Assessments find shortcomings in COVID safety protocol in Surrey schools

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – Three Fraser Health run environmental safety assessments have revealed Surrey schools could do more to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

From keeping cohorts apart to physical distancing in classrooms and hallways, it appears some Surrey schools are struggling with following the guidelines.

Cambridge Elementary, Newton Elementary, and Panorama Ridge Secondary were all part of the assessment. All of these schools have seen major COVID-19 spread at some point over the past several months. The two elementary schools were forced to close their doors temporarily due to the spread of COVID-19.

Superintendent of Surrey Schools, Jordan Tinney, says the assessments have revealed teachers, staff, and students often let their guard down.

“Again, these are three themes that emerged in each of the three schools, it’s not one or the other,” he told the board of education on Feb. 10.

Following assessments of 3 schools with COVID spread events, @Surrey_Schools Superintendent Jordan Tinney shared findings w the board of education saying more can be done to keep students and teachers safe: pointing to these challenges: More on @NEWS1130https://t.co/2XP3wFRQOq pic.twitter.com/MdgyJgLxbu

— Ash Kelly (@AshDKelly) February 18, 2021

Tinney says the reports reveal that high output activities that involve physical contact are still happening without masks, as are music and gym classes.

The assessments also point to classroom configuration as an ongoing issue and Tinney is asking teachers to do everything they can to improve seating plans.

“I’ll be explicit, so for example some people still think we can have kids sitting in pods where you have desks together and those desks can be turned so that the students are facing each other,” he said.

“Any time that you’re not making the best out of your classroom configuration, it can lead to the further spread,” Tinney explained.

Tinney highlighted to the board that the report found daily health checks to be an important tool in preventing teachers and staff from coming to work sick.

The reports also say it’s important students not share supplies, and Tinney says school instruments should be assigned to individuals for a scheduled period of time and cleaned after use.

“Staff and students still need to do all they can to maintain a physical distance and know that the mask guidelines are in place. They should be wearing masks as well,” he added.

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The province’s mask mandate, announced on Feb. 4, requires all teachers and staff in K-12, as well as all high school students, to wear masks in all indoor areas, including when they are in learning groups.

Elementary students are not forced to wear masks in these spaces, unless they decide to do so.

Exemptions remain in place for those who can’t wear masks for health or behavioural reasons. Students and staff are allowed to remove their masks when they are sitting or standing at their seat or workstation in a classroom, if there is a barrier, or if they are eating or drinking.

Tinney acknowledges it’s nearly impossible to keep kids within their own cohort once the bell rings at the end of the day.

He notes the number of visitors, including parents, also needs to be further limited at Surrey schools.

“The criteria for the review is a rubric that is developed jointly with Fraser Health and it isn’t the school district that does the actual assessment,” Tinney explained, adding environmental health officers lead a small team to conduct the review.

Through the assessment, the team conducts interviews with staff at the specified school, does a physical review of the school, and reviews all of the school’s protocols.

Ritinder Matthew, communications manager with Surrey Schools, says the number of exposures that have resulted in school-based transmission remains low.

“This is a testament to the fact that our staff are following protocols consistent with public health guidelines and recommendations.

“The assessments that were conducted found that our schools are in compliance with health and safety protocols, and that the themes identified are areas of focus that are proven to limit spread,” Matthew explained in an email to NEWS 1130.

‘Teachers have configured and re-configured classes’

The union representing teachers in B.C. has provided its thoughts on the recent assessment findings, saying, “teachers have configured and re-configured classes.”

“The problem is too many people in one small space, making physical distancing impossible,” a tweet from the BC Teachers’ Federation reads.

“Schools need reduced density to help keep everyone safe,” it adds.

#BCed teachers have configured and re-configured classes. The problem is too many people in one small space, making physical distancing impossible. Schools need reduced density to help keep everyone safe. #bcpoli https://t.co/K5Aa058G5K

— BC Teachers’ Federation (@bctf) February 18, 2021

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the superintendent said staff and teachers were failing to complete daily health checks. That was a mischaracterization of the report’s statements and those of the superintendent. The intent of the report was to highlight the key nature of health checks to COVID-19 safety.