BMC COVID Update #4

November 6, 2020 → 1:00 PM

Dear Parents and Students, 

BMCS, WRPS, and Alberta Health Services (AHS) are committed to working together while being as transparent as possible concerning COVID-19 cases.  We are balancing the confidentiality of medical information by keeping parents and staff aware of COVID-19 cases.  We work closely together to ensure necessary measures continue to be in place to protect everyone. 

In total, we were notified of 3 positive cases of COVID-19 within the grade 8 & 9 cohorts who have quarantined since Sunday, November 1.  There are no additional close contacts at the school.  Our school remains open to in-person learning for staff and students. 

As per direction from AHS, the school communicated with applicable parents/guardians that those affected must immediately begin the 14 day quarantine period. 

The principals at BMC, Alder Flats and Winfield schools maintain ongoing communication to ensure family and community connections, and close contacts of the affected students are identified.

Staff are on different return-to-work timelines:

• Staff who are not close contacts of confirmed COVID cases, but have been symptomatic and accessed testing will return to work after a negative test and 24 hours symptom-free.
• Staff who were identified as close contacts will continue to quarantine for the full 14 days (as per AHS requirements) and return to work after the 14 days and once they have a negative test result and are symptom-free.
• Mr. Meyers and Miss Townsend will return to the school on Monday, November 16.  Mrs. Melissa Humby will continue to provide administrative leadership at BMC until Friday, November 13.  

We remind families to monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 using the Alberta Health Daily Checklist.  Please remember to verbally complete the checklist each day prior to attending school.  If you or a member of your family has any of the symptoms of illness listed, please fill out the online Alberta Health Services COVID-19 self-assessment or call Health Link at 811 and stay home.

We continue our focus on preventing the spread of COVID-19 with our strict adherence to health protocols including cohorting of students, hand hygiene, masking, and social distancing measures.  We are confident that with everyone following these protocols, we can continue to keep BMC safe for our students.

We will continue to work closely with AHS and the Medical Officer of Health to ensure that we follow their ongoing recommendations.  The health and safety of our students and staff remain our first priority, and we are confident in the measures we have in place.  Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.  Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely, 

Jon Meyers