The following Back to School update has been provided by the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC).  Please see the BCCPAC resource page for more information: https://www.bccpac.bc.ca/index.php/resources/21-advocacy/861-c19-updates Text from BCCPAC follows. ------------------ Our dedicated Board and CEO have been attending the Education Restart Steering Committee (and sub-committees) meetings and working diligently on your behalf to ensure the parent voice and perspective is heard and represented and to ensure equity, inclusion, health and safety, and educational programming remain at the forefront in the planning for the return to school in September. On August 26 there was a significant announcement which is due in great part to BCCPAC's continued quiet (yet persistent) diplomacy on behalf of members and families. Per the announcement, remote learning and flexible options are expected by the Minister by all school districts to those families who need it. It may look differently across different districts. On behalf of parents, President Sinclair thanks the ministry, and specifically Minister Fleming, for stating his clear expectations that all school districts will provide remote/online options for parents, while ensuring all children will have the opportunity to remain connected to their school community. This is the position BCCPAC has continuously been stating at the provincial tables since June. I thank Minister Fleming for his willingness to listen and to provide flexibility for families which is in the best interests of our children. Please read the full announcement AND the informative backgrounder: https://bccpac.bc.ca/images/Documents/Resources/MoE-Aug-26-Back-to-schoo... You can watch the recorded announcement from Minister Fleming (starts at 5min, runs to 17min when media ask questions): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgA314vw16Q&feature=youtu.be The Ministry also released a Technical Briefing which we are now sharing with you: https://www.bccpac.bc.ca/images/Documents/Resources/MoE-Aug-26-Back-to-s... Additionally the Back to School website which houses information for families was updated: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/covid-19-retu... We strongly recommend that parents/guardians/caregivers read their school district plans and these materials to gain a better understanding of how it will look in your district. We have posted all materials and information on our resource page: https://www.bccpac.bc.ca/index.php/resources/21-advocacy/861-c19-updates Learning Alternatives/Remote Learning The ministry understands that some families who for medical, health or other concerns, are looking for options. Minister Fleming has now set the expectation that school districts be flexible and work with families to provide remote options that keep children connected to their school community. The Minister has directed school districts to contact all families in their school communities to share their safety plans and to confirm if they are planning for their child to attend school classes in September, or if they need alternative learning options. The Ministry has given school districts the flexibility and funding certainty to find options that work for families. This includes the authority for all school boards to offer remote options to students within their districts, as well as the tools they need to increase their existing programs to meet demand. It is not based on demand but on need. If it's needed, it's to be provided. Parents can expect a call/email from their school district or school to find out if their child will attend in-class or will need alternative options. Flexibility will be key for a safe school restart and schools will work to support student needs. If you don't hear from your district or school in the coming days, it may be they don't have accurate contact details for you. Contact your school to provide updated information. School District Plans All 60 school districts have posted their current Restart Plans to their websites. These plans were submitted last week so they won't specifically address today's newly announced information. It's now likely that district plans will get updated. We strongly encourage families to read and review their District plans as they will inform individual school plans. Students with Diverse Abilities/Disabilities Per instructions from the Ministry to all school districts on August 10 the template states: “In alignment with the Equity and Inclusion Guiding Principles, describe how your district is planning for students with diverse abilities/disabilities ensuring students and communicating to parents on the following, to ensure students will: be able to attend school full time or have a plan to ensure supports and learning continue if a student needs to learn at home have access to the necessary health and safety supports continue to receive supports and services as identified in their IEP, including 1:1 supports not be grouped in segregated settings as a part of the establishment of cohorts”   There are more details in these documents: K-12 Health and Safety Guidelines: https://bccpac.bc.ca/images/Documents/Resources/k-12-covid-19-health-saf... K-12 Operational Guidelines: https://bccpac.bc.ca/images/Documents/Resources/K-12-Operational-Guideli... Students with Complex Medical Conditions Parents of students who are immune-compromised or have underlying medical conditions are encouraged to consult with their health care provider to determine their level of risk regarding return to school. Parents with children (or families) who are immuno compromised will receive accommodations and do not need to pull their child from in-class instruction/local school. There are more details in these documents: K-12 Health and Safety Guidelines: https://bccpac.bc.ca/images/Documents/Resources/k-12-covid-19-health-saf... K-12 Operational Guidelines: https://bccpac.bc.ca/images/Documents/Resources/K-12-Operational-Guideli... Cohorts and Learning Groups To maximize the number of students who can return to in-class instruction while also reducing the number of close, in-person interactions, the PHO has recommended the use of cohorts, or learning groups, for students and staff. This will reduce the number of people each student or staff member comes into contact with, thereby reducing the risk of transmission and ensuring quicker contact tracing by health authorities. Learning groups will be no more than 60 people in elementary and middle school and no more than 120 people in secondary school. Learning groups can be larger in secondary schools due to the increased ability of older children to be able to consistently minimize physical contact, practice hand hygiene, ensure physical distance where necessary and recognize and articulate symptoms of illness. Read more about Cohorts in doc from BCCDC: https://bccpac.bc.ca/images/Documents/Resources/covid-19_k-12_school_gui... See examples of Learning Groups in the Restart Framework Plan: https://bccpac.bc.ca/images/Documents/Resources/k-12-education-restart-p...