The Richmond School District is asking essential services workers to let them know if they need care for their children starting next week, but they are encouraging parents to find alternative care if at all possible.
The provincial government has mandated school districts make sure any Grade K-7 students of essential workers are cared for even though in-class instruction has been suspended because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Having some children off-site, however, will allow the school district to maintain health and safety protocols put in place by the provincial medical health officer, according to a statement put out by the school district on Friday afternoon. The school district might need to prioritize care based on the status of essential workers – this will depend on available resources.
Health care and emergency responders are considered top priority, followed by those working with vulnerable people, then teachers and child-care workers who don’t have access to child care and, finally, “any other occupations on the expanded (Emergency Management BC) list where there is demonstrated community need for care.”
While the school district will be caring for children of essential workers, other students will not be attending school.
However, the ministry has told school districts there needs to be continuity of learning and Grade 12 students should be on track to graduate this year.
Richmond school superintendent Scott Robinson said it’s expected that learning will relaunch the week of April 7, but that teachers will be reaching out to families by the end of next week either by phone or some electronic means.
“(Learning) opportunities will vary from class to class - some may be online and some may be offered through other means,” Robinson said in a letter to parents. “Teachers will make these decisions based on available resources, access to technology and what they believe to be in the best interests of their students.”
The ministry is expecting students to have learning opportunities in place by mid April.
The province is urging essential frontline health-care works, directly involved in patient care who need care for their school-aged children next week to contact the school principal to discuss care arrangements.
Other essential care workers with school-aged children will be hearing about care options by next Friday.
The Child Care Resource and Referral Centre (CCRRC) will be compiling a list of child-care facilities that are still open and of those providing emergency child care to health care and other essential workers. For more information, email childcare@rcrg.org.
Essential service workers who need on-site support for their children are asked to fill out a form by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. Go to sd38.bc.ca to find the form.
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