COVID-19 Updates
Return to School Plan
A Message from the GNS Leadership Team
Whether you are a new or returning GNS family, this Return to School Plan includes important information relating to the start of the 2020/2021 school year. This plan has been developed with care and attention to providing a safe, positive and engaging educational experience for each of our students. As you review this Return to School Plan, please note the following:
List of 7 items.
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We have followed guidelines set by the Ministry and are evidence-based
This plan is being shared with you after being submitted to the Ministry of Education in August 2020. It incorporates learning gained from our experiences in Spring 2020 Term and throughout the 2020/2021 school year, but also best practices shared by professionals. Staff work to ensure that our protocols and procedures meet those required by the Ministry and Public Health authorities. -
We are striving to maximize in-class instruction for all students
In-person learning is an essential part of a child’s education and provides the opportunity for peer engagement, which supports social and emotional development and overall wellness. Making use of Learning Group models, GNS is proud to be able to offer a structure which supports a return that prioritizes safety while providing access to full-time, five-day-a-week, in-person learning for our students. -
We are prepared to pivot to online or distributed learning options
The school is not authorized by the Ministry of Education to deliver Online or Distributed Learning options at this time. Self-directed learning may be used to supplement in-class instruction, if required. A shift to remote learning options may be authorised if the school is mandated to pivot to a different stage of the ministry’s Five Stage Framework. -
We are supportive of the use of Personal protective equipment in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained
In alignment with Provincial COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines for K-12 Settings, all employees, visitors, and students in Middle and Secondary School are required to wear non-medical masks. As such, we ask that all students Grades 4 to 12 and all staff arrive at school each day wearing masks. Non-medical masks are encouraged for JK to Grade 3 students; however, due to the increased likelihood they will touch their face and eyes, as well as require assistance to properly put on and take off their mask (requiring increased close personal contact from school staff) this may not work for all students in these younger years. All staff and students, including those in Junior School, will be required to wear masks on school buses or when exhibiting symptoms of illness. -
We are in this together - Self-screening Tool
To further empower our incredible parents and caregivers through this pandemic, we suggest you use the K-12 Daily Health Check website or download the iPhone/iPad iOS or Android devices app as it is an easy way to decide if your child should attend school based on their symptoms. We have also included a checklist to use for daily health screening of students before their arrival at school. This checklist also includes a link to the BC Centre for Disease Control COVID-19 screening tool to determine if COVID-19 testing is required. -
We must remain vigilant
Should students or staff have common-cold, influenza, or COVID-19 like symptoms they must stay home. It is expected that the individual be assessed by their health care provider and be tested for COVID-19. For symptomatic individuals who have NOT been tested (e.g., younger children who may be unable to manage the test, or those unwilling or unable to be tested), they must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the onset of symptoms AND until symptoms resolve. If a student or staff member is assessed by their family physician or nurse practitioner and it is determined that they do NOT have COVID-19, they may return to school when symptom free. When in doubt, contact 8-1-1 to discuss your situation and receive guidance. -
We will remain adaptive
We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to influence all that we do and that our protocols and procedures will need to be continuously reviewed to make sure they are kept current. Please revisit this section of our website to access digital content from the handbook and to see any new information and updates that might be added as things evolve.
Updates
List of 8 news stories.
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COVID-19 Update #7
We hope you are having a happy and safe Spring Break. -
Enhanced COVID-19 Guidelines
I would like to open this letter with a message of gratitude to all the members of our community who continue to work together as we navigate the pandemic. -
COVID-19 Update #6
The school’s winter break is about to begin and is typically a time we all look forward to enjoying a restful break and celebrating the holidays with friends and family. -
COVID-19 Update #5
Maintaining a healthy, safe and caring environment for our entire community continues to be our priority. -
COVID-19 Update #4
Thank you to all who supported our recent efforts to receive a variance permit from the City of Victoria -
COVID-19 Update #3
A reminder about what the communications process will look like in the event of a COVID-19 exposure at GNS. -
COVID-19 Update #2
Updates to the Sick Policy, Self-isolation and Quarantine section as well as to the Daily Health Screening Tool -
COVID-19 Update #1
It has been truly heartwarming to see all the happy students returning to our campuses this week…
Daily Health Check
This Daily Health Check Screening tool should be used by parents and caregivers to assess their children daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory diseases before sending them to school. If any child or staff member has symptoms they must not come to the school.
