Dear parents and caregivers:
As we approach the end of an extraordinary school year and before summer break begins, I wanted to
extend my deep appreciation to you on behalf of our government.
While educators and school leaders faced unprecedented obstacles in keeping schools open and safe – we know you also went above and beyond at home to ensure your children felt supported. You played a vital role in our monumental collective efforts to ensure children could maintain routines, stay on top of schoolwork, and remain connected to friends, educators, and social supports.
I would also like to acknowledge the parents and caregivers whose children could not attend school in
person because of the pandemic. With your children enrolled in transitional or online programs, you
stepped up to assist with learning and supported your children in new ways.
Whether in school or at home, every family in B.C. faced unique challenges. And students will benefit for
years to come from the sacrifices we made this school year.
A brighter future is clearly on the horizon with the Province’s vaccine rollout well underway. Getting
vaccinated not only helps you, but it also helps school communities and communities at large. With
strong participation in vaccinations, we expect a near-normal return to school in the fall.
We will continue to monitor COVID activity over the summer break and rely on guidance from the public
health experts and all education partners as we plan for September. We will update you on those plans later in August.
Until then; have a safe, healthy, and happy summer with family and loved ones.
Thank you again, and we will see you and your children in September!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Whiteside
Minister of Education
mjw-letter-to-parents-2021-final.pdf
