Announcements

Dear parents/guardians,

Please see the attached letter to families from Education Minister Rob Fleming and BCCPAC President Andrea Sinclair:

Letter to families from Education Minister Rob Fleming and BCCPAC President Andrea Sinclair

May 27, 2020

A Letter from From Fraser Health

Dear School Administrators, Staff, Students and Parents,

Through careful evidence-based planning by public health experts and in accordance with BC’s Restart Plan, students can voluntarily return to school on a part-time basis starting June 1, 2020. With effective public health measures in place, BC has done an excellent job of decreasing the community spread of COVID-19. (more…)

Dear 2020 graduating class families,

We are certainly sharing a very unusual time with you and finding meaningful and safe ways to celebrate our graduating classes of 2020 this June is challenging.

For most graduates, it is the chance to toss their mortar boards high into the air with their classmates or to take group pictures with their friends and loved ones in their caps and gowns that makes commencement meaningful. For staff, families and friends, it is the coming together of the class to recognize their achievements that makes commencement special. (more…)

Dear families,

We are heartened by the improved circumstances in our province and sincerely look forward to welcoming students back into our schools starting June 1. As we reopen, however, the organization of our schools will look different than it did before COVID-19. Our focus over the next few weeks will be on continuing to ensure that all appropriate health and safety measures are in place to protect our students and staff as they return to some in-classroom instruction. I am writing today to provide you with some details about the changes we have implemented. (more…)

Dear families,

We look forward to welcoming students back into our schools starting June 1. As we reopen, however, the organization of our schools will look different than it did before COVID-19. Our focus over the next few weeks will be on continuing to ensure that all appropriate health and safety measures are in place to protect our students and staff as they return to part-time in-school instruction. I am writing today to provide you with key details about the changes we have implemented. (more…)

Dear families,

This morning, Minister of Education Rob Fleming announced that all schools in BC will be moving to Stage 3 of BC’s Restart Plan. As a result, effective June 1, 2020, families will have the choice of bringing their children back to class on a part-time basis. The goal is to return to full-time classes in September 2020, provided it is safe to do so. For your information, Stage 3 includes the following:

• Kindergarten to Grade 5: in-class learning 2 to 3 days per week, supplemented with remote instruction.
• Grades 6 to 12: in-class learning 1 day a week, supplemented with remote instruction.
• Children of essential service workers (aged 5-12), students with disabilities/diverse abilities, and students needing additional supports: option to attend school 5 days per week.
• Families who decide not to send their children to class: continued remote instruction until the end of the 2019/20 school year (June 1 to 24 for most schools; June 1 to July 21 for Kanaka Creek Elementary).

The details of Minister Fleming’s announcement are captured in the attached news release. A video of today’s press conference is also available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96E1NAVD_iU&feature=emb_logo.

The safety of students and staff is always our top priority. During Stage 3, all district schools and facilities will operate under the strict guidelines developed by the Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control. A copy of these guidelines is attached. Additionally, our approved return-to-class and safety plans will be posted to the district website once they are approved by the Ministry of Education and before our schools reopen.

Next Steps

To help us plan for the start of Stage 3 services, please take our brief survey to let us know if your child(ren) will be accessing in-class learning beginning June 1, 2020, or if they will be continuing with remote instruction for the remainder of the school year. Please carefully review the attached documents and/or watch Minister Fleming’s press conference video before taking the survey so that you can make an informed decision.

The survey, which you can find at https://letstalksd42.ca/voluntary-return-to-school-survey, CLOSES at 4 pm on May 20, 2020.

TAKE THE SURVEY NOW

As soon as we have had an opportunity to review the survey results, your child’s school principal will provide you with additional details related to attendance schedules and procedures.

Essential Service Workers

Children of essential service workers who have been accessing childcare and educational programming will be returning to their home school before June 1, 2020. Assistant superintendent Ken Cober will provide families registered in the Essential Service Worker program with details in the coming week.

Food Hamper Program

The school district will continue with its food hamper program until the end of June for families who have been accessing this service.

Transportation: Regular and Special Needs

Information about regular student transportation and transportation for students with special needs will be provided in the coming week.

Over the next two weeks, we will be finalizing our operational plan and submitting it to the ministry for approval. You will have an opportunity to review our approved operational plan before our schools reopen on June 1.

I would like to thank you once again for your patience and your resilience during this challenging time. I sincerely look forward to welcoming our students back to our schools, even if it is only on a part-time basis.

Sincerely,

Sylvia Russell
Superintendent

Parents or guardians who want more information about childcare in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows can visit the Community Services Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR) page at https://comservice.bc.ca/programs-services/children-youth-family-services/childcare/childcare-resource-referral-program

Essential service workers who are in need of childcare for children aged infant to 5 years can click here to make a request: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/child-care-response-covid-19/child-care-response-covid-19-parent/child-care-response-covid-19-parent-form
*Please note that the form will go to your local CCRR for assistance.

The May 13, 2020 regular meeting of the Board will be live-streamed at https://www.sd42.ca/online-board-meetings/ starting at 6 pm.

Dear graduating class of 2020 and families,

One of the most common questions asked by our Grade 12 students since the suspension of in-class instruction is what will happen with graduation ceremonies this year. Understandably, Grade 12 students have been worried that they will miss out on this key milestone. I am writing to share with you the details of how the current conditions will affect the graduation ceremonies originally planned for late May and June 2020. (more…)

The April 29, 2020 regular meeting of the Board will be live-streamed at https://www.sd42.ca/online-board-meetings/ starting at 6 pm.