Schools

Fraser Health assuring parents in-person classes are safe. (The News files)

Low attendance prompts assurance from Fraser Health that schools are safe

Schools in SD42 recorded absenteeism more than 10 per cent higher than historical average

Fraser Health assuring parents in-person classes are safe. (The News files)
Children walk with their parents to Sherwood Park Elementary in North Vancouver for the first day back-to-school Thursday, September 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. school staff must provide COVID vaccine status following new public health order

New order dated Jan. 17 says that non-identifying info must be provided to medical health officer

Children walk with their parents to Sherwood Park Elementary in North Vancouver for the first day back-to-school Thursday, September 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
School District 83 announced, due to a staffing shortage, a two-day functional closure of Armstrong Elementary on Jan. 14 and 17 was being extended to Jan. 21. (File photo )

Okanagan school temporarily closes as teachers refuse to work, citing student mask exemptions

Initial ‘functional closure’ announced after teachers refuse work

School District 83 announced, due to a staffing shortage, a two-day functional closure of Armstrong Elementary on Jan. 14 and 17 was being extended to Jan. 21. (File photo )
Alberta students board a school bus, as they return to school today for the first time since their holiday break was extended due to surging COVID-19 cases, near Cremona, Alta., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

For some Canadian students, school disruptions have become routine

Students have spent nearly two years dealing with COVID restrictions

Alberta students board a school bus, as they return to school today for the first time since their holiday break was extended due to surging COVID-19 cases, near Cremona, Alta., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A message sent to parents from SD42 was meant to clarify questions from families and staff about Fraser Health’s new COVID-19 contact tracing guidelines for students in kindergarten to Grade 12 settings. (THE NEWS/files)

Positive COVID-19 tests no longer need to be reported to Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows schools

Message from SD42 clarifies Fraser Health’s new guidelines surrounding COVID-19 contact tracing

A message sent to parents from SD42 was meant to clarify questions from families and staff about Fraser Health’s new COVID-19 contact tracing guidelines for students in kindergarten to Grade 12 settings. (THE NEWS/files)
A student arrives at school as teachers dressed in red participate in a solidarity march to raise awareness about cases of COVID-19 at Ecole Woodward Hill Elementary School, in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. parents told to have a ‘low threshold’ for keeping sick kids home from school

Any fever should result in child staying home from the classroom

A student arrives at school as teachers dressed in red participate in a solidarity march to raise awareness about cases of COVID-19 at Ecole Woodward Hill Elementary School, in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Students sit together at the relocated New Westminster Secondary School, in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. An official opening of the new school was held on Thursday near the now shuttered former school which was built on a cemetery in the 1940s. The cemetery was used as a potter’s field where the bodies of prisoners, the poor and unidentifiable residents were buried. The land was also used by Indigenous, Chinese and Sikh communities to bury those who died. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

K-12 students head back to school in B.C. amid new COVID notification system

Parents to only be notified of exposures when attendance drops below ‘typical’ rates

Students sit together at the relocated New Westminster Secondary School, in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. An official opening of the new school was held on Thursday near the now shuttered former school which was built on a cemetery in the 1940s. The cemetery was used as a potter’s field where the bodies of prisoners, the poor and unidentifiable residents were buried. The land was also used by Indigenous, Chinese and Sikh communities to bury those who died. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Classroom chairs (Pixabay photo)

Ex-Burnaby teacher disciplined for engaging in ‘inappropriate physical contact’ with students

Teacher had female students volunteer for project about ‘athleticism’

Classroom chairs (Pixabay photo)
Harry Dhillon, superintendent for School District 42, says district leadership are meeting to review existing and enhanced COVID safety measures at schools. (Special to The News)

SD42 leadership reviewing school COVID safety measures as Omicron spreads

Reviewing existing and new enhanced measures before school resumes Jan. 10

Harry Dhillon, superintendent for School District 42, says district leadership are meeting to review existing and enhanced COVID safety measures at schools. (Special to The News)
Most students returning to class Monday, Jan. 10. (The News files)

SD42 DPAC chair supports PHO for phased-in return to school order

Most students in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows will return to school Jan. 10

Most students returning to class Monday, Jan. 10. (The News files)
Students walk through a corridor at the relocated New Westminster Secondary School, in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. schools to have a staggered re-start in January; essential workers’ kids return first

All K-12 students will be in class as of Jan. 10

Students walk through a corridor at the relocated New Westminster Secondary School, in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
An empty classroom is pictured at Eric Hamber Secondary school in Vancouver, B.C. Monday, March 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. Teachers Federation wants delay of school restart as COVID-19 cases surge

Union wants N95 masks, rapid testing among other safety measures

An empty classroom is pictured at Eric Hamber Secondary school in Vancouver, B.C. Monday, March 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Harry Dhillon, superintendent for School District 42, is warning students and their families to check COVID-19 restrictions before travelling this holiday season. (SD42/Special to The News)

SD42 warning families to check restrictions around holiday travel

Check Government of Canada website advises Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows school superintendent

Harry Dhillon, superintendent for School District 42, is warning students and their families to check COVID-19 restrictions before travelling this holiday season. (SD42/Special to The News)
Maple Ridge secondary students Gibran Buchahin, Lynn Milburn, and Lou Prokopenko raise money for the Salvation Army kettle campaign outside ValleyFair Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 15. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)

Wellness students ring bells with good vibes for the Salvation Army in Maple Ridge

MRSS Wellness program gives students strategies to live their best life

Maple Ridge secondary students Gibran Buchahin, Lynn Milburn, and Lou Prokopenko raise money for the Salvation Army kettle campaign outside ValleyFair Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 15. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
One or two vehicles damaged a field at Samuel Robertson Technical over the weekend. (Carolyne Breedveld/Facebook)

Vandals damage field at Maple Ridge school

Field located at north west side of Samuel Robertson Technical

One or two vehicles damaged a field at Samuel Robertson Technical over the weekend. (Carolyne Breedveld/Facebook)
Custom pet portraits by the student led Animal Aid and Welfare Club at Westview Secondary School. (Special to The News)

Maple Ridge student group using artistic talents to raise money for ARMS

Original holiday cards for sale and custom portraits by commission

Custom pet portraits by the student led Animal Aid and Welfare Club at Westview Secondary School. (Special to The News)
Korleen Carreras was reelected as school board chair. (The News files)

No change to school board chair and vice chair after elections

Korleen Carreras and Elaine Yamamoto will be going into their fourth terms

Korleen Carreras was reelected as school board chair. (The News files)
Yennadon Grade 7 students from left, Simran Naicker, Anna Jordison, Violet Forgie, and Finley Ramage, roll coins after the school’s Flood the Valley With Care fundraiser. (Special to The News)

Students at Maple Ridge school raise thousands for flood victims

Yennadon students also raising money for Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society

Yennadon Grade 7 students from left, Simran Naicker, Anna Jordison, Violet Forgie, and Finley Ramage, roll coins after the school’s Flood the Valley With Care fundraiser. (Special to The News)
School board chair Korleen Carreras. (The News files)

No vaccine mandate for teachers or school staff in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

B.C. Teachers’ Federation study: 94 per cent of teachers fully vaccinated

School board chair Korleen Carreras. (The News files)
Arley Midgley is concerned schools are not equipped with staff trained to give first aid to children. (The News files)

Maple Ridge mother wants staff at schools trained in first aid for children

SD 42 says the standard of care required of staff is that of a “prudent parent”

Arley Midgley is concerned schools are not equipped with staff trained to give first aid to children. (The News files)