Illness

Staff, students, and all visitors are responsible for completing a health awareness check on themselves or on their child before entering any of our schools, sites, or events.

Completing a health check before coming to school ensures that you or your child are not experiencing symptoms that would limit participation in regular activities or contribute to the spread of communicable diseases in the school setting.

  • Staff, students, or other persons in the school setting who are exhibiting symptoms of illness, such as respiratory illness, should stay home until they are well enough to participate in regular activities or otherwise advised by a healthcare provider. 
  • Those experiencing certain illnesses, such as gastrointestinal illness caused by norovirus, may be advised to stay home for longer (BC CDC, Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools, Sept. 13, 2023).
  • Staff, children or other persons can attend school if their symptoms are consistent with a previously diagnosed health condition (e.g., seasonal allergies) or symptoms have improved, and they feel well enough to return to regular activities.
  • If you are unsure or concerned about your symptoms, connect with your health care provider or call 8-1-1 (BC CDC, Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools, Sept. 13, 2023).
  • If your child develops symptoms while at school. The school will contact the parent/guardian and advise them to pick up their child as soon as possible.

If your child will be staying home from school, please follow their school's absence-reporting procedure. 

Communications and Protecting Personal Privacy

Decisions about if, when and how to communicate communicable disease activity are made by , not by schools or the school district.

Personal Practices

Families can reinforce healthy habits, including:

  • Coughing or sneezing into their elbow or a tissue. Dispose of used tissues immediately and wash hands right away.

  • Avoiding touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Not sharing food, drinks, or utensils.