Monday: Aristocats Rehearsals throughout the week
Tuesday: Drumming Circle at Recess
Wednesday: PAC Hot Lunch
Thursday: Regular Day
Friday: Last Day before Spring Break
Hike-a-thon Kick Off – Thursday, March 12th at 12:50 pm
We will be gathering on our main field to kick off fundraising efforts for our annual Rogers Hike-a-thon! Some of the monies raised will be going to purchase silent bikes for the classroom. Research indicates that some children struggle with self-regulation, focus and impulsivity. Dr. Shanker, a professor at York University in Toronto, states “stationary bikes have a profound self-regulating effect for a great many children, but especially those children that are very restless and those that have problems with sustained attention and heightened impulsivity”.
Office of the Superintendent
School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) 556 Boleskine Road, Victoria, BC V8Z 1E8 Phone (250) 475-4162 Fax (250) 475-4112
Shelley Green – Superintendent
March 6, 2020
Dear GVSD Parents and Guardians:
RE: COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) update
The Province announced eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19 yesterday, for a total of 21 in the province. Six of the new cases were linked to travel (or are close contacts of people who had travelled) to Iran. One case is a visitor from Seattle, Washington. One person was a community case on the Lower Mainland with no international travel.
Please see joint statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0062-000393
What does this mean for schools?
There are many considerations the school district is taking to ensure the health and safety of students and staff. Following direction from the Ministry and public health officials, the School District is increasing cleaning and hand hygiene to help prevent the transmission of viruses. Efforts are being put in place to daily clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces. This includes desktops, chair backs, table tops, light switches, door knobs, handrails, water fountains and washrooms.
To help prevent the spread of viruses, we are also asking families to practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Follow these steps as you would the common cold or flu:
- Proper hand-washing for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
- Alcohol-based hand rubs to clean hands if they are not visibly soiled.
- Do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow.
For additional information please review reference links at the end of the letter.
How does COVID-19 affect travel plans?
The public health officer advises COVID-19 is currently found in 80 countries and people should carefully assess and have a low tolerance for international travel. The PHO also advises people with underlying health issues should reconsider trips at this time.
We are aware of emerging concerns regarding coronavirus and student travel. Our School District continues to closely monitor travel advisories and has recently cancelled some schools trips over the spring break due to level three travel advisories in some regions and other concerns.
The safety of our children is always paramount of all other considerations.
If you return from travel and do not feel well. It is advised you stay home when you are sick.
School Closures
Any consideration of school closures would be determined by public health officials in consultation with the Ministry of Education, school districts and schools and would be specific to any impacted school. There are plans in place for those kinds of measures should they become necessary.
For more information on COVID-19:
- Mar. 6, Province activates advance COVID-19 response to protect British Columbians:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0012-000404
- KIDS and COVID-19 QA: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)#For–schools–and–childcare
- CBC Kids along with the PHO produced a kid-centric Q and A video about COVID-19: https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/watch-coronavirus-facts-versus-fiction
- Mar. 4, joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0060-000380
- Mar. 3, PM joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0058-000370
- Mar. 3, AM joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0056-000365
- Mar. 2, joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0054-000361
- Feb. 25, joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0048-000330
- Feb. 24, joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0043-000320
- Feb. 20 joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0041-000304
- Feb. 19 joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0039-000294
- Feb. 14 joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0036-000284
- Feb. 6 joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0025-000236
- Feb. 4 joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0023-000222
- Feb. 3 joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer – https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0020-000210
- Ministry of Health response plans – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/pandemic-influenza
- Novel Coronavirus Q&A from HealthLinkBC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus
- BC Centre for Disease Control: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
- Government of Canada – Novel Coronavirus in China Travel Health Notice: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/210
For past provincial updates, GVSD has posted links to the health announcements on the district’s website: www.sd61.bc.ca
If at any point, you have health concerns, please call your healthcare provider at 8-1-1.
Sincerely,
Shelley Green
Superintendent of Schools
2020-21 Regular Program Bussing/BC Transit
The deadline for 2020-21 Regular Program Bussing/BC Transit Passes is approaching: March 13, 2020 (5:00 pm close)
Parents can access the application forms and get further information on eligibility on the Transportation webpage:
Please ensure any eligible new/transitioning students have the application information. Regular Program Schools serviced: Esquimalt, Spectrum, Colquitz, Shoreline, Eagle View, View Royal.
- Due to the catchment changes, we will have a new route servicing students living in the Thetis Vale area to their new catchment schools of Colquitz and Spectrum.
- Some students at schools not listed above could be eligible for BC Transit passes if they are attending their English catchment school, reside over 4 km from the school, and are not eligible for a free Victoria City pass. Those parents should email Transportation@sd61.bc.ca first before applying on-line.
Students who move into the district/catchment after the March 13 deadline are to contact Transportation directly to apply: Transportation@sd61.bc.ca
DAY LIGHT SAVINGS
A reminder to set your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday March 8th.
SPRING BREAK 2020
There is no school from Monday, March 16th to Friday, March 27th.
School is back in session on Monday, March 30th.
Have an enjoyable break!
UPCOMING EVENTS at ROGERS:
March 8 – Daylight Savings Begins (set your clocks ahead 1 hour)
March 11 – PAC Hot Lunch
March 14-29 – Spring Break (school not in session)
March 30 – First day back after Spring Break
April 10 – 13 – Easter Break (school not in session)
April 16 – PAC Hot Lunch
April 22 – Student Led Conferences (early dismissal)