New 'Learning Groups' at Brookes Westshore
Dear Brookes Westshore families,
We listened carefully to the announcement on Wednesday from the BC Minister of Education, Rob Fleming, and our Provincial Health Officer, Dr Bonnie Henry, about the plans for re-opening schools in BC in September. We are delighted that all schools will be open for full time, in-classroom instruction on September 8th 2020. The Government of BC expects all students to attend school. You can see the full briefing here.
We all understand that schools are a vital part of our community and are essential to the development of our children.
We are also happy that the plans that Brookes Westshore has been developing over the summer are in full alignment with the new guidelines for September’s re-opening that were announced on Wednesday.
The key element of the new school re-opening guidelines is the introduction of ‘Learning Groups’. These groups of students and staff will be able to participate in all school activities as a single household – allowing our school to function smoothly and with minimal disruption to learning.
Dr. Henry said the idea behind the learning groups “is to create groups of students and staff who will remain together throughout the school year and who primarily only interact with each other. While they may be not in the same classroom, learning groups will be able to connect with each other during breaks, in common areas, and places like the playground, the gym or the library.”
Learning groups will be allowed to be in classes, recess and lunch together without strict social distancing rules. For any interaction between learning groups, social distancing rules will be in place. Vice Principal Linda Bayes is working on a comprehensive plan that includes Learning Groups and is adjusting teacher assignments and the timetable accordingly.
We will adjust our school timetable to ensure that the Learning Groups are kept as separate as possible – for example by starting school, eating lunch, and finishing the school day at staggered intervals. We will provide a full timetable to you by August 26th so you can prepare for the term.
Of course, we will continue to implement the hand hygiene, social distancing and other protocols that are part of our 'new normal', and that help to keep our community healthy (see below for details).
Today we met with our Public Health Officer to go over our plans and protocols for re-opening school. The Officer was very pleased with how we are preparing our school for the new school year. We will continue to update our plans in response to any new guidelines.
We are very aware that we are only able to open our school in September because of the efforts of our entire community. Thank you all for doing your part.
For our international families - we will be contacting you directly next week to talk through the procedures for arriving in Canada. We will make sure you know what to expect and have all the information you need for a smooth and safe journey.
Sincerely
Jerry Salvador
Head of School
OUR PLEDGE
Brookes Westshore is committed to providing:
- A school environment which is purposely adjusted to limit the spread of COVID-19 and is safe for all students, teachers and staff.
- The continuation of learning and support for educational development of all students in an environment which is physical and emotionally safe and inspires learning.
- An environment where students, teachers and staff are supported in mental health challenges during this pandemic.
- Resources and procedures to ensure all understand and can implement the protocols and procedures developed by the BC government and have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and expectations to follow these guidelines.
- Regular and effective communication with staff, students and parents with current updates provided by the BC Public Health Officer and Worksafe BC.
The Public Health Authorities have determined that the virus behaves differently in children and these understandings have been used to provide guidance in school settings.
Boarding Students travelling from outside British Columbia
All students coming to Brookes from outside British Columbia will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Our dormitories will be open on August 8th for students to return and complete the required 14 day quarantine on our campus.
While in the dormitories during the isolation period:
- Dormitory staff will monitor all students in isolation.
- Dormitory staff will have necessary protective equipment available if they are required to enter the student room to provide them with any assistance.
- Online shopping will be available for students to purchase necessary supplies.
- Dormitory staff will assist students to acquire essential items required for their time in quarantine.
- Teachers will be on campus beginning August 10th to support students with Extended Essay and language learning.
- As soon as the 14-day isolation is completed, students will start attending classes.
- Classes will be provided in all subject areas to help students prepare for the upcoming academic year.
- The academic program for all students will begin on September 8th.
Boarding students travelling from within British Columbia
All local boarding students can return to campus and dormitories on August 23rd. Learning support classes in Language, Extended Essay and Approaches to Learning will begin on August 24th to provide academic support in all subject areas.
The official beginning to the 2020/2021 school year is on Tuesday September 8th.
YOUR HEALTH
All staff and students will be informed of and trained in the necessary protocols for the safe and healthy running of Brookes Westshore.
Regular and effective hand washing will be an essential element in infection prevention and control. Brookes Westshore will provide:
- Guidance and monitoring of student hand washing.
- Plentiful supplies of hand sanitizer and hand washing stations throughout the school.
- Signage and monitoring to encourage and support regular and effective hand washing.
- Checklists for day students on arrival at, and departure from, the school.
All parents of day students will be asked to conduct a daily health assessment of their child before coming to school. Brookes Westshore will provide a self-assessment tool to parents.
No student or staff member who is showing any symptoms of sickness will be allowed into the school. The Brookes Westshore nurse will coordinate daily health checks on students and staff. Any boarding student who shows symptoms will be immediately isolated and the school will liaise with the Ministry of Health on appropriate action.
Supporting
the mental health and wellness of our students and staff is a priority for Brookes Westshore. Our staff will monitor the social and emotional wellbeing of students and offer support and referral where appropriate. Counselling services are also available for all staff and students.
YOUR CAMPUS
Entry to the school will be monitored by staff at all times. We will provide a self-assessment tool to all families to ensure we are all diligent in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students.
Visitors to the school will be required to make an appointment in advance and access will be granted only for essential services. Anyone and everyone who comes to the campus of Brookes Westshore will be required to perfume a health self-assessment.
During the day students will be required to use specific entry and exit doors from the main buildings to maintain distance and reduce congestion and congregation. On arrival at the school students will be required to be either in their classroom or outside.
Hand Hygiene
Brookes Westshore classrooms and spaces will be given a ‘deep clean’ every day. Every high-touch surface will be identified and cleaned at least twice per day (door handles, sinks, etc.). Bathrooms will be ‘deep cleaned’ twice a day. Every classroom and office will have disinfectant and cleaning supplies provided for spot cleaning
Any item in the school which cannot be cleaned effectively will be either removed or its use severely limited. Students will be required to provide their own materials wherever possible (pens, paper, etc.) to reduce the need for sharing.
We are deeply committed to providing the best education we possibly can within the bounds of the current global crisis. We will do everything possible to support our students in their educational journey with us.
Jerry Salvador
Head of School
FURTHER RESOURCES
The protocols developed in this document have been created using the BC Ministry of Education’s guidelines for restarting school, BC Ministry of Health and Workplace BC.
BC Ministry Guidelines – Link to the BC Ministry of Health website – orders, notices and guidelines.
BC Ministry of Health – Public Health Guidance for K-12 School Settings
BC Cleaning Guidelines for COVID-19
COVID-19 self-assessment check list: BC Ministry of Health
