As we head into the last two weeks of summer, I hope members have been enjoying time with family and staying safe.

The deadline for districts to provide their safety plans to the government was August 21. All locals should have a copy of the safety plans for their district.

According to the K-12 Education Restart Plan, the Ministry will review all plans and confirm school district approaches. School districts and schools are expected to post final versions of plans online on August 26.

In solidarity and safety,

Warren Williams
K-12 Presidents Council President

Health and safety

27. What are PPE requirements for first aid attendants?
28. Why aren’t non-medical masks recommended to be worn in schools at all times?
29. Will there be a tracking system in place for visitors to schools?

Learning groups

30. How does physical distancing work in learning groups?

Other

31. Can we get a breakdown of how the $45.6 million for K-12 will be allocated?

View PDF.

Please note that responses to questions 11, 12, 14 and 18 have been updated to reflect updated information in the Provincial COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines as of August 17, 2020. Links to current documents are provided at the end of the questions listed on the home page.

BURNABY – Today’s announcement from the federal government extending economic assistance to Canadians makes some important first steps toward a national sick leave plan for workers, and provides some degree of comfort to working people that there will be up to two weeks of federal economic assistance if they are forced to self-isolate and are unable to work from home. While many questions remain unanswered, it’s an improvement on the current situation. CUPE will be providing more information and details as we receive them.

To learn more about how the federal government could—and should—improve economic supports for workers during the pandemic, read this important news release from CUPE National.

School districts have received updated operational guidelines for K-12. Updates include mandatory masks for staff and students in middle and high schools in high traffic areas such as buses and common areas (hallways) or anytime outside their learning group whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained. The guidelines also include increased cleaning of high contact surfaces, increased hand hygiene and installation of transparent barriers where appropriate.

The updated guidelines can be found here.

Schools will re-open on September 8–11, with days in place for support staff and others in the school to familiarize themselves with procedures before students start back.

New health and safety measures need to be put in place. Districts must submit safety plans to government by August 21. Locals should be meeting with districts now to give input on plans.

The restart steering committee continues to meet throughout the summer.

In solidarity and safety,

Warren Williams
K-12 Presidents Council President

Find all FAQs at bcschools.cupe.ca

Health and safety

On July 22, 2020 the WorkSafeBC board of directors passed the changes adding a presumption for communicable viral pathogens to the Workers Compensation Act. Bill 23 was made law on August 14.

21.  What does a “presumption” of workplace causation mean?

22.  What exactly is changing?

23.  Will members who contract COVID-19 at work have access to Workers Compensation?

24.  Do districts have to follow provincial standards for cleaning or the guidelines from the PHO?

25.  What are the protocols for the public and others coming into schools?

Other

26.  Is the K-12 Presidents Council working with teachers to support each other and increase our abili­ty to work safely and effectively?

View PDF.