MEI FAQ (COVID-19)

Created: March 23, 2020

Updated: October 22, 2020

CONFIRMED CASE of COVID-19? What Next?

STAGE 2 FAQ DIRECTLY BELOW

Please contact your school’s principal for more detailed information in regards to your specific school.

Updates highlighted in GREEN: September 4, 2020

Q: Can MEI provide Distritubed Learning (DL or online learning) this year?
No, independent schools have not been authorized to provide DL. This has been confirmed again by FISA this morning and directly from the Independent Schools Branch earlier this week.

However, as of September 1, all schools in B.C. may utilize remote learning supports to ensure continuity of learning during temporary in-class absences, (eg. If a cohort is put into temporary isolation) or deliver partial or full online learning in the event of a switch to Stage 3 (hybrid) or Stage 4/5 (all online). Independent schools are not permitted to provide online learning as an alternative to in-school instruction during Stage 2.

Q: Why are public schools able to provide DL?
Many public school districts already provide DL through one of their schools. For example, Abbotsford (SD34) has a certified DL school, Abbotsford Virtual School (AVS), as an option for learning. Any family in B.C. can choose this option. To accommodate the potential of thousands of families choosing AVS temporarily and then requesting a return to their bricks-and-mortar school sometime this year, SD34 is providing a temporary transition program for families that is scheduled to start on September 21st.

Q: What are the Stages of Opening in B.C. schools?

> Link

Stage 5 - Remote learning for all

Stage 4 - Remote learning with exceptions

Stage 3 - In-class and remote learning (hybrid)

Stage 2 - Learning Groups: full-time, in-class

Stage 1 - Learning as usual: full-time, in-class

Q: What is MEI’s Plan for Stage 2 Opening (Posted August 19th)
> Please click here for parent letter and the Stage 2 Plan

Q: What are the safety measures being employed at MEI?

MEI will follow all directives of the Provincial Health Authorities and the Ministry of Education. Please see directives below as provided at the B.C.’s Back To School Plan document found here.

> Masks
Every student and staff member will be given two masks when they return to school in September.

Under the updated health and safety guidelines, masks are required for all staff and all students in middle and secondary school when they are in high traffic areas like school buses and hallways, and anytime they are outside of their classroom or learning group and they cannot safely distance from others.

- Students will have the choice to wear a mask in the classroom

- Staff will have the choice to wear a mask when interacting within their learning group

- Everyone must treat each other and those wearing masks with respect

Even when wearing a mask, staff and students will still be required to maintain physical distance from people outside of their learning group.
Exceptions will be made for students and staff who cannot wear masks for medical reasons

Elementary school students are not required to wear masks.

> Practicing physical distancing
Reducing the number of close, in-person interactions helps prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Keep a safe distance from others. The BCCDC recommends at least two metres

People in a learning group don't need to stay two metres apart but they must limit physical contact. Classrooms will be set up to promote spacing between students where possible.

Outside of a learning group, including extracurricular activities, middle and secondary students and all K-12 staff must keep a healthy distance,

Physical Distancing Strategies
- Add barriers when students can't maintain two metres between two or more people and when people interact with a high number of individuals (like at a front reception desk or in a cafeteria)
- Spread students and staff out to different areas when possible
- Stagger break and transition times
- Incorporate individual activities
- Remind students to keep their hands to themselves

> Riding a school bus

- Buses should be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with BCCDC guidelines
- Buses should be loaded from back to front and offloaded from front to back
- Keep seating consistent and assign seats where possible. If space is available, each student should have their own seat unless sharing with a member of their household
- Middle and secondary school students are required to wear non-medical masks. No student is required to wear a mask if they do not tolerate it
- Masks aren't recommended for elementary students on buses because they are more likely to touch their face and may need help putting them on and taking them off
- Schools and school districts can consider a transparent barrier to separate the driver from the students
- Schools and school districts should keep up to date passenger lists to share with public health if contact tracing needs to occur
- Students should clean their hands before they leave home, when they leave school, and when they get home

> Using shared items

In elementary schools, adapt group activities to limit physical contact and reduce shared items.

- Limit use of frequently-touched items that can't be easily cleaned
- Clean and disinfect laminated materials daily if multiple people touch them

Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces at least twice every 24 hours, including:

- Door knobs
- Light switches
- Toilet handles
- Tables, desks and chairs used by multiple students
- Keyboards
- Toys

Avoid sharing all food and drinks, including homemade foods like birthday treats or bake sale items.

- If they show up at school, keep them from being shared

Students should label all their personal items and not share them.

There is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted on textbooks, paper, or other paper-based products.

- Schools can share books or paper-based educational resources with students

> Practicing hand hygiene

Rigorous hand washing is the most effective way to reduce the spread of illness.

- Wash hands with plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- You don't need antibacterial soap for COVID-19
- The temperature of the water doesn't matter, though most find warm water to be the most comfortable
- Have regular opportunities for staff and students to practice hand hygiene
- Help younger students with hand hygiene as needed

If there isn't a sink (like when students and staff are outdoors), use portable hand-washing sites or alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.

If hands are visibly dirty, soap and water are best. If they're not available, use an alcohol-based hand wipe followed by alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.

> Cleaning the school
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least twice every 24 hours (once during the school day).

This is in addition to a general school cleaning, which should happen at least once a day.

Cleaning Strategies

- Clean and disinfect any surface that is visibly dirty
- Use common cleaning and disinfectant products
- Limit frequently-touched items that aren't easy to clean
- Empty garbage containers daily
- Clean and disinfect laminated materials daily if multiple people touch them

> Installing physical barriers

Add barriers when people can't keep a healthy distance (two metres) and when people interact with a high number of individuals (like at a front reception desk or in a cafeteria).

> Controlling traffic flow
Use floor markings and posters to show traffic flow throughout the school.

- This may include one-way hallways and designated entrance and exit doors

Schools must keep the same number of exits and ensure they adhere to the fire code.

Q: What are the guidelines provided by the government for organizing students into learning groups?

> Elementary schools

Elementary schools will still be organized into classrooms as students’ primary learning environment and have the option to create learning groups of up to 60 students and staff who can interact more regularly.

> Middle schools

At the beginning of the school year, your child selects the classes they want to take from different teachers.

These selections may have been done last spring. They will be confirmed or adjusted based on current staffing and other circumstances.

Once course selections are finalized, students are assigned a learning group based on their grade level and the classes they selected.

They will remain with that learning group for their elective program choices as well as their core curriculum.

>Secondary schools

Secondary school students will continue to be organized in courses. School timetables will be organized to limit students to learning groups of no more than 120 students and staff.

Schools will analyze student enrolment and course selection to identify "natural learning groups," students who are taking the same core subjects and electives.

Secondary schools will be able to re-organize learning groups after each quarter or semester.

Q: When should my child stay home from school?