December 17, 2021: Letter to families from Superintendent Harry Dhillon

Dear families,

On behalf the Board of Education and all Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District staff, I want to wish you and your family a joyful and relaxing holiday season.

I recognize this last year, like the one before, has been a challenge for students and families. Despite these obstacles, your patience and perseverance has helped bring a sense of normalcy to our school communities and I look forward to following with great pride the continued success and accomplishments of our students in the new year.

If your family is planning to travel during the holidays, I encourage you to review the latest federal guidance on travel restrictions and/or quarantine measures. Because these rules and restrictions are subject to change, I would recommend that you visit the Government of Canada Travel website directly at https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid. More specific information regarding travel-related testing and quarantine requirements for unvaccinated children under 12 and unvaccinated youth before a return to school can be found on this page: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada#children.

Finally, I have included below an important message from the Ministry of Education regarding a safe holiday season.

As we get ready for some much-needed time off, I want to wish all of you a safe and happy holiday. Our school communities are looking forward to welcoming students back to their classrooms on Monday, January 3, 2022, after this well-deserved break.

Sincerely,

Harry Dhillon
Superintendent of Schools

 

Message from the Ministry of Education: Following Public Health Guidance for a Safe Holiday Season

COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities. Amid emerging evidence about the Omicron variant of COVID-19, it is imperative that everyone continues to follow BC’s public health guidance and use layers of protection to keep everyone safe throughout the holiday season.

It is also important that everyone receive all doses of COVID-19 vaccine for which they are eligible, including booster doses when available. If you haven’t already, register now to book a vaccine appointment and receive an invitation when you are eligible to get another dose.

The Provincial Health Officer strongly encourages everyone to limit holiday gatherings to family and trusted friends who have been vaccinated, and to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada. Connecting with the people we love and care for is important and we encourage everyone to have a small, safe and happy holiday.