The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve in BC, Canada, and internationally. This page will share the latest information from the First Nations Education Steering Committee, the First Nations Schools Association, and the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association about impacts to our events or operations due to COVID-19, and links to external resources that we hope will be helpful and informative for First Nations schools, First Nations communities, and our partners.
For the latest news, see the BC Government News, First Nations Health Authority, and BC Centre for Disease Control.
Organizational Updates and Responses
- 03/09/2021 Planning Resources for First Nations Schools
- 24/08/2021 New Public Health Guidance for K-12 Settings
- 15/07/2021 Update on Return to Campus Guidelines for Public Post-Secondary Institutions
- 09/07/2021 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools: Outlook for the 2021-22 School Year
- 08/07/2021 Update on K-12 Recovery and September Planning for Public and Non-First Nation Independent Schools
- 01/06/2021 COVID-19 Planning Resource: Graduation
- 27/05/2021 Recording of Post-secondary Virtual Town Hall with Dr. Bonnie Henry
- 12/05/2021 New COVID-19 Travel Restrictions, and Provincial Health Officer Workplace and Post-Secondary Institution Safety Order
- 26/04/2021 First Nations can apply for grants to address COVID-related learning loss. Apply by May 28, 2021.
- 22/04/2021 COVID-19 School Rapid Response Team Support Available to First Nations Schools
- 16/04/2021 Updated COVID-19 Supplies Offer for First Nations Schools
- 01/04/2021 Updated Mask Guidance for K-12 Schools, March 30, 2021
- 30/03/2021 Update for IAHLA Institutes re: New COVID-19 Province-wide Restrictions in Place Until April 19, 2021
- 16/03/2021 Update to PSE Coordinators re: the Return to On-Campus Learning this September
- 12/03/2021 Update to Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association Institutes
- 09/03/2021 Update on the $8.2M in Federal Safe Return to Class Funds for BC First Nations
- 02/03/2021 Updated FNESC/FNSA First Nation Schools Reopening Considerations and Template
- 25/02/2021 Updated Ministry of Education Guidance for K-12 Schools
- 11/02/2021 Provincial Supply Hub Bulk Pricing Announcement
- 08/02/2021 Updated Public Health Guidance for K-12 School Settings
- 11/12/2020 New Provincial COVID-19 Restrictions Q&As for First Nations Schools
- 07/12/2020 Ministry of Education K-12 Sector Questions and Answers Re: New Provincial COVID-19 Restrictions
- 27/10/2020 COVID-19 Funding Resources Update
- 20/10/2020 BCANDS Indigenous Support for Student Learning Program – Technology Support
- 16/10/2020 COVID-19 Supply Hub Inventory Update
- 25/09/2020 Updated First Nation Schools Reopening Considerations and Template
- 22/09/2020 Protocols for Management of Illness and Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, First Nation Schools
- 18/09/2020 Updated COVID-19 Public Health Guidance and Provincial Health Guidelines for K-12 School Settings
- 10/09/2020 Health and Safety Orientation Checklist for First Nation Schools
- 04/09/2020 School Reopening Grants for BC First Nation Schools
- 21/08/2020 Ministry of Education COVID-19 Operational Guidelines for School Districts and Independent School Authorities
- 20/08/2020 First Nation Schools Reopening Considerations and Template
- 19/08/2020 Updates to Ministry of Education’s Restart Plan, Funding for First Nation Schools, WorkSafeBC Protocols, and Available Personal Protective Equipment
- 31/07/2020 School Restart Information: Supports for First Nations and First Nation Schools
- 15/06/2020 Extended Reporting Deadlines, FNESC/FNSA Programs
- 29/05/2020 Financial Support for PSE Students Specific to COVID-19
- 27/05/2020 Considerations for Re-Opening BC First Nation Schools
- 15/05/2020 Public Health Guidance for K-12 School Settings
- 08/05/2020 Online Learning Resources and Privacy Considerations
- 01/05/2020 Supporting Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 27/04/2020 Edition 2, Suggestions for Continuous Learning
- 24/04/2020 Health and Hygiene Considerations for First Nations Schools
- 16/04/2020 Tripartite Communication re: LEAs, targeted funding and transportation funding
- 15/04/2020 Update to First Nations Leadership: Impact of COVID-19 on First Nations Education
- 14/04/2020 Suggestions for Families: Supporting Learning at Home
- 30/03/2020 Travel Claim Submission by Email and Electronic Funds Transfer
- 27/03/2020 Update from FNESC re Suggestions for Continuous Learning Phase 1
- 26/03/2020 Update for PSE Coordinators on the FNESC Resource Line, Payment of Living Allowance During Suspension of Classes and Emergency Assistance Funding
- 24/03/2020 School and Program Funding, Reporting Deadlines, and Continued Learning Opportunities
- 18/03/2020 Update from FNESC re Changes to Operations
- 17/03/2020 Update from FNESC and FNSA Boards re Suspension of Classes after March Break
- 16/03/2020 Update from FNESC to First Nations Schools and Communities, FNESC Services and Events Update
- 11/03/2020 Cancellation Notice, First Nations Schools Association Conference and AGM, Apr. 2-4, 2020
- 11/03/2020 Cancellation Notice, Provincial Meeting on First Nations Education Governance for First Nations Schools, Mar. 30, 2020
Resources
- BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Child care and Schools
- BCCDC Common Questions for Schools
- BCCDC, COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 School Settings
- WorkSafeBC Protocols for K-12 Education
- Provincial COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines for K-12 Settings
- Operational Guidelines for School Districts and Public Health Authorities
- First Nations Health Authority has a new COVID-19 web portal, which features information for individuals, health professionals, and community leaders.
Additional Resources
- BCCDC’s Cleaning and Disinfectants for Public Settings
- Health Canada’s list of hard-surface disinfectants for use against coronavirus (COVID-19)
- List of Hand Sanitizers Authorized by Health Canada
- Federal Guidance for School Bus Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- COVID-19 Measures, Updates and Guidance for Road Issued by Transport Canada
- COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for Child Care Settings
- WorkSafeBC Restaurants, cafes, pubs, and nightclubs: Protocols for returning to operation
- Health Canada COVID-19 Guidance for Schools Kindergarten to Grade 12 (contains additional information that could be useful)
- World Health Organization COVID-19 Considerations for Schools
- Ministry of Education Information for School Districts & Independent Schools, including operating guidelines
- BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool
- BCCDC’s posters, including hand washing poster
- COVID-related mask use information
- World Health Organization Guidance on the Use of Masks in the Context of COVID-19