BCCPAC Provides COVID-19 Info for Families
The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) has provided the following COVID-19 information for Families. Please see below for links to COVID-19 information for parents/guardians/caregivers, as well as links to learning resources such as Keep Learning BC. The message and information from BCCPAC follows below.
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BCCPAC Information Update for Parents/Guardians
We are truly appreciative of the united effort that is being undertaken across the education sector resulting in the continuity of an educational program while our children are at home. As parents, we understand that alternative instruction plans are being created to best meet the needs of children and that learning will vary by grade, district and region. As we try to maintain a daily routine in our homes, including academics and recreation, parents acknowledge that educators play a critical role supporting our children during this extraordinary time.
Staff at the district and school level are working together on developing plans for the continuity of learning of your children. Districts will provide information to parents directly once they have finalized their plans. Many of you may have already received an update by email (from your school district and/or school and/or teacher(s)) or requests for information via surveys etc. Watch for these and respond quickly to aid your school district in their planning for your benefit.
Ministry Released Information
On March 27, on behalf of BCCPAC, President Sinclair released a joint letter with the Minister of Education, Hon Rob Fleming. Additionally on Friday, there was a media release to address concerns about the continuity of learning. On March 25, the Ministry released an FAQ document for parents/guardians to address the many questions as March Break was coming to a close. Please take the time to review and read these documents.
Where to Find Information
We have put all the K-12/COVID-19 information for parents/guardians/caregivers in one place on our website, https://bccpac.bc.ca/index.php/resources/21-advocacy/861-c19-updates , and we are committed to updating it regularly. It includes documents which have been translated and all details shared with families. We encourage you to bookmark it, read it and share it.
While teachers and schools have primary responsibility for continuous learning, the government has launched “Keep Learning BC”. This is a central place where families can find ideas for everyday educational activities, annotated links to free learning resources, as well as how to help children learn and how to ensure their well-being while they are at home. Keep Learning is available at: www.openschool.bc.ca/keeplearning/ .
The Keep Learning page has four icons on the bottom with popup pages with detailed information. The page contains helpful guides to maintain routines and stay safe online, giving parents information about how talk to their children about COVID-19, along with other mental health resources to manage stress or anxiety.
Students, parents, guardians and teachers can also find learning resources and accurate, timely information about schools, programs and educational services, including regularly updated frequently asked questions at www.gov.bc.ca/SafeSchools/ .
Please remember:
The coming few weeks will not be what you expect and you should not expect it to look just like in-class instruction prior to March Break
Continuity of instruction and learning will look very different for your children, varying by region, by district, by school and by grade level
Instruction will not just flip over 100% to online - it may be part of many students continued learning but don't assume it’s the 100% replacement to in-class instruction
Change is difficult but change doesn't equate to bad or less
Don't speculate, jump to conclusions or make assumptions - Rely on factual information from trusted sources
There will be more questions that need answers as we move forward together – please know that discussions and the sharing of information continues throughout the sector.
Together we will make this work.
Updated:
Thursday, November 4, 2021