Confirmed COVID-19 Case
Hello Fern Family,
It has been a tough day. As the school has indicated, we had our first confirmed COVID-19 case at Fern.
Firstly, we have been expecting this. We are in a pandemic, and the virus did not take the summer off. The numbers were on the rise before school returned and community cases are to be expected.
We know this is scary, but what is important is how we respond as a community, and what steps we take to care for our kids and each other. That is why we are all reducing our bubbles, wearing masks, keeping our distance, washing our hands, and doing what we can to help one another by keeping kids home if they aren't feeling well.
We all need to respond calmly and collaboratively to contain the issue and support our kids.
Here's what we're asking you to do as a community:
Do not panic. The fact we know there is a case means the system is working. A family identified the symptoms, got tested, notified the school, and now the school is working with TPH.
Discourage gossip and blame. You will not be told who the family is, nor will you be told the class they are in unless TPH concludes that your child was in close contact. TPH is working at light speed to trace the contacts. If you happen to know the family, (and let me be clear, we have NO idea who is involved), please keep it to yourself and talk to your children about why this is important. Offer to buy the family some groceries. Set up a meal train. Mow their lawn. Send them a get well card. Unless the family affected want to share that they have a COVID-19 case, it isn't anyone else's business.
Model behaviours that reduce risk. Double-down on the hand-washing, the mask wearing, distancing.
Talk to your children about the importance of all these rules. Calmly help them understand how to protect themselves and others, including through what they say.
Limit your calls to the school. We know you want answers, however, if your child has potentially been exposed, you will hear from TPH. Principal Sardella cannot tell you who it is or which class they are in. We will do our best to act as a go-between for your questions and concerns. This has been an extremely difficult start for the Admin team, and they have a lot to do. The more we can do to streamline communication, the better.
Download the Covid alert app. It can be found here.
What we will be asking of the school:
-Calm and comprehensive communications are key. We will be working with the Administration to make sure you are receiving information you need in a timely and complete manner.
-We will continue to advocate for measures including outdoor classrooms and changes to lunchtime routines. The schools are our partners and we must work productively with them to adapt and respond accordingly.
As always, please email us at fernaveschoolcouncil@gmail.com if you have any suggestions or ideas about how we can work as a community to keep each other safe.
Hang in there friends.
Safe Return Committee