Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan (Jan 2026)

KEY PRINCIPLES

·       Aligning communicable disease prevention measures with public health guidance to support student and staff wellness.

·       Using an inclusive and trauma-informed lens, with a focus on mental health and wellness.

·       Focusing supports to address unique student and staff needs, recognizing the different impacts that communicable diseases may have on individuals and communities.

·       Consulting and working with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples to address the unique educational, if enrolled at the Ark, and learning needs of their specific communities.

·       Engaging and collaborating with parents/caregivers, staff, unions and community partners to develop local solutions when needed.

·       As required by WorkSafeBC, all boards of education, independent school authorities and schools must ensure the health of their workers by ensuring steps are taken to reduce the risk to workers from communicable diseases.

·       The Provincial Health Officer or local Medical Health Officers may issue temporary provincial, regional or local recommendations or orders of additional prevention measures during times of increased communicable disease risk.

TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE

Trauma-informed practice is a compassionate lens of understanding that is helpful to all children, youth and adults, especially those who have experienced traumatic events including the emotional and traumatic impact of a pandemic. Trauma-informed practice includes:

▪ Providing inclusive and compassionate learning environments
▪ Understanding coping strategies
▪ Supporting independence
▪ Helping to minimize additional stress or trauma by addressing individual needs of students and staff

Some students may have experienced elements of trauma during the pandemic. Educators and support staff will be aware of changes in student behavior, including trauma-related behaviors which may include fear; hyperactivity; aggression; body aches and pain; depression; self-harming behaviors; excessive shyness; or withdrawal.

Communicable Disease Prevention Guidance

Public health guidance is included in boxes outlined below, as well as available in the Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools. It provides additional guidance to support our school in developing and reviewing Communicable Disease Prevention Protocols.

SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS

The Ark can create supportive environments for communicable disease prevention by:

·       Having staff model personal practices (e.g., hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette), and assist younger students as needed.

·       Sharing reliable information, including from the BC Centre for Disease Control, Office of the Provincial Health Officer, and local health authorities to parents, families and caregivers.

·       Promoting personal practices in the school (e.g., posters).

·       Ensuring individual choices for personal practices (e.g., choosing to wear a mask or face covering) are supported and treated with respect, recognizing varying personal comfort levels.

·       Providing a designated space (library room) for public health nurses or other qualified health personnel to carry out their duties, including immunizations, hearing screening, as well as function as a safe refuge for privacy, or isolation should a child feel unwell or is exhibiting symptoms of a contagious condition.

·       Following WorkSafeBC guidance so as to provide communication, training, and orientation to ensure the health and safety of school staff. WorkSafeBC communicable disease prevention guidance is aligned with the guidance provided by BCCDC.

VACCINES

·       Vaccines are important tools to protect against serious outcomes of many communicable diseases, such as COVID-19 and influenza. Students and staff are encouraged to ensure they are up to date on all recommended vaccines for communicable diseases.

·       Schools are encouraged to share evidence-based information and promote opportunities to be vaccinated in partnership with public health and the local medical health officer. For administrators and staff, more information on vaccination and communicable disease prevention in the workplace is available in the Work Safe B.C. website. Evidence-based immunization information and tools for B.C. Residents are available from BCCDC and ImmunizeBC websites.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plans

Communicable disease prevention plans focus on reducing the risk of transmission of communicable diseases. The Ark makes our plans available on our school website, as well as post relevant guidelines where useful. The prevention measures outlined below are always in place. During times of increased communicable disease risk, public health may recommend additional prevention measures for the Ark to implement. Over time and circumstances, communicable disease prevention plans will be updated when temporary additional measures are in place.

The Ark will review our communicable disease prevention plans as guidelines are updated, on an annual basis, or as circumstances require and will do so as part of weekly staff committee meetings. Reviews will address areas where there are identified gaps in implementation.

 

EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION DRILLS

Emergency and evacuation planning, and drills will consider communicable disease prevention plans. In the event of an actual emergency, communicable disease prevention measures may be suspended to ensure for a timely, efficient, and safe response.

Environmental Practices

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

BCCDC Guidance: Regular cleaning and disinfection will help prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Cleaning of frequently touched surfaces will occur in line with regular practices and when visibly dirty.

General Cleaning  Regular practice includes the general cleaning of the premises.

Products & Procedures
o For cleaning, use water and detergent (e.g., liquid dishwashing soap), or common, commercially available products, along with good cleaning practices. For hard-to-reach areas, use a brush and rinse thoroughly prior to disinfecting.
o For disinfection, the Ark uses common, commercially available disinfectants. HealthCanada provides information about products with evidence for use against specific communicable diseases which may be useful in selecting products. When cleaning and disinfecting:

  • Always wash hands before and after handling shared objects.

  • Items and surfaces that a person has placed in their mouths or that have been in contact with bodily fluids will be cleaned as soon as possible and between uses by different people.

  • A dishwasher can be used to clean and sanitize dishwasher-safe items if the sanitize setting is used with adequately hot water.

Frequently Touched Surfaces

Cleaning and disinfection activities will focus on spaces that have been utilized by staff or students. Cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces will occur at least once in a 24-hour period and when visibly dirty.
o Frequently touched surfaces are items touched by larger numbers of students and staff. They can include doorknobs, light switches, hand railings, water fountains and toilet handles, as well as shared equipment (e.g., computer keyboards, PE/sports and music equipment), appliances (e.g., microwaves) and service counters (e.g., library circulation desk), and may change from day to day based on utilization. Frequently touched items like toys or manipulatives that may not be able to be cleaned often (e.g., fabrics) or at all (e.g., sand, foam, playdough, etc.) can be used. Carpets and rugs can be used.

Cleaning & Disinfecting Bodily Fluids
Follow these procedures, in conjunction with school policies, when cleaning and disinfecting bodily fluids (e.g., runny nose, vomit, stool, urine):


▪ Wear disposable gloves when cleaning blood or body fluids.
▪ Wash hands before wearing and after removing gloves.
▪ Follow regular health and safety procedures and regularly used PPE (e.g., gloves, protective or woven sleeves) for blood and bodily fluids (e.g., toileting, spitting, biting).

VENTILATION AND AIR EXCHANGE

Ensure all mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed, operated, and maintained as per standards and specifications for ongoing comfort of staff and students and that it is working properly. Windows may be opened when the weather permits if it does not impact the functioning of the ventilation systems.

If there is a power outage or ventilation break down lasting for more than 1 hour, and where HVAC systems are needed for safety and comfort, the instructional day will terminate early and families will be contacted to collect their child.

The combination of outdoor air supply and filtration can significantly influence indoor air quality. The Ark, in conjunction with the landlord (RAC), will regularly maintain HVAC systems for proper operation. Guidance for school ventilation systems offered by ASHRAE includes:

Schools with recycled/recirculated air systems should consider upgrading filters to finer grain filters such as MERV 13 (if possible). Increasing air exchanges by adjusting the HVAC system. Managing air distribution through building automation control systems. Where possible, opening windows if weather permits and HVAC system function will not be negatively impacted. When using air conditioners and fans in ventilated spaces, air should be moved from high places to lower places instead of blowing air directly from one person’s breathing zone to another’s. Avoid horizontal cross breezes. Natural ventilation (operable windows, etc.) and portable HEPA filter units can be considered in regularly occupied rooms which do not have mechanical ventilation systems.

The use of portable air conditioners and fans in unventilated spaces with doors and windows closed will be avoided, except when necessary (e.g., during high or excessive heat events). The Ark will use BCCDC resources, including on Heat Event Response Planning and/or Wildfire Smoke, in planning for excessive heat events, in consultation our health authority for guidance as needed.

HAND HYGIENE

BCCDC Guidance: Rigorous hand washing with plain soap and water or using an effective hand sanitizer reduces the spread of illness. Everyone should practice diligent hand hygiene and schools should facilitate regular opportunities for students and staff to wash their hands. To learn about how to perform hand hygiene, please refer to the BCCDC’s hand hygiene poster.

 

 

The Ark will:

·       Facilitate regular opportunities for hand hygiene.  This can include using portable hand-washing sites and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers ( min 60% alcohol)

·       Ensure hand hygiene supplies are always well stocked including soap, paper towels (or air drier) and where appropriate, alcohol-based hand rub (minimum of 60% alcohol).

·       If hands are visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand sanitizer may not be effective at eliminating microbes. Soap and water are preferred when hands are visibly dirty. If it is not available, use an alcohol-based hand wipe followed by alcohol-based hand rub.

RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE

BCCDC Guidance: Parents and staff can teach and reinforce good respiratory etiquette practices among students, including: Cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue. Throw away used tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene. Refrain from touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Refrain from sharing any food, drinks, unwashed utensils, cigarettes, or vaping devices.

2. Administrative Practices
HEALTH AWARENESS AND WHAT TO DO WHEN SICK

BCCDC Guidance School leadership will ensure that staff, other adults entering the school, parents, caregivers, and students are aware that they should not come to school if they are sick and unable to participate fully in routine activities. School staff and administration can support this practice by communicating the importance of not attending school if sick and unable to participate fully in routine activities.

A health check means a person regularly checking to ensure they (or their child) are not experiencing symptoms of illness that would limit their ability to participate fully in regular activities before coming to school to prevent spread of communicable diseases within the school settings. The Ark is not responsible to monitor staff for symptoms of illness, however must be continuously observing for signs poor health and/or symptoms of common communicable illnesses within the student population

Staff, students, or other persons in the school setting who are exhibiting symptoms of illness, such as respiratory illness, should stay home until they are well enough to participate in regular activities or otherwise advised by a healthcare provider. Those experiencing certain illnesses, such as gastrointestinal illness caused by norovirus, may be advised to stay home for longer. Staff, children, or other persons can attend school if their symptoms are consistent with a previously diagnosed health condition (e.g., seasonal allergies) or symptoms have improved, and are symptom-free for 24 hours, are non-medicated to supress symptomatic effects and that they feel well enough to return to regular activities. If you are unsure or concerned about your symptoms, connect with your health care provider or call 8-1-1.

School administration and staff should ensure that all entering are aware and routinely reminded of their responsibility to practice health awareness, including not coming to school if sick or dangerously drowsy/tired. This can be supported through communications (e.g., emails/letters to parents and staff), orientation activities (e.g., meetings, videos) and other reminders (e.g., signage on doors).

Schools should not require a health care provider note (i.e. doctor’s note) to confirm the health status of any individual, beyond those required to support medical accommodation as per usual practice.

WHAT TO DO WHEN SICK AT SCHOOL/WORK

BCCDC Guidance If a staff member, student, or other person develops symptoms of illness at school and is unable to participate in regular activities, they should be supported to go home until their symptoms have improved or otherwise advised by a healthcare provider. Appropriate infection control precautions should be taken while the person is preparing to leave the school premises, including use of appropriate hand hygiene and cleaning/disinfection of surfaces soiled with bodily fluids, and use of the isolation room (library room ) until exiting the premises. They may use a mask if they are experiencing respiratory symptoms.

School administration and staff should also follow procedures for students and staff who become sick while at school/work.

·       Continue to have non-medical masks on hand for those who have forgotten theirs but would like to wear one (for both the person who is sick and for those who may be assisting them).

·       Make arrangements for the student/staff to go home as soon as possible (e.g., contact student’s parent/caregiver for pick-up). Younger children must be supervised when separated. Supervising staff can wear a mask, should avoid touching bodily fluids as much as possible and practice diligent hand hygiene.

·       Staff responsible for facility cleaning should clean and disinfect the surfaces/equipment which the person’s bodily fluids may have been in contact with while they were ill (e.g., their desk in a classroom, the bathroom stall they used, etc.) prior to the surfaces/equipment being used by others. Cleaning/disinfecting the entire room the person was in (a “terminal” clean) is not required in these circumstances.

·       Request that the individual stay home until symptom-free and feel well enough to participate in all school-related activities.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES/DIVERSE ABILITES AND/OR RECEIVING HEALTH SERVICES

BCCDC Guidance: Staff and those providing services to students with medical complexity, immune suppression, receiving direct or delegated care, or with disabilities and diverse abilities who are in close proximity to a child should follow routine infection control practices and care plans for the child, if applicable.

The Ark will implement communicable disease prevention measures that promote inclusion of students with disabilities/diverse abilities, including social and emotional challenges, i.e. anxiety.

In-class instruction may not be suitable for some children (or families) with a severe immune compromise or medical complexity, which should be determined on a case-by-case basis with a medical care provider. The Ark will seek community guidance to implement regular practices for those needing alternative learning arrangements due to immune compromise or medical complexity to ensure access to learning and supports.

 

Those providing health services that require being in close proximity to a student should follow the student’s individual care plan (if one is in place) and follow standard risk assessment methods to determine what PPE is needed for communicable disease prevention (e.g., gloves for toileting).

The Ark will have ready a supply of non-medical masks on hand for those who have forgotten theirs but wishes to wear one.

SPACE ARRANGEMENT

BCCDC Guidance  In learning environments, the Ark staff will use classroom and learning environment configurations and activities that best meet learner needs and preferred educational approaches.

TRANSPORTATION

BCCDC Guidance For the rare use of school buses for transportation, the Ark should implement the prevention measures included in the BCCDC Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools, where applicable. Buses used for transporting students should have communicable disease prevention measures in place in line with those in place in school, and as applicable.

VISITORS AND COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOLS

BCCDC Guidance Schools can follow normal practices for welcoming visitors, including posted health information at the entrance. Visitors, including community groups using the school, should follow applicable communicable disease prevention measures outlined in this document.

GATHERINGS, EVENTS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

BCCDC Guidance Ark extracurricular, social gatherings and events (including those occurring within and between schools), regardless of location, will operate in line with the BCCDC Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K- 12 Schools. School gatherings and events will have communicable disease prevention measures in place in line with those in place on a regular basis at school. The Ark administration and staff will implement communicable disease prevention practices (e.g., cleaning and disinfecting, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette) specific to the activity.

FIELD TRIPS/TRADES IN TRAINING/WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS

Students enrolled in individual training/work experience programs should follow the communicable disease prevention plan required by the workplace/facility or the field trip venue. Classes (or other similar groupings of students) participating in training/work experience programs or field trips should follow the more stringent measures (if applicable) between the Ark and the facility/field study destination’s communicable disease prevention plans.

 

Personal Practices

HEALTH AWARENESS, HAND HYGIENE AND RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE

Staff and administration will ensure that everyone at the Ark will practice health awareness (including staying home when sick), hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS

BCCDC Guidance The decision to wear a mask is a personal one, based on individual preference. Some students and staff may choose to continue to wear a non-medical mask or face covering throughout the day or for certain activities. The choice of staff and students to choose whether they practice additional personal prevention measures should be respected. Information on non-medical masks is available from BCCDC.

Masks are one layer of protection used to prevent the spread of communicable disease. To be most effective, wearing a mask should be combined with other important protective measures such as getting vaccinated, staying home when sick, and regularly practicing hand hygiene. Masks are most effective when fitted, worn and handled correctly.

The Ark will support those who choose to wear a mask, including:

·       Promoting a supportive school environment for mask wearing through mask-specific messaging, including at assemblies, in announcements, signs, and written communications. Include that some people wear masks to reduce risk of communicable disease and it is important to be respectful of other’s choices. Include evidence-based, trusted information on masks from BCCDC.

·       Community-wide efforts to create safe and inclusive learning environments free from discrimination, bullying and harassment is important while setting, communicating and consistently reinforcing clear expectations that bullying and disrespectful behaviour and conduct related to personal mask use is unacceptable, and our approach will be in line with the Ark’s protocols and practices regarding student code of conduct.

PERSONAL SPACE

Staff and students should be encouraged to respect others’ personal space (the distance from which a person feels comfortable being next to another person).

FOOD SAFETY

BCCDC Guidance Schools that provide food services under the Food Premises Regulation should adhere to the required measures (e.g. a FOODSAFE trained staff member a food safety plan, etc.) For special events or sites requiring food permits, the Ark will consult the health authority environmental health officer. Staff, students, or other persons in our kitchen and school setting to follow routine food safety practices, including diligent hand hygiene. (See BCCDC Food Safety webpage)

Staff and students should be encouraged to not share items that come in contact with the mouth (e.g., food, drinks, unwashed utensils, cigarettes, vaping devices). Shared-use items that touch the mouth should be cleaned and disinfected between uses by different individuals (e.g., water bottles, instrument mouth pieces).

Section 3: Administrator Protocols for Managing Communicable Disease Activity at School

BCCDC Guidance  Most communicable diseases experienced by students and staff in school can be managed by the individual/family and through routine preventative measures, such as staying home from school until well enough to participate in regular activities. Information resources are available to support management of routine communicable diseases, including HealthLink BC, the BCCDC Guide to Common Childhood Diseases, and other school health resources hosted on health authority webpages (Vancouver Coastal Health; Fraser Health; Interior Health; Island Health; Northern Health).

Public health works closely with education partners to support the health and wellbeing of students and staff in school settings. Public health may become directly involved if certain reportable diseases, such as measles, are identified where there are effective interventions available to prevent further spread and protect against severe disease. Additional time-limited public health measures may also be implemented at the discretion of the Medical Health Officer or the Provincial Health Officer in response to broader risk of communicable disease transmission in the community. School or district administrators can contact public health if they have concerns about communicable disease transmission within our school setting and require additional support.

Communication and Protecting Personal Privacy

Provincial Medical Health Officers play the lead role in determining if, when and how to communicate health information regarding increased communicable disease activity within the Ark to our school community. The Ark routinely communicates the need to practice health awareness and to stay home when sick to our staff and school community, including following public health measures, if in place. To protect personal privacy and to support accuracy, the Ark will exercise restraint in providing communicable disease notifications beyond when they are recommended by public health.

Functional Closures

A functional closure is the temporary closure of the Ark is determined by the school principal or school administration as a result of lack of staffing to provide the required level of teaching, supervision, support, and/or custodial care to ensure the health and safety of students. This would likely be due to a high number of staff or certain employees away who are required for a school to function, and the inability to temporarily replace them. The Ark will notify our Medical Health Officer and the Ministry of Education and Child Care (erase@gov.bc.ca) when they are considering or implementing a functional closure.

A general public health closure of the Ark would be the temporary closing of a school ordered by a Medical Health Officer when they determine it is necessary to prevent the excessive transmission of a communicable disease.

Section 4: Key Contacts, Additional Resources & Links

  • Board of Education questions regarding collective agreements or employment related matters can be directed to the BC Public School Employers’ Association.

  • Medical Health Officer Contact Information by Health Authority (general inquiries):

  • Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health T: 1 800 204 6166 / (604) 918-7532 / (604) 527-4893

·       Resources for parents/caregivers of children with disabilities and diverse abilities

·       Provincial Outreach Programs are available to support boards/authorities through professional learning, resources, consultation and training during recovery.

·       Indigenous Education in British Columbia

·       Indigenous Education Teaching Tools and Resources

·       BC Tripartite Education Agreement (BCTEA)

·       Métis Nation BC Chartered Communities

·       WorkSafeBC Communicable disease prevention (G-P2-21)

·       WorkSafeBC Communicable disease prevention: A guide for employers

·       WorkSafeBC Communicable disease prevention webpage

·       Building Compassionate Communities in a New Normal - webinar

·       Linda O’Neill – Trauma Informed in the Classroom

  • MCFD: Healing Families, Helping Systems: A Trauma-Informed Practice Guide for Working with Children, Youth and Families

  • North American Centre for Threat Assessment & Trauma Response: Education as a Special Consideration

  • Office of the Provincial Health Officer

  • Special Educational Services: A Manual of Policy, Practices and Guidelines (point of reference providing legislation, policy and guidelines to support the delivery of inclusive education supports and services)

  • MCFD: Healing Families, Helping Systems: A Trauma-Informed Practice Guide for Working with Children, Youth and Families