Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

Prevention measures as outlined from the BC COVID-19 Safe Schools website:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/covid-19-safe-schools
Prevention measures are in place to reduce the spread of communicable diseases including COVID-19. These include effective personal practices like health awareness, staying home when sick and regular hand cleaning. All students and staff should:
​Health awareness
Health awareness reduces the likelihood of a person coming to school when they are sick. This includes checking regularly for symptoms of illness to make sure you or your child don't come to school while sick. Students, staff and other adults should follow public health guidance and the recommendations of their health care provider when they are sick. Health information is also available from Healthlink BC or by calling 8-1-1.

Masks
The decision to wear a mask or face covering is a personal choice for everyone. People can choose to continue to wear a mask throughout the day or during specific activities. This choice will be supported and treated with respect. 

Communicable disease guidelines
The Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 School Settings are developed by the Ministry of Education and Child Care, in collaboration with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Indigenous rightsholders and education partners, including teachers, parents and school leaders.
These guidelines build on public health guidance, and are used by boards of education, independent school authorities and schools to support communicable disease prevention planning.
Ventilation
WMS has upgraded the HEPA air filtration system to MERV-19. We continue to use  JADE suricially clean air purifier and Levoit air filtration systems in the classrooms.

Cleaning and disinfecting schools
Regular cleaning and disinfection is done help prevent the spread of communicable diseases. General cleaning of schools is done regularly, with frequently touched surfaces cleaned more often (for example, once in a 24-hour period) and when visibly dirty.

Communicable disease protocols 

​Students and staff who become sick at school
If a student or staff member develops symptoms at school:
  • Masks available for those who are sick and the people assisting them
  • We have an area where people are separated from their classmates or colleagues and can wait comfortably
  • Younger children will be supervised when separated
  • The student's parent or guardian will be contacted and asked to have their child picked up as soon as possible
  • Staff will be asked to go home as soon as possible
  • Staff will clean and disinfect the areas the person used
  • The person should stay home and follow public health advice on when to return to activities. Most people can return to school when their symptoms have improved and they feel well enough to participate in regular activities.   

Communicable disease activity at school
Communicable diseases, including COVID-19, will continue to circulate. As long as cases occur within our communities, K to12 students and staff members will continue to be affected. We will contact public health if we have concerns about communicable disease transmission within schools and require additional support. 

Public health orders
Public health orders may be put in place for the province, entire regions or certain communities. This can include for schools, or specific settings or activities.

Public health orders are implemented at the discretion of the local Medical Health Officer or the Provincial Health Officer in response to the broader risk of communicable disease transmission in the community. 

In and outside the classroom School visitors
All visitors to school grounds, including community groups, must follow the school's communicable disease prevention measures, including staying home when sick. 

Music, physical education, sports, clubs and extracurricular activities
All music and physical education programs, sports, clubs and extracurricular activities are allowed.
Students should be encouraged to:
  • Clean their hands before and after using shared equipment
  • Not to share equipment that touches the mouth, like an instrument mouth piece or water bottle, unless cleaned and disinfected in between uses
  • Cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing

Assemblies, gatherings and events
School gatherings and events can occur.

Education programs In-class instruction
There is no substitute for in-class instruction. It provides students with face-to-face teacher-led learning, peer engagement, supports social and emotional development and decreases feelings of isolation.
School also provides many students access to supports they can't get at home and is integral to their overall health.

In-Class Instruction During Stage 2
Under Stage 2 of BC’s Five Stages Framework for K-12 Education, the expectation from the Ministry of Education is that schools in BC implement in-class instruction for students. We are prepared to deliver in-class instruction for all our students. Should the need arise, we are also prepared to adapt if a shift to Stages 3, 4, or 5 be required during the year. 

BC's Restart Plan 
WMS' Return to School Plan 
In line with the recommendations made by the Ministry of Health, BC Centre of Disease Control, WorkSafeBC and the World Health Organization, we prepared the following health and safety protocols and procedures in response to COVID-19. This plan has been reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Education and will be updated as needed.
Daily Health Check Commitment - Parent Responsibility 
Parents and caregivers are to complete a Daily Health Check with their child prior to sending them to school. We strongly encourage families to access the Daily Health Check App at home for easy reference and the most current information. 
Public Health Links / Coronavirus 
Last updated 25th February 2021