October 1, 2021

Re: Mask Requirements

Dear ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School families, 

Today, the Provincial Health Officer, Bonnie Henry, and Minister of Education, Jennifer Whiteside announced that students in kindergarten to grade 3 will now be required to wear a mask. This mandate is to provide an additional layer of protection against COVID-19 in an effort to continue to keep all school communities safe. 

Starting October 4, 2021 the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board will be following the provincial health order and will be requiring all students in kindergarten to grade 3 to wear a mask inside school, at their desk and on the school bus.  This will now mean that all students, staff and school visitors will be wearing a mask indoors unless clearance has been made for medical reasons or to support student’s with diverse needs. 

As respiratory season is upon us this will also help mitigate the transfer of colds, the flu and other communicable diseases including COVID-19. It is important that parents continue to do a daily health check with your child(ren) and keep them home if they are feeling unwell. 

Schools remain a safe space for students and the majority of COVID-19 cases across B.C. are from social settings. Vaccinations for all eligible individuals remains the best protection for everyone including young children who are not yet eligible to receive the COVID-19 immunization. 

I hope this additional layer of protection with the newly revised mask mandate helps provide families with greater reassurance that the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board is continually working to keep our schools safe.   

If you have any questions, need assistance or require a mask exemption for your child(ren) please reach out to the ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School principal and/or vice-principal. 

Sincerely, 

Curtis Olsen

Administrator