Communicable Disease Information

COmmunicable disease FAQs


Am I responsible for providing homework for a student who is not attending? 


No. This District has clearly expressed this is not expected. You can send a brief email outlining current classroom themes and topics of study, a link to the BC Curriculum and the link to the District Continuity of Learning resource page.  

 

 

Can I share information with my class about a communicable disease exposure? 


Your personal medical information is yours to share if you wish to do so. (See the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Section 2) Protecting student privacy is our responsibility. If a parent in your class indicates that they want you to share information about their child’s communicable disease status and exposure dates, you can do so. Clarify if the parent wants you to keep the child’s name confidential. We advise you inform your principal that you will be sharing this information as instructed by the child’s parent. If you receive any direction not to do so, please contact the GVTA office.  

 

I’m confused about when to stay home or when my students should stay home. 


Things are changing so fast and information from press conferences can sometimes contradict the printed guidelines. Bookmark the Daily Health Check for Staff. It has information about when to stay home, when to self-monitor and when to self-isolate. The Daily Health Check for Parents outlines the requirements for students. More comprehensive advice is in the SD61 Communicable Disease Prevention Plan.  

 

I contracted a communicable disease, such as COVID. What do I do? 


If you are on contract, first book your absence using your sick days. If you have fewer than 10 sick days, apply for short term benefits through the BCTF Salary Indemnity Plan. 

 

 

I have to stay home with my child. What do I do?

 

First use your 3 paid Family Emergency Days. Next use your 4 Critical Illness Days. After that, you can use 5 unpaid Family Responsibility Leave days. Contact the GVTA office, or your staff rep, for more information.  

 

What about the Vaccine Status Disclosure in the news? 


This will be enforced in Local Health Authorities at the discretion of regional Medical Health Officers, not applied province-wide. We do not have further information at this time about whether VIHA will be implementing it.


Communicable Disease Guidelines 

Protocols for K-12 Schools:

Current:

Additional Resources: