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Westmont’s COVID Plan

Westmont is excited to welcome in the 2021/2022 school year. Our plans to deal with the ongoing COVID pandemic align with direction from the Ministry of Education and Public Health Office. As updated guidelines are provided by both agencies, Westmont will adjust to meet the changes.

Health & Safety

Under guidance from the provincial government, Provincial Health Officer, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and our local health authority, Westmont will implement the following health and safety measures to ensure the safety of our staff and students:

  • Frequent hand washing, including the continued use of outdoor sinks prior to entering the building
  • Available sanitization stations at all classrooms and building entrances
  • Reduced access to our buildings at pick-up and drop-off, as well as contact tracing sign-in sheets for all school spaces.
  • Mandatory masks to be worn by students in Grades 4-12, all K-12 staff. We also encourage students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 to also wear a mask if possible. Exceptions will be made for people who cannot wear masks for medical or behavioural reasons
  • Floor markings and/or signage to address traffic flow
  • Trust in parents, students, and staff to stay home if they feel ill

Programs

Westmont will continue to operate with in-class instruction for all students. For students who may be at home temporarily due to illness for a short duration, we continue to offer at-home learning support. The following guidelines apply to our programs.

Early Years
Preschool-Kindergarten

  • Monday-Friday, regular school hours
  • 100% in-class instruction
  • Controlled traffic flow throughout the school

Lower Elementary
Grade 1 – Grade 3

  • Monday-Friday, regular school hours
  • 100% in-class instruction
  • Controlled traffic flow throughout the school
  • Masks are encouraged to be worn by students, and are required for all staff. Exceptions will be made for people who cannot wear masks for medical or behavioural reasons.

Upper Elementary
Grade 4 – Grade 6

  • Monday-Friday, regular school hours
  • 100% in-class instruction
  • Controlled traffic flow throughout the school
  • Masks are required indoors for students, and for all staff. Exceptions will be made for people who cannot wear masks for medical or behavioural reasons.

Middle
Grades 7 – 8

  • Monday-Friday, regular school hours
  • 100% in-class instruction
  • Controlled traffic flow throughout the school
  • Masks are required indoors for students, and for all staff. Exceptions will be made for people who cannot wear masks for medical or behavioural reasons

Secondary
Grades 9-12

  • Monday-Friday, regular school hours
  • 100% in-class instruction
  • Controlled traffic flow throughout the school
  • Masks are required indoors for students, and for all staff. Exceptions will be made for people who cannot wear masks for medical or behavioural reasons

Inclusive Education Services

All students with disabilities or diverse abilities who need extra support in school will continue to have full-time access to in-class instruction and the supports and services they are eligible to receive.

Complex Medical Conditions

Parents/guardians of children with complex medical conditions or underlying risk factors should consult with their healthcare provider to determine their child’s level of risk regarding returning to school. Subsequently, parents/guardians may wish to reach out to the principal or support teacher (case manager) of their current school to discuss available options and support.

Provincial Government Information

In September, all schools opened in Stage 2. Here’s an overview from the provincial government: What to Expect in Stage 2. See BC’s Back to School Plan for complete details.

We take all direction from the Provincial Health Office, BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and WorkSafeBC (WSBC)

BC Government: COVID-19 Safe Schools

BCCDC: Cleaning and Disinfectants for Public Settings

WSBC: Protocols for K-12 Education

COVID‑19 Operational Guidelines for School Districts and Independent School Authorities

Magnus Hanton,

Head of School

Key Health and Safety Initiatives

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Extensive outdoor learning environment including outdoor classrooms, large playing field, learning garden, direct access to a vast array of trails as well as the forest and beach in Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park

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State-of-the-art electrostatic cleaning of surfaces and materials in the classroom

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Online wellness check system for parents

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Separate sick room for students who fall ill during the day

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Limited access to buildings for guests

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Hand washing stations outside of the building

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Hand sanitizing stations outside every exterior entrance and every classroom entrance

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Separate entrances/exits for all cohort groups

For a complete copy of Westmont’s 2020 Health and Safety Policies, please contact the school.

Westmont’s Pandemic Response Team

Westmont has assembled a strong Pandemic Response Team to assess the latest COVID information and to guide our community. The Team’s focus is on health and supporting our families while keeping our school strong. We are lucky to have the time, experience and energy of this diverse group that includes health care, education, finance, legal, engineering, and entrepreneurs.

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