February 2, 2021
Further Covid Update
Dear Families,
Thank you for your positive feedback on the video message I sent out earlier today.
As you may know, a small number of additional cases has been linked to the Grade 5 cohort. As a result Interior Health has recommended isolation of all students and teachers in this grade until the end of the day on Friday, February 12th.
The Interior Health Medical Officer has asked me to pass along the following directive:
Grade 5 students self-monitor for symptoms and seek COVID-19 testing if they feel unwell. To book an appointment please go HERE. If a grade 5 student develops symptoms, their sibling/s should stay home and not attend school until the test are confirmed negative.
Please find attached a letter from Dr. Silvina Mema, Interior Health Medical Officer, HERE.
Important Background Information:
We are supporting Interior Health Authority and are following the protocol established for these circumstances:
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The health authority has completed contact tracing to determine who in the school community was in contact with those who tested positive for COVID-19 while they were potentially infectious;
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From this, the health authority has determined who in the community was a close contact and required to self-isolate.
If you have not received an Interior Health letter they have determined that your child was not a direct contact to a positive case.
Please note that individual student isolation and/or class closure decisions for students and employees are made by Interior Health after a member of their Covid contact tracing team carries out a detailed investigation of the case.
When Interior Health investigates the potential exposure(s) of a positive case, they carefully review the school’s seating plans, student movement in class, classroom schedules within the learning group, teacher’s location and movement in class, locker set-up and location, recess and lunch activities and methods of transportation. They also review activities and contacts outside of the school.
The safety and well-being of our students, families and staff remains our highest priority. Please be assured that our school will continue to implement the strict protocols and procedures we have in place so that children can attend school as safely as possible.
More details about the Health Authority processes and our overall safety measures can be found in the attached document HERE.
Aberdeen Hall will be supporting all affected students with online learning during their time away from school.
I would ask that all families and students remember that this situation will be impactful to those directly involved. A calm, kind response without speculation and rumour, will help everybody move forward with as much support as possible.
Please remember that in this situation, the school is required to strictly follow the instructions of the health authority. We are rightly constrained by how much specific information we can release and we thank you for respecting this limitation.
We understand that this latest development may be a cause of anxiety for you or your family and we are here for you.
If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19, please call 811.
Sincerely,
Chris Grieve
Head of School
