Dear Parents,
You may have some questions surrounding the COVID-19 procedures from the Government and Fraser Health level. I hope that this will help to clarify.
Why is COVID-19 testing so important?
It is important for anyone who has symptoms, even mild ones to get tested. A negative test result gives a piece of mind that a person is healthy and can return to school.
A positive test result allows for Fraser Health to begin contact tracing and inform a school community of exposures. This lets others know to self-monitor for symptoms. Essentially, the spread of the virus can be contained.
If a person does not go for testing when they are experiencing symptoms, they put the whole community at risk.
Why can’t the school inform others of a case or who it is?
A person is not required to inform others regarding a case of COVID-19 or any other illness/disease. Their health is always considered to be confidential.
Even if the person tells the school about a positive test result, the school cannot share this information with the community. Again, there are privacy laws.
Therefore, once a person tests positive for COVID-19, Fraser Health takes over:
1. FH contacts them directly and contact tracing begins.
2. Through their investigation, FH determines if others may have been exposed to COVID-19.
3. FH may determine that others have not been exposed to COVID-19. This depends on the day that is determined by FH where the person was first contagious. For example, if they were deemed first contagious on a Saturday and never attended school the next week, their illness would not have affected the school and the school would not be notified.
4. If FH determines that there has been an exposure, then the school is notified and the community is informed via letters.
Why can’t the school move to on-line learning?
Our school is instructed as to what needs to happen by FH. The Ministry of Education and PHO have determined that schools are safe and are to remain open. We must follow the orders and instructions.
But other schools were able to move to on-line learning?
Every investigation is unique. It depends on what the contract tracing determines. We must follow the orders and instructions as given to us.
Once again, let us continue to pray for those who are dealing with COVID-19, for a quick vaccination release process and an end of this pandemic.
Take care,
J. Sandberg
Principal
SPRING UNIFORM
Spring uniform begins on Monday, May 3rd.
CONSIGNMENT SALE
There will be a virtual consignment sale next week. More information will be sent home by Friday. If you have any uniform items to sell, please drop them off at the school, outside the front doors, with the attached form. Items must be from Cambridge Uniforms, clean and free from stains.
Yearbook front and back cover competition
Open to all students. Here is a chance to have your artwork featured on the QAS 2020/2021 yearbook. Please draw a picture on a letter size paper depicting the theme ‘Walk with Jesus our Living Hope.’ Please submit your drawing with your name to the school office by Friday May 14th.
Tru Earth Fundraiser
The QAS PAC are pleased to announce our newest ongoing fundraiser in support of Earth Day…. Tru Earth Laundry Strips. Reduce waste and reduce the number of plastic jugs going back into the environment. All while supporting our school and a local business. Lots of wins with this one. Your laundry strips will be mailed directly to your home in a biodegradable envelope. https://fundraising.tru.earth/qasbc
Thank-you
School Office