Fraser Health will continue to provide COVID-19 notification of school exposures over the winter break.
That is the message the health region provided parents of children attending the Delta school district Thursday.
In a letter to families, FHA Medical Health Officer Ariella Zbar noted, “Over the last few months, schools have made significant efforts to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 by following health and safety plans, communicating with families, and meeting students’ educational needs. Fraser Health continues to work closely with school leadership and we know we are all in this together.”
Zbar noted the health region will continue to provide notification of exposures over the break, including early notification letters that will be distributed to schools.
School exposures will be listed on the Fraser Health website.
Self-monitoring and self-isolation letters will also be distributed to schools based on the level of risk of the school exposure.
Since school exposures are a reflection of community transmission, the FHA strongly encourages everyone to follow the current public health orders over the winter break including not gathering with anyone outside of your immediate household, only travelling for essential purposes and wearing a mask in all indoor public settings.
The B.C. Teacher’s Federation this week reiterated its call for the province to implement smaller classes and a mandatory mask policy for schools.
The following Delta schools are currently on the FHA school exposures list: Health Elementary (exposure event occurred Dec. 10), Annieville Elementary (Dec. 2), Delview Secondary (Dec. 3), Hellings Elementary (Dec. 3, 4), North Delta Secondary (Dec. 2, 3, 4) and Pinewood Elementary (Dec. 2, 3, 4).
Schools will be closed from Dec. 19 until Jan. 3, with classes resuming at all schools on Monday, Jan. 4.
In a message to parents this week, district superintendent Doug Sheppard said, “It’s been a year of constant change and adaptation, and I can say with great pride that our students and staff have showed wonderful resilience, compassion and tenacity. Our educators and support staff have worked incredibly hard to maintain a safe, stable and focused learning environment for our students and I am so thankful for their talent and daily efforts."
Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside also issued a letter to parents Thursday, saying,"We know that school is the best place for most students to learn, and for their social and emotional wellbeing. While school doesn’t look the same this year, we are all committed to ensuring all students continue to learn and are fully supported."
