With students back in the classroom, Comox Valley schools say they’re prepared to close if too many students are missing school due to illness.
SD71 says they are monitoring the health data of students and will investigate higher than normal absences. They say this is around 10 per cent higher at average over historical data, but currently, absences are normal.
“So far daily absence rates due to illness have fluctuated between 2 per cent – 5 per cent, which is close to normal levels for this time of year,” said Tonia Frawley, Board Chair for Comox Valley Schools.
“The current state is extremely challenging, and we are committed to providing the safest environment for our students and staff, but we are also prepared if schools need to close for a variety of reasons.”
The district says if absences increase to abnormally high levels, letters will be sent home saying an Activity Signal has been met and more work with Island Health will determine the next steps.
A list of protocols is as follows:
Health Closure
Determined by school or health authority due to unusually high absence rates.
Functional Closure
If there is not enough staff to provide the required level of teaching, supervision, support, and or custodial care because of high staff absenteeism.
Transportation Closure
Schools remain open but student transportation to school cannot operate because of bus driver absenteeism.
The list can also be found on the school district website, here.
The district says they are taking extra precautions to keep students safe, and if anyone is feeling unwell they should not go to school.
