School District 42 COVID-19 Updates

School District 42 COVID-19 Updates

Updated August 30, 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.

What to do when sick

If experiencing COVID-19 symptoms:

For information on whether you should get tested for COVID-19, use the When to Get Tested for COVID-19 resource or the B.C. Self-Assessment Tool. Unsure about your symptoms? Connect with a health care provider or call 8-1-1.

Staff, children, or other persons in the school setting who test positive for COVID-19 should follow the guidance on the BCCDC website on how long to self-isolate. They can return to school when they no longer need to self-isolate as long as symptoms have improved, and they are well enough to participate in regular activities.

 

If experiencing other symptoms, isn’t recommended to take a COVID-19 test (most people) or tests negative for COVID-19:

Staff, children, or other persons can attend school if their symptoms are consistent with a previously diagnosed health condition (e.g. seasonal allergies) or symptoms have improved enough to where they feel well enough to return to regular activities and their fever has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medications (e.g. ibuprofen, acetaminophen). Information specific to COVID-19 is available from BCCDC.

International Travel

Families must 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

SD42 COVID-19 Communicable Diseases Prevention Plan

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 Child Care, and WorkSafeBC.

Review the SD42 Communicable Diseases Prevention Plan.

Tips and resources for talking to kids or students about COVID-19

Below is a clickable list of resources available to help parents/guardians and educators talk with children about COVID-19: 

Ministry of Education and Child Care online resources for students to support social, emotional well-being and mental health

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:

 

Community Resource Guide

MCFD Community Resource Guide – Ridge Meadows

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

Educational resources for parents/guardians

Open School 

The BC Ministry of Education and Child Care 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.

Read the press release

Visit the Open School BC website. 

 

SD42 Remote Learning Resources 

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.

 

Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL)

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.

 

Our vision
Our vision is for every individual to feel valued and for all learners to reach their potential.
Our mission
Our mission is to support all individuals in their development as successful learners, and as respectful, caring and responsible members of society.