March 31, 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Under the direction of the office of the Provincial Health Officer, mask guidelines for students from grades 4 to 12 and all K-12 staff are being strengthened as COVID-19 cases rise across the province.
Effective immediately all K-12 staff and all students in grades 4 to 12 are required to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including when they are at their work stations (desks), and on school buses—both within and outside of their learning group.
Exceptions include:
• A person who is unable to wear a mask because they do not tolerate it (for health or behavioural reasons);
• A person unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person;
• If the mask is removed temporarily for the purposes of identifying the person wearing it;
• If the mask is removed temporarily to engage in an educational activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask (e.g. actively playing a wind instrument, high-intensity physical activity, etc.);
• If a person is eating or drinking;
• If a person is behind a barrier;
• While providing a service to a person with a disability or diverse ability (including but not limited to a hearing impairment), where visual cues, facial expressions and/or lip reading/movements are important.
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 are strongly encouraged to wear a mask indoors in schools and on school buses–both within and outside of their learning group–though mask wearing ultimately remains a personal or family/caregiver choice for these students, and their choices must be respected.
At this time, I would also like to remind everyone to complete their daily health check. We all have an important role to play in keeping our schools safe. If you or your child are not feeling well, stay home.
School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) 556 Boleskine Road, Victoria, BC V8Z 1E8 Phone (250) 475-4162 Fax (250) 475-4112
Shelley Green – Superintendent
Office of the
Superintendent
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