Dear Parents / Guardians,

Welcome back and Happy New Year!  It’s nice to see the calendar change to 2021 with the optimism that a new year brings.  We are looking forward to continuing to bring a responsive educational experience to your children as we adjust to any new requirements surrounding COVID-19 including any new guidelines from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Island Health, or the Ministry of Education.

As a reminder, here are a few items for your attention as we settle back into a regular school routine:

1. If your child is sick please keep them at home until they are feeling better.
2. Your child must complete a daily health check before they come to school.  Symptoms to look for include: fever; chills; cough or worsening chronic cough; shortness of breath; loss of sense of smell or taste; diarrhea or nausea/vomiting.  You can find more information about health checks and provincial resources on the BCCDC website: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19 
3. All visitors to schools must sign-in indicating that they do not have any of the above symptoms.
4. If your child has travelled internationally over the break they must quarantine for 14 days before returning to school.  This is a federal government requirement: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/travel-affected-by-covid-19?keyword=covid&keyword=travel&keyword=quarantine#interprovincial 

As the PHO reviews more information, we expect that there will be refinements to any orders and guidelines for schools.  We will continue to share pertinent information which affects our schools as it becomes available.  Current updates can be found on our district website.  

As we navigate these new waters we will continue to take Dr. Henry’s words to heart to “Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe”.  Wishing all of you a wonderful 2021.

Respectfully,

Dave Eberwein
Superintendent & CEO, Saanich Schools

Please find the attached message from our new Minister of Education, the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside.  

Sincerely,
Dave Eberwein
Superintendent & CEO, Saanich Schools

To all our staff, parents and community,

As 2020 draws to a close, schools in Saanich are about to embark on the winter break and it gives me, on behalf of your Board of Education, the opportunity to express, with humility and respect, our gratitude for and confidence in all your efforts, and to offer best wishes for a relaxing and restorative holiday. 

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Here we are in December almost 4 months into the new school year.  It has certainly been a roller-coaster ride for everyone in our school system.  I want to thank parents and guardians for your continuing support as we navigate the changing landscape in our schools and communities.  Our strength is our resolve to find solutions when presented with the challenges before us and the amazing spirit of cooperation we have in our district.   I am writing to you today to provide you with an update on a number of district items:

Health & Safety

We continue to follow the recommendations from Dr. Bonnie Henry and her team at the Provincial Health Office (PHO) who work in conjunction with the BC Centre for Disease Control.  Our schools have enhanced safety protocols in place that include extensive cleaning and other safety measures such as hand-washing stations, mask protocols and student cohorts.  Our schools are some of the most controlled environments in the province and continue to be safe places to work and learn.  You can find more information about the latest information and guidelines at the following websites:

• BC’s Back to School Plan (updated Nov 30, 2020): https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/covid-19-return-to-school 
• Provincial Health Officer (Dr. Bonnie Henry) Orders: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus 

Communication Protocols

We will continue to keep parents and guardians informed in a timely manner on any significant updates with our school operations.  This will include things such as school schedules, any operational changes that may be required, as well as any Island Health notifications that need to be sent home.  Island Health remains the regional authority on all medical issues related to COVID-19 and will direct the school district should there be an exposure in a school.  We will work to ensure that this communication is efficient and transparent. 

Winter Break (Dec 21st – Jan 1st)

At this time, there is no indication that the provincial government is planning to extend the upcoming Winter Break.  This would be a provincial decision and not one controlled by the school district.  The decision would come from either the PHO or the Ministry of Education.  

The Holiday Season

This will be a very different holiday season for most families in our community.  It is normally a time for gathering and celebrating.  And while that may look quite different this year it can also be a time of rejuvenation and renewal.  I know from visiting schools and speaking with students, staff and parents there is a need for some time to recharge.  I want to take this time to wish everyone a wonderful upcoming holiday season – one that is filled with love and reconnection, however that might look.  I have posted a new blog entry on my professional blog The Power of Why and hope that you may take a few minutes to read it:  ‘Tis the Season for Hope

Season’s Greetings,

Dave Eberwein
Superintendent & CEO, Saanich Schools

Following the completion of a catchment boundary review with community consultation, on November 18, 2020, the Board of Education approved the implementation of the following catchment boundary changes for the 2021/22 school year:

• move study areas A1 and A2 to the Lochside Elementary catchment;
• move study area C to the Brentwood Elementary catchment;
• move study area D to the Cordova Bay Elementary catchment; and
• move study area E to the Lochside Elementary catchment.

More information regarding the study areas and the catchment boundary review can be found in the attached materials. For additional information, enquiries can be sent to  .

Parkland Track 2021 is a community lead initiative to replace the running track at Parkland Secondary, which is at the end of its life, with a new 8 lane track and soccer field. For more information on this initiative to create a competition quality athletics facility for the community, please visit https://www.parklandtrack2021.com/.