VSB COVID update
Today, parents received the below letter from the Ministry of Education following the provincial government’s announcement to suspend in-class learning in BC’s schools.
Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff:
The health and safety of our students, staff and their families is our highest priority.
The global pandemic COVID-19 is moving quickly and its impact on British Columbians is growing.
We have followed the direction – daily – of public health officials and scientists in making factbased decisions when it comes to B.C.’s school system.
Today, under the direction of the Provincial Health Officer we are directing all schools to immediately suspend in-class instruction until further notice.
While classroom lessons are suspended it is expected that schools will implement a variety of measures to ensure continued learning for students.
We are urging teachers, principals, school districts and independent school authorities to begin planning now to ensure continuity of learning and I have tasked Ministry of Education staff to work with our education partners to coordinate these initiatives.
We expect school districts and independent schools will develop plans to maintain some level of service for children of people who are performing essential services across our province – like medical health professionals, first responders, pharmacists and critical infrastructure workers.
We also know there are vulnerable students who have unique needs; important services like school meal programs, and child care services operating on school grounds that need to be addressed. We expect schools to consider these issues in their planning while we work together through these extraordinary times.
Every student will receive a final mark, and all students on track to move to the next grade will do so in the fall. For grades 10 and 11 students, graduation assessments will be postponed.
Every student eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate. The only graduation assessment required for current Grade 12 students is the Grade 10 numeracy assessment. The Ministry of Education will ensure Grade 12 students who have not yet completed this assessment and who are otherwise on track to graduate are able to meet this graduation requirement.
The ministry will also work with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training and with post-secondary institutions on admissions and the smooth transition of graduating students in this extra-ordinary year.
We will continue to work in consultation with our education partners as we plan for ongoing learning, including frequent contact with school districts to ensure we work through this together as plans are developed.
This is a very challenging time in B.C. and around the world. Please take necessary preventative measures to keep you and your families healthy. If you think you have symptoms the Ministry of Health has developed an online self-assessment tool at covid19.thrive.health. If you do have symptoms you can call 8-1-1 to pre-arrange health testing. While symptomatic, self-isolate.
The province has a launched a new non-medical information line for British Columbians who have questions about COVID-19: 1-888-COVID19. Phone lines are open 7 days a week from 7:30 AM to 8 PM, and information is available in more than 110 languages.
These measures are temporary. But we must act together and act now to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Rob Fleming
Minister |
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While our regular fundraising programs are suspended, our direct donation campaign is still open and donations can still be made online. Funds donated during this school year will be used in 2020-21, and we aim to be able to support our school and teachers as planned next year. Please see the information below for details on how to donate, and thank you for your
support.
 Last year, the Direct Donation campaign helped Southlands deliver new programs and upgraded services to our entire student community that were outside of the VSB funding. These included New Laptops, Artist in Residence Music teachers, Arts performances, and Body Science Program.
This year, we are seeking to raise $22,000 to fund our basic budgetary demands and enrichment programs that help our children learn and develop the IB Primary Years Program Essential elements: Learner Profile; Transdisciplinary Themes; Concepts, Attitudes; Approaches to Learning and Action. The money raised in this campaign will be used to purchase the following items in the 2020-21 school year:
- Technology - Laptops for lower intermediate grades $10,000
- Classroom Funds $5,000
- Artist in Residence - for in-class arts programming $5,000
- Water bottle filling station $2,000
- Repainting basketball court $1,000
How to donate:
- Go to http://vsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/1869/196/false/true
- If you do not have a school cash online account, you need to “click here to register now”
- Choose from a list of donation amounts, or enter a specific amount
- In the Fund Destination drop down menu select option “E - Southlands PAC” (do NOT select “E - Southlands”)
- In the “Message” field please write one of the items from the Fundraising Goals list on the previous page of this notice, or write “2020 Direct Donation campaign”.
- Click “add to cart”
- Once payment is complete, you will receive a tax receipt via email.
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Thank you to the families who have joined our FlipGive team! We have already earned $224 for Southlands programs. We encourage others to join the team using code FRJ3Z5.
Use the FlipGive app or browser plugin before shopping online at stores like Starbucks, Amazon, Sportchek, Nike, Bay, The Gap, Indigo, etc. and you will be ensuring a percentage of your purchase gets credited to Southlands programs. There is even a way to shop in-store and get the same benefit! |
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