The new mask rules go into effect today and individual schools in the Prince Rupert area will be implementing the other measures put in place following yesterday's BC Government announcement on enhanced School response to COVID-19.
Prince Rupert Schools Superintendent Andrew Samoil made note of the new measures through a pair of social media posts this morning.
On Thursday, BC Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside announced the changes to policy to introduce the new mask measures for students from K-12 which will require non-medical masks in all indoor areas including when students are in their learning groups.
The only exceptions are:
Sitting or standing at their seat or workstation in a classroom;
When there is a barrier in place;
Or they are eating or drinking.
As well new guidelines are in place when it comes to physical education and music classes.
High-intensity physical activities are to be held outside as much as possible.
Shared equipment or items, such as weight machines, treadmills or musical instruments, can be used only if they are cleaned between use, according to strict school sanitization guidelines.
Students using equipment or playing instruments should also be spaced at least two metres apart and masks are to be used when singing.
The School District will also receive additional funding through a Federal government COVID funding program to be distributed by the province, though no details on what the funding will be directed towards locally has been identified to this point.
You can review more of the Minister of Education's announcement from our notes from yesterday's information session.
The new measures came later in the same day as a report from the BC Teachers Federation that outlined a range of concerns from teachers across the province.
BCTF President Teri Mooring who was not part of the Thursday media information session relayed some thoughts on the changes later in the day noting that they were positive, but that more could be done.
Among the measures that they would like to see implemented:
The stronger mask mandate does not apply to elementary students. However, the removal of the term “not recommended” will make it easier for teachers and school staffs to encourage more mask wearing. Parents and caregivers can help by ensuring their children go to school with masks. Districts should supply additional masks to students and staffs.
The lack of action to reduce school and classroom density will not help staff and students maintain physical distancing. However, it is good to see the recommended distance revert to two metres after public health changed it to one to two metres in the fall. Despite that positive change, distancing rules still don’t apply in classrooms.
The learning group cohort model has not changed and has proven to be a weak safety measure.
The absence of clear directives to improve ventilation.
The inaction on improving the contact tracing system.
The full statement from the BCTF as well as their additional recommendations can be reviewed here.
So far the Prince Rupert And District Teachers Union has not had a response to the new provincial moves.
For more notes related to Education in the Northwest see our archive pages here.
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