Dear Richmond Families,
As you are likely aware, on March 10th the Provincial Health Officer updated the Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings. One of the changes to the guidelines was that masks will no longer be required for students, staff and visitors when schools return from their spring break. For the Richmond School District, this means that masks will become optional starting Monday, March 28th, and the decision to wear a mask or face covering will become a personal choice for everyone in our schools. We understand that people hold a variety of perspectives on the topic of wearing masks, however it is the hope and expectation of the Richmond School District that people's personal choice will be respected by all members of our school communities.
Please note that we all continue to have shared responsibility (staff, students, and families) to maintain and promote safe and healthy schools. In accordance with the updated provincial guidelines, all schools will continue to employ communicable disease measures to support a safe school environment and all schools will continue to adhere to the standards, guidelines, and protocols from the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Ministry of Education. Important personal health measures that continue to be employed include:
- Complete daily health check and stay home when ill
- Hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene are important throughout the day
- Vaccination is recommended for everyone who is eligible
- Respect personal space as much as possible
As we navigate this next phase of the pandemic, I would like to thank Richmond School District staff and families for your ongoing efforts to maintain a safe, healthy and respectful environment in our schools. It has been a long two years and despite the many challenges that we have all faced together, we have managed to continue to provide a safe and caring learning environment for the children and youth of Richmond. It is my sincere hope that we can continue to model the importance of kindness, safety and respect as we move forward.
If, after reviewing the updated Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your school principal.
Sincerely,
Scott Robinson
Superintendent of Schools