You should have received a SURVEY from your child’s teacher or Principal today. It is very important that you complete the survey by tomorrow Thursday May 21. One submission per child with your intentions to return your child to the school building or not. The choices are: yes, no, not sure yet. Access the survey here.

The Government of BC has established that schools in BC must be, at a minimum, offering the following direct service levels to students by June 1.    
The Ministry has set “density” limits (number of students in the class) of 50% for K to Grade 5 and 20% for Grade 6 to12, and recommended instructional times of 2 to 3 days per week for K to Grade 5 students, and one day per week for Grade 6 and 7 students.  Districts and regions can propose some variance of the above guidelines, provided any delivery beyond these requirements is within guidelines established by the Public Health Authority.  Please know that whether you choose to send your child to school in June or not is your choice.  This is an option that is being added to provide for the social/emotional needs of our students, and to enable parents to return to work.

A Summary from DPAC Executive
First they need to survey all families in the District to see how many students may be coming back.  Then they need to figure out where they will be put in the school if some classrooms have reached their densities before others. Partner groups will be consulted, and families will again be contacted to inform them of the plan.  A plan needs to be submitted to the Ministry by the end of Monday May 25th.  The Health and Safety Committee also needs to meet and review their procedures in light of the new numbers.  So the District has their work cut out for them, hence the URGENT email survey you may be receiving from your child’s teachers this morning.

To summarize:
-Essential Service Workers (ESW) category has now been expanded to include teachers; therefore, their kids will be eligible to return to school 5 days a week.
-This day will no longer be a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. day for ESWs children, but a normal school day.
-All non-ESW families in the District are now able to send their children to school starting June 1st as follows: K-5 for 2 to 3 days a week, full days.  6-12 one full day a week.
-Families are receiving communications (phone calls, emails) from their schools starting today and the District needs that info back ASAP to begin their planning.
-Once the District has numbers, they will formulate a plan.  No one will be refused within the parameters set out above (2-3 full days/week , 1 full day a week).
-School meals programs will continue as they are.
-The last day for all schools will be June 25th. There are no plans to extend the school year.
-If parents change their minds about their survey answers, they should call their school’s admin and have that conversation.
-Remote learning resources (online learning) will still be available for families who chose not to send their children back to school this school year, although they may not be as robust as before due to the presence of students in the classroom as well.

An important update from BCCPAC following last Friday’s announcements about education. Please follow the links and get information from the source. Let DPAC know if you need any assistance.

COVID-19 Update for K-12 Education

Please review the information below AND our page where we have posted ALL documents and information.

May 12
Provincial Survey – BC has launched a population health survey to gather valuable information about how COVID-19 has impacted the health and well-being of people throughout the province. You can complete the survey up to May 31.

May 13
The Provincial State of Emergency was extended to May 26.

May 15
It was announced that on June 1, parents will have the option of sending their children to school part-time, with new health and safety measures implemented. BC’s Restart Plan outlines a gradual return to full-time classes by September, provided it is safe to do so. There was a LOT of information published and much to read.

• Read the news release
• Watch the media briefing with Premier John Horgan; Rob Fleming, Minister of Education; Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer; and Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care; for an update about B.C.’s plans to ensure more students have access to in-class instruction before the end of the school year
• The Parent FAQ document was updated
• BC’s K-12 Education Restart Plan was released and it outlines the five-step approach for resuming in-class instruction
• The Provincial COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for K-12 Setting were release and provide detailed information and guidelines pertaining to health and safety in K-12 schools
• Operational Guidelines for School Districts and Independent School Authorities were updated
• Public Health Guidance for K-12 was released
• WorkSafeBC K-12 Education Protocols were published providing guidance and protocols for returning to operation for K-12 education providers

May 20
The Minister of Education Rob Fleming and British Columbia School Trustees Association President Stephanie Higginson will be hosting a virtual town hall on Facebook and YouTube, Wednesday May 20 at 7:15 p.m. Learn more about the return to school for BC students in June. Submit your questions before Wednesday.

May 22
Since returning to class is voluntary and most students will be attending part time, school leaders will contact families (make sure they have your email/phone #) to make arrangements for children to return to in-class instruction. If parents/guardians have not heard from their schools by May 22, 2020, they are asked to contact their principal. Parents and caregivers are advised to follow the schedule provided for their child to ensure a safe and orderly restart.

May 25
Following the May 15 announcement, school districts are required to submit their Stage 3 Return-to-School Instruction Plan in readiness for June 1.

DPAC has been discussing online FoodSafe options that are more accessible to parent volunteers at our schools. These are often more economical too. We are prepared to reimburse a portion of the fee for SD 57 PAC members who procedure a valid certificate. Contact us at DPAC@sd57learn.com or attend our June 1 Meeting if you are interested in this option.

SD57 Policy:
Food sold or served in schools will be prepared and handled in a safe manner and will take into account the nutritional needs of children and youths.

This means:
If food is prepared at an event for others there must be a person with a FoodSafe Level 1 certificate supervising at all times. If pre‐made food is being provided this does not apply.

The BC Public Health Act: Food Premises Regulation, Part 3, Division 2 – Training, FOODSAFE Training 10 states that:
1. Every operator of a food service establishment must hold a certificate, issued by a health official, for the successful completion of the food handler training program known as FOODSAFE or its equivalent.
2. Every operator of a food service establishment must ensure that, while the operator is absent from the food service establishment, at least one employee present in the establishment holds the certificate referred to in subsection (1).

This means that it is not required by the BC regulation that you have a valid FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate in order to work as a server or in food preparation provided at least one employee or the employer/operator on shift has a valid FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate. As long as there is at least one person on each shift who holds valid FOODSAFE level 1 certification or an approved equivalency your work should not be affected.
However, many employers and organizations have their own internal policies and procedures and may require that all their employees or volunteers have a valid (not-expired) FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate, or an approved equivalency, as part of all their employee/volunteer requirements. If this is the case, then you should follow-up with your employer/organization to ensure that you meet its internal policy.

The FOODSAFE course is about preventing the transmission of foodborne illness and also about worker safety on the job. People who prepare, serve and clean up food should take the course for the safety of the customers and also for their own safety. 

All FOODSAFE Level 1 certificates issued before July 29, 2013 expired on July 29, 2018.
All FOODSAFE Level 1 certificates issued since July 30, 2013 are valid for 5 years and the expiry date is indicated on your certificate.
If unsure whether you need to recertify, check the website here.

A FoodSafe course must provide a certificate result in the attendee being registered in the FOODSAFE registry upon successful completion. 

Certificate

Wallet Card

The online FoodSafe Level 1 for first time attendees or those with an expired FoodSafe certificate is $115 online and you have 20 days to complete it: https://openschool.bc.ca/foodsafe_level1/

Effective January 16, 2019 only individuals with a current FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate will be eligible to register for the online Refresher course. It is $55: https://www.openschool.bc.ca/foodsafe_refresher/

However these are just the Government of BC Open School links.  A quick search online showed there are many other options including (but limited to):

• http://www.foodsafe.ca/index.html
• https://www.kccsoft.com/foodsafetybc/
• https://www.foodsafetytraining.ca/
• https://www.foodsafety.ca/
• https://www.safecheck1.com/

The costs for the above listed courses range from $25 to $150 dollars.

The online Food Handler Course must be accepted by the BC Centre for Disease Control as an equivalent to FoodSafe. Check the approved list here:

Many PACs have had to cancel meetings and events due to COVID-19. Gaming funds were likely intended to be used for events and fundraisers and expenses have been incurred in many cases. Here is some important info and links related to Gaming Grants.

1. Apply as usual.
2. Annual Report still due.
3. If unable to spend grant funds, indicate on your Annual Report.

Parent Advisory Councils and District Parent Advisory Councils:
Apply between April 1 and June 30.
Notification by September 30.

COVID-19 FAQs for Community Gaming Grant Recipients & Applicants

Updated April 2, 2020 Read online here

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Gaming Grants program reaffirms that our top priority remains the health and safety of British Columbians. We recognize the substantial and unprecedented impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on B.C.’s not-for-profit sector. We are closely monitoring sector impacts and are working as quickly as possible to adjust our processes and policies in response to the rapidly evolving situation. We appreciate your patience during this challenging time.
The following FAQs are for past recipients and new applicants for Community Gaming Grants.

Given current events, should our organization continue to apply for Community Gaming Grant funding in 2020?
Yes. We are committed to supporting our applicants during these challenging times and will work with you to help you plan for the year ahead as this pandemic may have impact on your program revenues, expenses and in-kind support.

If your organization is unable to provide required documentation due to recent events (e.g. AGM meeting minutes, program budgets, etc.), or has been/will be forced to alter the delivery of its previously approved programming, please provide an explanation with your application. Upcoming sector deadlines are currently being reviewed and may be subject to change. Please visit this website regularly to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

Our organization has cancelled/postponed or wants to cancel/postpone our programming in light of B.C.’s requirements for social and physical distancing. What are our options?
The Community Gaming Grant branch will NOT ask you to repay funding for previously approved programming, which is cancelled/postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  
If an approved program is cancelled/postponed, organizations may redirect the funds to any other approved program or may retain the funds to be used for future eligible programming (please see section 4 of the 2020 Guidelines). 

Please continue to submit next Gaming Account Summary Report to the branch as soon as possible following the organization’s fiscal year end.
PLEASE NOTE: You must include information about any cancellations/postponements and/or any re-direction of funding in section 9 of the report, as well as with any subsequent applications for Community Gaming Grant funding. 

Our organization has spent Community Gaming Grant funding on programming which has now been cancelled and we cannot recover these expenses. Are we required to re-pay this money to the program? 
No. You will NOT be required to pay back any expenses that you have already incurred as part of your approved application. You must include information about these expenses on the next Gaming Account Summary Report.

Will ministry staff be available for questions during this time?
Staff are available during regular business hours by phone and email. If you have questions, please email the Branch at: CommunityGamingGrants@gov.bc.ca. If you’d like to speak to a representative over the phone, please call the Branch during business hours at: 250-356-1081 or toll-free at 1-800-663-7867.

If you require further information or assistance, contact DPAC!

As many of you have heard in the local media this week, teachers and staff are being asked to return to school buildings in anticipation of gradual return of students. Please take some time to review the information on the links below.
Contact DPAC at DPAC@sd57learn.com anytime with your concerns.
Or email the District directly at COVID-19Questions@sd57.bc.ca.

Updates for the public regarding COVID-19 developments in the district are on a dedicated webpage: https://www.sd57.bc.ca/Pages/COVID19Updates.aspx#/=

Video Message from Anita Richardson, Superintendent of Schools (May 7) click YouTube link here.

CBC Daybreak North Interview with Anita Richardson (SD57) and Joanne Hapke (PGDTA) 11 minute podcast here.

On Wednesday May 6, the BC Government and Public Health Officer released the Restart Plan. The Ministry of Education released a Five Stage Approach. The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) has done a great job of interpreting the information and putting it in one place for parents. We encourage you to follow them on Facebook and check their website often for updates.
Here is the latest update on May 6 with links.

COVID-19 Update for K-12 Education – May 6
We’ve done a recap to ensure information is reaching all members.
Please read.

Today Premier John Horgan, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix provide an update on BC’s COVID-19 strategy.
Full details on the Restart Plan are found here: http://gov.bc.ca/covid19

The Go-Forward Management Strategy can be found here: https://bccpac.bc.ca/…/bc_covid-19_go-forward_management_st…

The Go-Forward Management Checklist can be found here: (see p9 re K-12) https://bccpac.bc.ca/…/go_forward_strategy_checklist_web.pdf

As part the plan, the province has outlined the Ministry of Education’s five stage approach to supporting students, families and staff. Here is the backgrounder -Scroll down to page 3 to see Education! https://bccpac.bc.ca/…/BG_Parks_and_Sites_and_In-Class_Lear…

Key Messages:
Phase 3 – June to September
IF transmission rates remain low or in decline, under enhanced protocols:
-Post-secondary education – with mix of online and in-class (September 2020)
-K-12 education – with only a partial return this school year (September 2020)
-Reopening our Schools
“As COVID-19 spread, governments everywhere took action to reduce in the classroom learning. For most British Columbians with young children, this meant having to stay at home to look after their kids. While many workplaces have made work-from-home accommodations, that hasn’t been an option for everyone. Our schools and educators rose to the challenge with online instruction and resources to keep our kids learning, but this placed a heavy burden on parents to support their kids as they learned at home. We know there is no substitute for in-class instruction — and an important step toward our recovery is getting kids back into the classroom, so parents can get back into the workplace. Initial health data indicates children are less affected than adults by the COVID-19 virus. Public health staff and officials will continue to review the health data. And the Ministry of Education and school divisions all around B.C. are reviewing options to allow for a safe return to school. An announcement on a phased approach to resuming in-class instruction will be made in the coming weeks. This will not be a return to normal. With weeks left in the school year, we anticipate many kids will not return to the classroom until September. But the Ministry is also exploring ways to safely get some kids back to school before the summer, to allow more parents to return to work. How these changes unfold are the focus of intensive discussion among Ministry of Education officials, school trustees, the BC Teachers’ Federation, CUPE, and other education sector partners.”

– For more information on protective measures that will be required of schools and post-secondary institutions, please refer to https://bccpac.bc.ca/…/bc_covid-19_go-forward_management_st…

Stay Tuned.

We hope you are all planning to join us on ZOOM tonight. Log in info is below. If you experience any issues, email DPAC@sd57learn.com.

Topic: DPAC Monthly Meeting
Time: May 4, 2020 06:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88348429010?pwd=S09XRE5GNitMZjJON3d0Mm90d0taQT09
Meeting ID: 883 4842 9010
Password: 013876

Another month is behind us and our May DPAC Meeting is rapidly approaching. Please plan to join us on Monday May 4 at 6:30pm on ZOOM.

Topic: DPAC Monthly Meeting
Time: May 4, 2020 06:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88348429010?pwd=S09XRE5GNitMZjJON3d0Mm90d0taQT09
Meeting ID: 883 4842 9010
Password: 013876

When signing in for the meeting, please enter your name in the following format: First Name Last Name – School you are representing

We imagine many are familiar with this format now, but we recommend that you find a quiet place to listen and participate, mute yourself or turn your video feed off if needed, and use the chat function to communicate with the Chair or any other members regarding meeting topics.

As always our Partner Group representatives will be there giving us valuable update on COVID-19, KRSS decision, Policies, and Budget.

“See” you there!
Your DPAC Executive Team

We have 23 PACs in School District 57 who are eligible to vote at the BCCPAC AGM this Saturday May 2 from 9:30-11:30am ONLINE. See the list here. Please ensure you are registered and have received the zoom information.

Here are some notes from our DPAC Chairperson Andrea Beckett:

• For PAC’s that are an active member of BCCPAC for this year one member of your PAC should have received a registration email link for the virtual BCCPAC AGM on May 2nd.
• If a member of your PAC executive has not received a email registration link for the BCCPAC AGM on May 2nd, please contact the BCCPAC immediately via phone at (604) 474-0524 and confirm which PAC executive member will be attending the AGM –  registration was due by April 24th so please contact BCCPAC immediately if no registration link was received.
• Only PAC’s who paid for their BCCPAC membership and are Active BCCPAC members would have gotten an registration link sent to one member of the executive (see https://www.bccpac.bc.ca/index.php/members/membership-list) 
• If the PAC’s have any concerns or issues please call BCCPAC first, but otherwise please also contact the DPAC if you require assistance.
• The BCCPAC AGM is May 2nd so this is an issue of utmost importance – please call BCCPAC at the number above if one member of your PAC’s executive did not get the link to register (the link was emailed out between April 6th and April 8th).

An email address is required when you register as a BCCPAC Member. This is the main email and contact name for your PAC which would have been used for the unique registration email.

Once you have registered, let us know at DPAC@sd57learn.com. DPAC will reimburse your $75 annual membership fee after your attendance at the AGM is confirmed.

Thank you for your involvement in our Provincial PARENT Voice!