Announcements

Dear families,

Before we head into spring break, I wanted to take a moment to share with you some important school-related updates on the novel coronavirus.

I have attached for you a letter from Deputy Minister Scott MacDonald that highlights a number of the important announcements made yesterday by Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. (more…)

Dear parents/guardians,

Since we are soon heading into spring break, I wanted to take a moment to highlight some important reminders about travel in the current context of COVID-19, as provided by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam.

If you are planning an international trip with your family this spring break, please remember to monitor the Government of Canada travel site for the latest travel advisories at www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories. Dr. Henry notes COVID-19 is currently found in 80 countries, and advises there should be both a careful assessment of and a low tolerance for international travel. Dr. Tam, in the meantime, advises Canadians to avoid all cruise ship travel.

Those with underlying health issues should reconsider trips at this time. (more…)

Dear families,

I am writing to you regarding the school district decision to cancel the field trips we had scheduled for spring break. These cancellations included two trips to Japan, a trip to Italy, a trip to Europe, as well as a trip to New York.

We know that a great deal of planning goes into these trips, and that our students and staff truly look forward to them. We also anticipated that the decision to cancel the trips would be upsetting news for many of our families. I can assure you that senior staff took all this into consideration when making this difficult decision.
(more…)

Novel Coronavirus Update

We are writing to all school districts to give you updated information on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), a new virus causing respiratory illness. Fraser Health is working closely with provincial partners and school districts as we manage and support cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region. We want to assure the public that people who may be at risk of COVID-19 exposure were contacted by public health officials. There are no new cases of COVID-19 in our region. (more…)

Dear parents/guardians,

On Monday, February 24, 2020, all school districts in the province received guidance from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control regarding recommended measures for preventing and controlling respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, in schools and childcare settings.

Please see the document below for a summary of these recommendations, information on how the recommendations are being implemented in our school district, and guidance on the steps you can take at home. (more…)

Dear parents/guardians,

As you know, on February 21, Fraser Health provided school districts in the Fraser Valley with an update on novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Since the release of this update, many different concerns have begun to circulate online in the region.

Although school districts cannot speak about specific schools or specific individuals, I want to reassure you that the Fraser Health Authority reports there is no public threat at schools in the region or anywhere else in the province. Whenever there is a public health matter, school districts work closely with health authorities to keep students and staff safe. (more…)

On Feb. 24, Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a joint statement announcing B.C.’s seventh case of COVID-19 – a man in his 40s – a close contact of the sixth case who lives in the Fraser Health region. Please see more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0043-000320

Please note provincial recommendations on travel-related, self isolation:

The Provincial Health Officer is advising people who have been to Hubei province in the last 14 days, or who have been in contact with someone who has, to call public health officials and self-isolate for 14 days. (more…)

The following novel coronavirus (COVID-19) update has been provided by Fraser Health:

(Click to read)

Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District six-year grad completion rates increased slightly in 2018/19, marking the fifth straight year of overall improvement.

• Completion rates for all students increased from 91.4% in 2017/18 to 91.8% for 2018/19;
• Completion rates for BC resident students have decreased slightly from 92.7% to 92.3% but remain strong;
• Completion rates for Aboriginal Education students have decreased for 2018/19 at 81.2% but continue to sit well above the 69% provincial average;
• Completion rates students with special needs have increased slightly from 81.4% in 2017/18 to 82.5% in 2018/19 and also sit well above the 72% provincial average;
• Completion rates for ELL graduation rates improved from 90.0% in 2017/18 to 90.9% in 2018/19.

See the February 7, 2020 update below from Ministry of Health on novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We are writing to give you updated information on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a new virus causing respiratory illness. Families may be concerned about the risk to their families. The highest number of infections continue to be reported from Hubei Province, China. There have been a small number of cases of 2019-nCoV in B.C. which are being very closely managed. The risk to British Columbians remains low.

Our knowledge of this virus continues to grow, and we are using new information to adjust our public health recommendations. We are now aware of early evidence that this virus can cause a range of mild to severe symptoms, and it is possible that people will not recognize symptoms that are mild. During this time, they can reduce the chance of spread by limiting contact with others. (more…)