkSafeBC.
Review the SD42 Communicable Diseases Prevention Plan.
Below is a clickable list of resources available to help parents/guardians and educators talk with children about COVID-19:
The BC government has created free virtual educational programs for students, parents and educators to support social and emotional well-being as part of navigating the new world of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The free, virtual WE Well-being program was recently launched as part of the new WE Schools @home program. Accessible for grades K-12 in both English and French, the program is aimed at youth who are experiencing anxiety and social isolation. It places a special emphasis on WE Well-being online learning, including social-emotional learning and resiliency.
Learn more about the WE Well-being program: https://www.we.org/en-CA/get-doing/activities-and-resources/wellbeing/
For more:
Learn more about the WE Schools @home program: https://www.we.org/en-CA/our-work/we-schools/at-home/
EASE at Home offers helpful tips for parents, like how to teach children calming breathing techniques or use structured games like scavenger hunts to build routine in a way that’s fun: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/ease
The Ministry of Education’s Erase strategy was expanded to include mental health: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase
For more information about available child and mental-health supports and contact information, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/mental-health-intake-clinics
The Ministry of Education has launched Here2Talk, a free 24/7 mental health support for post-secondary students Download the app: https://here2talk.ca
The Ministry of Education has also created virtual opportunities for LGBTQ2S+ students to connect. Read the press release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EDUC0020-000755
Other resources:
The Indigenous Child & Youth Mental Health Team for the North Fraser continues to deliver services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more information.
Foundry Ridge Meadows offers young people 12-24 access to health and social services. As of April 20, 2020, young people and their families will be able to access youth-focused virtual clinics offering counselling, peer support, primary care and family support through voice calls, video and chat.
Food Security
Low-Cost Free Food Ridge Meadows April 2020
Financial Support
Federal: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#individuals
Provincial: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/covid-19-financial-supports
Parent Peer Support
Family Smart Parent In Residence, Jeannie Harnett (jeannie.harnett@familysmart.ca)
Kerry Lawson (klawson@fsibc.com ); 778-868-2404 – Family Support Institute of BC (specific to families whose children have extra support needs)
Family Navigation (i.e. help to access various agencies/resources)
Natalie Binns (familynav@parented.ca ); 778.726.1826 – Family Education and Support Centre
Child Care Resource and Referral (MRPM Community Services)
Online Parent Education
The Family Education and Support Centre is offering online support groups and programs for families.
Visit https://www.familyed.bc.ca/ for more information.
Online groups for children under 6
FraserValleyLibrary – YouTube (virtual storytimes)
Facebook Page for Family Place Community Parenting Centre (Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Community Services)
Supportive Parenting – Westcoast Family Centres
Healthy Parenting Group – Westcoast Family Centres
Counselling Support
Indigenous CYMH supports and resources
SOGI supports and resources
Cythera
Kids Help Phone
Ridge Meadows Foundry (Offers young people 12-24 access to health and social services.)
Child and Youth Mental Health (MCFD) intake clinic – Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; phone first at 604.466.7300
Pathways
Wellness Together Canada
Links to other COVID support
City of Maple Ridge: http://www.mapleridge.ca/2408/COVID-19-Information
City of Pitt Meadows: https://www.pittmeadows.ca/node/6459
Fraser Health COVID-19 page: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/COVID19#.Xp9LwNo1s2w
Access to Virtual Doctor and COVID Screening: https://www.divisionsbc.ca/ridge-meadows
United Way: Hi Neighbour Program for those who are self-isolating or essential service workers
Community Network Dropbox Links:
Resources for Service Providers
Resources for Parents
The BC Ministry of Education has created a new website that offers a collection of resources for parents and caregivers to help support their children learning at home.
This is a central place where families can find ideas for everyday educational activities, annotated links to free learning resources, as well as how to help children learn and how to ensure their well-being while they are at home.
Visit the Open School BC website.
Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District teacher librarians have curated a wide range of free online Remote Learning Resources for parents and students. Access these Remote Learning Resources through the Library tab on your school’s website. Or, click here to directly access the Remote Learning Resources.
The Fraser Valley Regional Library’s digital resources can be found under the Digital Content tab on its website. Here is a link to the consolidated list: https://www.fvrl.bc.ca/databases.php.
Those who don’t already have an FVRL card can now sign up online for an eCard and get instant access to all FVRL digital content: https://onlineregistration.fvrl.bc.ca/. Daily virtual programming can be found on our Facebook page at facebook.com/ReadLearnPlay.
